Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-07-30
THAT ABSOLUTE EXEMPTION.

The absolute trustee exemption plank
in the Republican state platform Is get
ting some attention, now that 1t has been
adopted as q declared policy Of the party
and the pledge given that it would be en-
acted. The especial point that we tried
to make in former reference to this
matter was that the platform declaration
was not clearly understood by the greater
number of delegates who voted for 1t,
and that il it had been, and opportunity
offered for its treatment and discussion,
perhaps different action might have been
taken.
We believe in party platforms and that
they should make general statements OF
party policies, so that the voter can deter
mine from them what the party stands
for and act accordingly; also in order that,
having gone on record. the successful
party may be held up to its promises.
But we believe it is possible to overdo
this platform business by going into a
mass of details that are more properly left
to the province OF the lsw-making body.
1t is very easy, for instance, for one or q
few men with crotchets in their heads,
who fud places on a committee on resolu-
tions to insert planks not altogether clear
in import that go through with the rest
Of the platform in the unthinking way
that conventions have at this stage.
Thus, for committee on resolutions to
treat the most minute details of proposed
legislation and to commit the party to
them virtually transfers the act of law
making to the closets of political con-
vention, with all the not entirely or al
ways wholesome concomitants OF these
situations. Indeed, a loyal Republican,
elected as a member OF the next assembly,
might be excused for hesitating in the
performance of all things and everything
promised in the Montpelier platform,
when he recalls the oath be takes as a
member that be twill not propose, or
assent to, any bill, vote or resolution,
which shall appear to you injurious to
the people"
As to this particular trustee exemption,
it is admitted that opinions differ about it
on the ground of public policy. wheth-
err virtually abolishing the trustee pro-
cess, as it relates TO wages, while continu-
ing its effect toward other classes OF debt,
is not injurious to the conduct of bus
mess, is not an unwarrsnted -discrimina-
ton, and would not, in its ultimate effect
of closing the credit system to many
wage earDers, do more harm where harm
should not be done than it would benefit
where benefit is justly deserved, is a ques-
tion over which men would not all agree.
One argument for the change, included
in q clipping from the Union Signal
printed elsewhere on this page, IL that
the wage Garner hasn't a fair shake, as
things stand, in the matter of attachment
exemptions, compared with the farmer.
merchant and professional man, and that
the proposed absolute trustee exemption
would tend to even the scales In gianc-
ing through the list of articles exempt
4
hard to say that more Of them would be
found in the home or in the possession of
one class than OF another. II is a mis-
take to assume that the wage Garner is i'm
or independence, to whom legislative fav-
ors should be dealt out beyond all pro-
portion to those going to other classes.
Taking them altogether, we believe the
sums for service will compare very favor
ably on the average with those OF farm
ers, merchants and professional men. to
say nothing of the additional risk, worry
and responsibility these latter incur As
to the incomes of wage earners that fall
below this limit, and might therefore
claim special consideration, they are
pretty well protected by the present trus-
tee limit OF $40. There is scarcely one of
the special attachment exemptions, too,
but that the ordinary wage Garner having
home does not profit by, when collec-
tions are pressed.
AS to the argument that it would be a
good thing anyway to force the wage
Garner onto a cash payment basis by the
indirect operation Of a law OF the proposed
kind, since the merchant, in order to pro-
tect himself, would not dare extend cred
it to the person of uncertain financial
standing, it embodies a widening OF the
question that even the trainers OF the
platform would scarcely assent to. IL
any class would be injured by a'refusal of
credit, and would thereby be compelled
to seek assistance or charity, it is the
class OF Iaborers who are now trusted be-
cause they have job and wages, and be-
cause their wages are subject to trustee pro.
cess.
That Trustee Plank