The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-10-08
NEW GOVERNOR
INAUGURATED
Transfer to State AdminiStra-
tion To-day
TWO MESSAGES HEARD
Ex-Governor Proctor Presented His Last
Word This Forenoon, and Cover
nor Prouty His This After
noon.
State House, Oct. 8.

State House, Oct g.
Lieutenant Governor George II.
Prouty Of Newport was this afternoon
maugurated as governor Of Vermont,
following report of the Joint canvass
ing committee Of the legislature that
bic had been elected to that Office by a
plurality of 2o,0i5 over James T. Burke
Democrat, of Burlington and by ma
jority of 2G,sI7. Governor Prouty's
former position is filled by John A.
Mead Of Rutland.
The only other changes in the state
officers was that Of Guy W. Bailey OF
Essex for secretary of state, vice Fred
Criek G. Fleetwood Of MoFristown, and
John G. Sargent Of Ludlow for attor-
ney general, vice, G. G. Fits of Brat
tleboro. State Treasurer Edward H.
Deavitt of Montpelier and State Auditor
Horace L. Granam of Craftsbury were
to Office
The retiring message of Governor
Proctor was read before the Joint as
sembly this forenoon, / at its close
the speaker was given hearty round
of applause. Governor Prouty read his
inaugural this afternoon
Governor Prouty in his inaugural mes.
sage advocates the adjustment OF OIL.
sets in tax inventories and the creation
Of tax commission, the establishment
OF district courts, the enactment OF an
employers liability act, the extension
Of the powers OF the railroad commission
to cover telephone and telegraph COM
panies and the changing OF its name to
that OF public service commission, the
creation OF an independent insurance de-
partment and that provision be made TO
better advertise Vermont.
Gov. Prouty in. his message says;
During the last session OF the legisla
turega great deal OF progressive legisla-
lion was passed which has proved OF
great benefit to the state. our schools,
our highways, our courts, and the gem
arai administration of the affairs Of
state have been greatly improved there
oy. aud it should be your duty to see
hat no backward step is taken 50 far
Is these reforms are concerned, but on
.he contrary you should use every en-
leayor to see that every advantage gain
d is retained, and such improvements
made along these lines as may seem TO
rou proper.
Taxation.
For some time there has been feeling
hat there is something radically wrong
With our system OF taxation, and there
las been much discussion as to the prop.
II remedy.
The question about which there has
,een the most discussion is that Of dou
lie taxation, but in my Judgment the |
hief evil is not double taxation, but |
yasion of taxation. To show the cor
ectness of this view, it is only necessary /
D call your attention to a few facts as
hown by the report of the commis |
# state taxes for 1908 That report /
hows that in 1900 personal property to
he value OF S40Ssl ,676 was returned I
With offsets for debts owing OF ST, ,l77,- /
50. leaving an AMOUNT OF personal prop
rty which was taxed OF Sl3,I04,3S7 In /
90S there was returned personal prop I
rty to the value of S43,36D964. but I
here were offsets for debts owing Of /
81 1882. leaving Sll 597 420 which
ras taxed, 81. l06.0G7 less in 1908 than
4 1900, showing conclusively that the /
vssion of taxation OF personal property
gradually increasing; because we can
OF believe that, with the general pros
Gritty which has been experienced dur
ne the past eight years the amount of
ersonal property actually owned within
he state has decreased in value to this.
mount. On the contrary, we are forced /
B the conclusion that taxpayers have
OF been honest in their returns. but
ave sought in various ways either to
ecrease the amount of personal property
,turned or TO increase the amount Of
fTsets claimed as deductions for debts
wing. Having reached this conclusion
nd believing that such a state of af-
urs should not be allowed to exist,
commend that all offsets for debts ow-
lg be abolished, do this fully realiz
lg that in some eases this may work
hardship and that in theory it is not
bsolutely correct, but | believe in prac
&C that it will come nearer being just
nd equitable to the whole body OF tax
ayers than the present law
One OF the greatest evils Of the present
stem is the manner of its administers
on
There should be created a central body
! commission whose duty it shall be
, have in charge the administration
the law, and act as board of equali
ltion, thus insuring the greatest pos
BILE unfirmity. Such body should hold
eetings annually before April ], which
rery lister should be compelled to at
nd for the purpose of receiving instrue.
on as to the administration of the law.
lch a commission might also be EN-
,wered to collect such statistics and
formation as would be of benefit in
rther perfecting the law /, therefore,
commend tnat such commission be
eated. to consist OF three members, OF
hieh the commissioner of state taxes
all be the chairman. also recon-
end that the present law taxing intan-
BILE property, such as stocks, bonds, +,
Vi similar evidences Of debt, except ,,
e stock of national banks. be repealed
ia that law be enacted taxing this ,
nd of property at uniform low rate
roughout the state. the tax TO be col !.
sted as a state tax. ] am well aware I.
at this is another case that theoreti-
lly NAV not seem right, but I believe
at, in practice, it viii #ork out with
Continued on fourth page, G