The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-08-13
MANY QUESTIONS
TO Be SETTLED BY
LEGISLATURE
1t. Gov. PrOuty interviewed on
the Campaign
WILL OPEN AT BURLINGTON
Urges Republicans to Seriously Con.
slider Several important Problems
Now Before the Party

Burlington, Aug. 1.-THE Free
Press publishes the following special
despatch from Newport:
Newport, Aug. 10.-The Hon. Geo.
Ii. Prouty, republican candidate for
the governorship, questioned in re-
gard to statements more or less gen.
eral in the public press that there are
no important issues involved in the
State campaign, gives out an interest
ing interview concerning the way
things Aappear to him. Regard
ing his political engagements for this
week he said: Il shall meet the
county and town republican commit
tees of Rutland county at Rutland
Wednesday, and of Windham county
at Brattleboro Thursday. Friday eve
ming | shall be back in Newport TO
take part in the opening campaign
rally and flag-raising In this town.
My first formal address of the cam
paign will be given at Burlington on
the evening of Wednesday, August
l19.
Il have seen some Of the state
ments going the rounds of the papers
TO the effect that there are no impor.
tant issues in the State campaign,
and | confess that In effect | have
said about the same thing myself.
Any such statements are subject to
modification and there should be
thorough understanding as to their
real meaning.
There is Danger Of Apathy.
$50 far as the platform of the Re
publican and Democratic parties in
this state Indicate, there are no great
differences that may be expected to
create much discussion. Even the
democratic candidate for governor
has stamped with his approval the
record OF the present administration
and In his public addresses has called
for continuance along the same lines
OF course, with such harmony of
agreement in the two parties as re-
CARDS state issues, there is danger OF
more apathy than should lie In a
presidential year. 1t is likely to die
tate feeling that things are going all
right and that II will make no differ.
ence whether a full vote gets out or
not. Nothing could be a greater mis-.
take than this.
IF issues are somewhat absent, as
between the parties, there are many
great and important auctions that
will come before the next Legislature
land upon which the most lucid dis.
cussion should be heard during the
progress of the campaign. For in
stance there is the question of taxa.
ton. The report of the special com
mission that has been engaged in
making an exhaustive investigation of
taxation conditions in this state, has
been made public. That report
should be studied with great care and
made matter OF further discussion
that its full meaning may be under
stood as soon as possible. Some
settlement of this vexatious question
should be secured during the next
session of the Legislature.
Should Improve Schools
Another question Is continued i'm.
provement of the common schools
along lines where 1t has been already
started. Some democrats have been
making unpleasant remarks in refer.
ence to illiteracy in Vermont. This is
less a matter of politics than of good
government irrespective of parties,
but II is subject in which all the PEG
pie are interested. And If Vermonts
rank in literacy is lower than II
should be, 1t is our business to take
every step possible to raise 1t.
Provision for the Improvement OF
our highway is still far from being
complete, and this is proper subject
for all voters to consider. IL the
way can be seen to make larger ap.
preparations by the state for the ad.
vancement of this work, 1t should be
Idone.
I'm past utterances, have urged
the need of placing public service COT
porations under state control Now
only the railroads are subject to this
supervision. Other utilities like tele,
phone, telegraph and express com
panies, should not be overlooked In
this respect. While | would not be
understood as arguing for an in
creased number of state commissions
TO accomplish this complete super
vision, | believe that steps should be
taken along the lines indicated.
, Public Service Commission.
If all public service corporations
can be placed under the control oil
one commission, backed by streng
thening of the power now given the
railroad commission, that perhaps
would be solution of the matter. In
any event, the control should be pro
vided for and In order that the best
way to accomplish this may be indi
Gated as early as possible, II seems
to me proper subject for discussion
during the campaign.
Another subject is the changing Of
our laws regarding the administra
ton of justice In our lower courts.
have previously remarked upon thu
, advisability OF the establishment o
district courts for all cases Of minol
= consequence. Some OF our neighbor
Ing New England States have haC
/, such courts In successful operation
!, for a number of years. and so far a.
| am informed, the system is highl.
= satisfactory in those states. The idei
: contemplates a competent lawyer L
. preside over such petty courts and
!, consequent acceleration Of the cours
|, lof justice without consuming tn
= time and attention of the highe
a courts.
Vermont Should Advertise
"Still another topic that the stat