Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-01-20

tee on taxation composed OF the ablest
m an from both house and senate unan-
imously recommend it and the senate
voted for it by vote of "a to 4. The
old argument that offsets were the
farmers salvation has been chased to
the woods. and the banks. lumbermen.
manufacturers. merchants and dealers
have had to come out into the open
ing One-half of all the farmers in
the house voted to abolish offsets: but
the merchants, lumbermen, manufac-
turers and bank directors were almost
unanimous in defeating the measure.
That is why say that the published list
of members together with their tax
inventories would be interesting read
ing and would prove my statement of a
few weeks ago when | said that one
half the members who voted against
the bill did so for their own personal
interests.
The only thing we may expect from
this session of the legislature in re-
gard to tax reform will be the pas
sage Of the so.called Bacon bill. The
original bill was drawn by Represen-
tative John L. Bacon of White River
Junction. The bill has been careful
" revised by the present state tax
commissioner. j. E. Cushman. The
bill is as long as Hudson Bay sun
set but is very comprehensive and will
give the state proper enforcement
of existing tax laws. About the only
radical change in existing tax laws is
that in order to take advantage of an
offset on April l it will be necess-
airy to file statement of the debt
with the town clerk before the 18th
day of January preceding and then be-
tween the 1st and 18th days Of April
to file an itemized statement Of the
debt together with the name and ad-
dress Of the creditor. all of which
shall be accompanied by an affidavit
stating that the debt is an honest
debt due and growing and was not con-
tracted for the purpose of evading
| taxes. The commission is given
| power to look into all tax matters,
| summon witnesses, examine books
and papers and prosecute for perjury.
The commission must visit every
town in the state and instruct listers
as to their duties and may remove
listers for failure or nelect in their
performance Of their duties. They
must see to it that all towns ap-
praise property at it's true value in
money. This will insure a uniform
appraisal all over the state and will
prevent the competition between
towns which are now trying to keep
the grand list as low as possible on
account of the state. school and high
way taxes. 1t will also materially in
crease the grand list of the several
towns and thereby reduce the tax rate,
perhaps enough so that it will be prof.
liable to carry six per cent mortgage
and still pay local taxes on it. This
tax bill will correct many of the abuses
under the present system and it may
be better for the state to have two
years honest enforcement of the pres.
ent. law before we make any radical
change in the system of taxation.
The one other matter of Importance
for this session is the disposition of the
normal school questions. 1t now seems
probable that the three schools will
not be discontinued at present but a
reasonable appropriation will be made
to keep them up and a start will be
made toward the central school which
80 many of the state educators seem
to wish. It is understood the commit.
tee favor about $780, 900 for the present
schools and about $50. 200 as a starte,
for the central school.
The question of adjournment has
been talked of 80 many times it begins
to lose interest. The members all hope
they may be able to get away from
Montpelier for keeps not later thar
Saturday.
u COLBY STODDARD.