Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-04-15
What the Small Towns Lose BY Re-
cuced representation.

The small towns, which are largely in
the majority, are asked to surrender their
representatives. They are expected to de-
part from the time-honored custom Of a
century Of electing one OF their number
to represent them in their law-msking
body.
IS a matter OF sentiment and deep
personal pride OF any account in this
connection? We believe it is and a thing
that cannot be easily overlooked. But by
those bent on reducing the representa-
tion this viii be received in q spirit of
ridieule.
However, one Of the best guarantees OF
what the small towns would lose in the
future would be to show what they have
gained in the past, purely through the
weight of members.
In 1890 the per cent state school tax
law was passed. In 1900 this was raised
to s per cent. This takes from the larger
towns and apportions to the smaller q
larger tax than they-the smaller towns
pay into the state treasury.
II will bother the most ardent advo-
Gates of reduced representation to show
how this law could kave been passed. il
about two-thirds OF the small towns had
been denied representation at that time.
This assistance is a great boon to the
/ poorer towns where the schools are not
the best and the increasing cost Of main
tenance is growing heavier each year.
This law has been decried, ever since its
passage, by every town that has paid iD
more than it has received back.
Two years later the small towns looted
the larger towns again by the passage of
the 5 per cent state highway tax. Many
OF the small towns have a larger highway
mileage to maintain than the large
towns. This act was modelled after the
school law, and is equally beneficial to
the small towns. II was fought by the
large towns with the utmost intensity.
What is true Of these two laws is true OF
numberiess others which the so-called
farmers have caused to be placed on the
statute books.
1t is observed that the small towns are
not pushing this question but it comes
from the larger places which would not
lose by it. Indeed, we are not surprised
at the attitude of our esteemed contem-
porarios, the Free Press, the Messenger
and the Rutland Herald. But we are
little surprised that the Mortified News
should be sWerved in the slightest from
the path which it Lad rather timidly
taken.
The leading men Of any state, as a rule
locate in the larger places where there i.
greater opportunity to make use of theiI
abilities. With the smaller communities
! denied their present numerical weight in
the assembly, they would be no match fol
the astute members which the largei
towns would be able to send. This poini
will be called a mere bogy, and in reply
! it will be said that by combining, the
smaller towns will send better men. w,
do not believe that is true to any extent
as the towns generally try to send theil
} best men now and we fail to see how AM
better men can get the election il they u
only once in four or six years, than i
! they go every two.
J The day the small towns in Vernon
give up their biennial representation il
, the legislature, that day they lose thei
} most potent weapon for accomplishing
many Of their much-needed betterments
, Waterbury Record.