Putnam patriot., 1909-01-15
coaesefieut deneraI Assembly,.

Fillmore -- BAuks nN -JNhhfif " h. Blodget as Clerk. -abin :. Russell as Assist ant Clerk. and the other officers.
 On edne.day Governor Lilley was inaugufsted .ilh brilliant ceremonies, including a grand parade. Before the jolnt assembly be delivered his Mes sage which has been well received by 1 the press and people throughout the state for its treatment of the general business affairs Of the State in 4 busi. ns-sss like manner, and for suggestions Of reforms and progressive iegisiation. II iaxofs aatchfulness that the Com mon wealth does nei form habits of ex- ifavagance CT unnecessary waste Of the -tnte'. resources. Instead of paying our bilis we gre tending 10 incur alsrge bonded indebtedness.
 Tbe Governor urges in the strongest possible terms legislation thas wiil pro sile an increase in the 1tale.s receipts
 He suggests doing away with the Of. ice of school Fund Commissioner and batting The finances under single head-thal of the Treasurer. While our taxation system is one Of the best, the statutory provisions rela- tive 10 local taxation. however, should ie enforced equally in the different towns. The asssssment of properly on basis of full value, as required, is mol only reass nable and business like, but Is for the bcst interests of the eommu- mites.
 The revenues Of the State can be in- creased, he says, by slight change in the succession tax laws, which would not be burdensome to anyone. Also, he faYors, by implication, the adoption Of the inheritance tax system, which k now in successful operation in many States.
 He recommends a uniform system of municipal accounting adapted 10 the large and small towns and other muni. eipaities
 Heed should k given to what he says about the large amount of waste of uu- productive land throughout the State, which should receive the careful con. sidefalien Of the agricultural, forestry, and taxation departments. ~ith the view ef utilizing 1t for the raising ef sheep. relofe=tralien, of any olher pfae. lical usei and proper leE islalien io Hat end should be employed fl feasible The Inequalities in the assessment af rtai estate is Il matter oi papalar dis. l satisfaction. For the remosa ai of tbeze complaints he ads iseS the adopaon Of the practice at publishing annually the assessment Hst. n otdef that all pfo, peatN owners may be ahie i0 compare the valuation of their property with that et others in the community. in conformity with the promise gts. en by the Governor previous to his eiee- ton, that he would favor the adoption ot the reform policies of Governor ! Woodruff. he urges the consideration | of the utilities act, as "A matter of great est importance. The hill prepared by | the special commission appointed al The last session, If enacted Will sub 1tanlially abolish all special legisla. ton and de away with the lobby and all the evils it entails.
 l The direct primaries k not so urgent. | Y advocated ns the utilities aet, but he advises thoughtful consideration 1T the lepoil to he submitted lo lhe Gene raj Assembly on account of the high character ot the gentle men composing the commission and The careful and
 deep study they have given 10 lhc sub leet.
 The crusade against tuberculosis he ads iscs te be aided to the limit of the States abilay.
 Better schools and better school sys- iem he says k one Of the most inpor. tant matters to be submitted for legis- | lative consideration.
 | The tenement conditions tn cities are subjects to be investigated to preNent disease and death to class almost helpless io protee, themselves. 1 The proper care ot the blind requires | larger buildings Ia meet the increasing demands fod adequate accommodation. | The ahlesi minds in the State. says the Gosenef, support the demand fer \ substantial retetm ef the laws telat- ing to the liability ei an employer for l injuries feceised by his emploAes in the eoar>e al Their employment. In speaking of trade combinations he says the lest rapidly approaching will mol he as to whether there is a combination, but whether that eombi- nation in its operation results in bring l ing about an unreasonable restriction of trade, thus infilciing injury on the leoplo. The same test should hc ap- l piled 10 combinations of workingmen. I In other words. fl the aet of one man would not hc a crime, then II should not bc acrime II done by a combination of many men.
 1 lie says for various reasons the prob. lem ot highway improvement is one ot The most important before us today lie defends the Highway Commission CT against the unjust criticism 10 which he has teen subjected. and points out | the large amount ot work he has ac- eompIished although handicapped by ! lack oi adequate assistance, and adv o- eates granting larger appropriation i and would allow him an engineer for