The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-01-11
FRANK B. HOWE. Editor and Publisher
Bacon Taxation Bill.

mere Is reason TO belieYe that the
question of taxation will be the fea-
ture of legislation at Montpelier dur
ing the next two days In this con-
nection the bill introduced by Mr..
Bacon will be of interest. The taxa
ton problem is one of the most i'm
portant to be solved by the people
.of Vermont Definite results may
not be accomplished by the legisla-
ture now in session but the agitation
of the subject has been campaign of
education which must ultimately
bring about the desired end. The
Bacon bill Is as follows
1t is hereby enacted by the general
assembly of the state of Vermont:
Section 1. The commissioner of
state taxes shall hereafter be known
and designated as the tax commits
sioner, and wherever in the Public
Statutes or acts of the general as
sembly the words commissioner of
state taxes are used, the words tax
commissioner" shall be substituted
therefor.
Sec. Pin addition to the powers con
ferred and duties imposed on the com
missioner of state taxes by chapters
80, 81 and 80 of the Public Statutes,
the tax commissioner is hereby given
general supervision of the execution
of the general laws relating to local
taxation, subject to the provisions of
his act
Said commissioner may, from time
to time, have such deputies. to be APP
pointed by him, not exceeding five in
number, as the duties of his office
shall require. Such deputies shall
hold office during the pleasure of said
commissioner but whose term of office
shall not extend beyond that of the
commissioner by whom they are APP
pointed. Each of said deputy COM
missioners shall, before entering up
on his duties, take, subscribe and
file with the tax commissioner and the
secretary of civil and military affairs
the oath of office prescribed in the
constitution Said deputy commits
sioners shall perform such duties as
said commissioner may require to
| enable him to carry out the provisions
of this act. In case said commissions
er shall for any cause be unable TO
hear and determine any matter within
his Jurisdiction, he may, with the APP
proval of the governor, appoint spec
ial deputy for such purpose, who shall
be sworn, and who shall have author
ity to hear and determine such mat
ter. Nothing herein contained shall
limit the number of special deputies
so to be appointed
Sec. 3. The Office of said commits
sioner shall be in Montpelier, and he
shall at the expense of the state, pro.
vide and furnish suitable rooms there
for. Said commissioner may hold
hearings and conduct investigations
anywhere in the state.
Sec 4. Said commissioner may
make all necessary rules consistent
with the laws of this state, for the
orderly and successful performance
of his duties and for conducting hear
ings and other proceedings before
him or his special deputies, which
rules shall be published and distrib
uted by him at the expense of thu
state, and one copy shall be kept OF
file in each town clerks office.
Sec. 5. 1t shall be> the duty of thu
4 COluulAoSibAltl anu tlG Hilull nave pow
er and authority as follows. % II
have and exercise general supervision
of the administration of the taxation
laws of this state, and over all listers
to the end that appraisals shall b.
made in compliance with the laws 0
this state (2)To confer with an,
advise and give necessary instruction
and directions to the listers through
out the state, as to their duties undo
the laws Of the state, and to that en-,
shall call meetings of the listers Il
be held at such places as the commits
sioner may designate, for the pLrpos
of instruction as to the duties of sue
listers and as to the laws governing
the assessment of all classes of PROF
| erty. CD To cause complaint
against listers to be made to the pro
er authority for misconduct or neg
lect of duty. (4) To require corpors
lions to furnish information concern
ling their capital, funded or current a
sets. liabilities, earnings, dividends
land operating expenses, as we'll a
lother statements required by law fO
taxation purposes (5) To summo
Witnesses to appear and give test
mopy and produce books, records, pi
pers and documents relating to an
taxation matter which the commits
Toner may have authority to invest
gate or determine. 60 To cause de-
ositions of witnesses residing With
or without the state to be taken upo
notice to interested parties, If an
in like manner as dispositions may
taken In civil cases in the count
court, In any matter which the cor
missioner may have authority to 4
yestigate or determine. Gu To visi
either in person or by deputy, evel
town in the state at least once ann
ally and inquire into the methods
assessment and taxation and ase'
tain whether the listers are faithful
discharging their duties, particular
as to their conn nee with the pr
visions for the a, lraisals of proper
at its true cash value. (S) To incc
porate In his biennial report to u
: general assembly, in tabulated ior
~ or otherwise, a report showing all 4
taxable property in the state, Il
Ilclassification, and assessed valuatiC
Iithereof, with such Information and
Communications relating thereto
/ the commissioner may deem prope
Hoo To receive complaints and car
Ilfully examine into all cases where
is alleged that properly subject to "a
alton has not been assessed, or NJ
been fraudulently or otherwise Il
| properly or unequally assessed, or u
law in any manner evaded or violate
and to cause to be instituted such p'
ceedings as will rectify improper
| negligent administration OF the listlI
lIiaw OF the state. (10) To re-apprai
any real estate or personal proper
in any town in the state on complain
of five taxpayers in such town; al
may upon like complaint, or upon
- ....Li... 20 nnnrnlaN any real {