Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-07


these means OF raising money have
been recently advanced as an indirect
way of providing the necessary funds
for the use of the government prior
to a tariff revision. but, whichever
It may be reasoned out, 1t will be
found in the long run that the con-
sumer pays for the costs of govern
ment and therefore that the consumer
can be benefited only through the use
OF economy in government expense.
which has now reached its maximum
limit and calls for halt. 1t Is evil
dent that the discomfort of the people
and the radicalsm of the insurgents
grew out of and were fostered by the
! high prices which maintain. The sta
tistcs show that Increasing prices
have been world wide but not in the
proportion reached in the United
states where since 1896 the increase
has been from 80 per cent to 60 per
cent. While the chief cause of this ad-
vance is doubtless gold depreciation.
which has also been universal, 1t is
vet certain that other causes have
contributed and that the tariff. which
maintains wages, which In turn sup
port high prices. is responsible for at
least n part OF the Increase. 1t is my
opinion that the high cost OF living
is due less to the tariff than to gold
depreciation and more to Increased
personal consumption. to Increase in
the shifts and methods of Individual
and social economies and to the fall
urc of agricultural production to Keep
pace with the consumption of the av-
erage home. It seems to be irrevocahly
established that our tariff laws are
indispcn sible in securing protection
to both our home and foreign mar
kets. in maintaining the high average
and high means OF living when our
people enjoy ard IN fixing the future
Of our manufp cturcs, INDUSTRIES
Interpretations ana nrts. england to-
day is worrying over this problem
IIcr free trade policy has been event
ually pr0motive of n condition which
will compel resort at an early date
to protection. Already the l'ntted
States and Germany contest her mar
kets at home. 1t IL not question or
revenue only but primarily one or
maintaining the nations chance OF
competing with low cost labor ana
world wide markets. and fuHda
tally of also meeting the difference
in the costs of production and OF
Transportation to our own and out
lsidc markets. This question. because
of It's hearing upon the living condi-
tions of the individual. Will always
be n subject of political controversy.
and legislation upon 1t. to be sure,
should be based upon exact know
ledge. For that reason an investiTa-
ton into its facts by experts is de-
s'rable and for the same reason the
resolve by Congress- to create a tariff
commission is to he approved.
1t would also seem wise for the peo-
pie of Vermont to favor every pos
sible proper economic aud business
relationship with Canada. The natural
and geographical position of these
two countries Is such that any failure
to create such n condition of COM
merce involves for each a waste of
opportunity. Roth possess raw mater
ial OF use to the other and both are
large consumers OF the products Of
, manufactures Vermont has water
powers and is rapidly Increasing its
manufacturing interests. This fact
coupled with nearness and low cost OF
transportation, should lead our people
to favor earnestly every possible I'M
proved condition Of commerce with
the Canadas.
, THE PRIMARY LAW.
The chief failure Of the American
electorate has been in connection with
, the choice Of administrative and leg
T islative representatives. The system
= for their choice has been one which
= recognized. first, parties. next. eau
..,i Of hntl
, under a system which vested in lead
l ers either Incidental or fixed, That
e system was inherent in our form OF
T government and intensified by Inc
D failure of a largo proportion of tho
s electorate to take an interest in pub
lie affairs. Therefore IT followed thai
, personal responsibility was suhor-
Z dinated to party responsibility and in
= dividual initiative to party workers
e and the result was in politics to pro
4 duce the rule that to the vtctors he
= long to the spoils The governor o.
3 New York recently said about this
r matter that the people are abso'
( lutely sick OF the whole thing. or
! the other hand. the people have beer
slow to indicate their interest, a
was proven in Indiana, where less
| than 40 per cent. OF tho voters Notei
i directly, as they could. The doctrine
: certainly is sound that money in ex
n cess of reasonable expenses should b.
I eliminated from elections and tina
q the people should be invited 10 TAXI
q part in political action by suhstitut
e ing their individual and untrammele'
/ Judgment on the choice Of men To-
$ office In order to bring our system
= of government as nearly as possthl'
: down to the rule of government b.
the people There are reasons bou
. ways for primary election law 1t i
u not unreasonable for the voters of GU
II State to try the experiment of sys
l. TEN that gives promise OF create
u personal interest in state sffa'rs
" though the development and growtl
5 Of that interest may be gradual an
- slow
, AMENDMENTS TO THE CONST1TU
TON.
a The amendments to the consttu
o ton that have been proposed by tn
: special commission of eminent patrl
V otic and competent citizens should b
II endorsed as all deserving and man
= as imperative under the changes o
e since the framing OF the state con
If stitution In Revolutionary days ]
II has become evident that the peopl
h cannot govern themselves without
"a chance 10 change their laws and tina