The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-10-06

eept in cases of emergency, and then
only when absolutely necessary. / be-
lieve tnat such safeguards might be
thrown around an appropriation of this
nature as would make ii entirely safe,
So that it could be used only in a legit-
mate way,
Weights and Measures.
The matter Of fraudulent weights and
measures has been brought to our at
tpntion more forcibly during the last
year than ever before. Some months ago
the United States government sent an
inspector through the state to ascertain
what conditions were, regarding the
weights and measures being used. His
report was that very large proper
ton were not correct, this condition pre-
yailing over the country. In some states
there are most stringent laws regard
ing these matters, and provision is made
for the sealing OF weights and measures
and for very rigid system of inspee-
tion. Because OF the Importance Of this
subject, and at tine request of some
people who became interested in the
matter. ! called a meeting at Montpelier,
consisting largely OF those who are
specified by law, as having these stand
ards in their possession The attend
ance was very gratifying and the inter-
est shown was such that it was man
ifest that the people were becoming
satisfied that great wrong was being
perpetrated This meeting requested me
TO appoint a committee Of five to pre-
pare bin and present it to this legis-
lature, which should seek TO remedy
some Of the evils now 50 prevalent.
That committee has been appointed,
with Mr.. Henry W. Clement of Rutland,
as it's chairman, and the subject has
been very thoroughly gone over. A
bill will be presented to you for your
action, which would be->c great benefit
il enacted The matter of weights and
measures enters very largely into the
matter Of the high cost Of living. Many
Of the neeessaries of life are bought in
packages which are said to contain a
certain amount, while in reality they
contain very macrv less. Coal is sold on
short weight, and even the honest farm.
CT sometimes makes a mistake and puts
up his print butter so that it is from
one to two ounces short. I commend
this matter to you, and suggest that
YOU give it very careful study when the
bill is presented for your action.
Conclusion.
The two years just past have been
years OF great activity and prosperity
in this state the degree Of prosperity
IS indicated by the great increase in
deposits in our savings institutions,
amounting to something over $4,000
600 during the last year; the greatest
increase, with one exception, in the
history of the state, and that year was
one just after permission had been Civ
en- to increase the amount that could
be deposited in these institutions. We
must. therefore, conclude that prosper
ity has been greater during the past
wear than ever before. Our factories,
quarries and mills are we'll employed
and there is no reason to fear any Sc
rious depression at the present time.
There has been much activity along
lines. The tercentenary cele-
brstion was the beginning of a move
ment for greater publicity and has re-
suited in exploiting the beauties of the
state and its agricultural and manufae-
tAlA Att- advantages a. ktaN tARhttAAA tteN
in its history. The desire manifested for
better highways, the demand for newer
and better laws, is a sign of progress
and everything points to steady adj
vance for the future Il lays with you
to say what legislation shall be passed.
| can only recommend that the laws
be as few as possible as | can see no
need of q great mass of legislation. |
fear that many if not most legislators
do not improve their opportunities by
studying The reports Of the state Of
fieers, feeling that they are mass Of
dry statistics which it would be hard
to comprehend. but this is far from the
truth, as the reports are filed with in
formation that is of the greatest value.
The recommendations made therein are
the result OF study Of conditions sur
rounding their office and their official
acts, and should not be thrown aside
without thoughtful consideration on
your part. ] have been very much graf
lied at the way the business Of the
state has been carried on by its officials.
Cases have been very rare when have
felt the necessity for fault finding and
as ] day down the duties IF my Office. [
g. SO with a feeling that the interests
If the state are ia safe hands, and with
no fears for the future
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