Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-06-23

Tho committee on resolutions, or winch
Frank l.. Greene OF st. Adams Ia chair
man. has prepared the draft % plat
form to be submitted to the republican
Slate convention which will be held ~
Montpelier Thursday June 20 The plat
form. which is published now 10 invite
popular discussion and which Is subject
to additional amendment before the CON
vcntion Ia held, follows
We, the republicans of Vermont. by
cur representatives and dclcgntcs In
state convention assembled, do most
heartily renew our allegiance to the
primary principles and tcncts OF the
only political organization that has
been successful in the government Of
the nation from the days when the
party sprans into being with patriotic
vision and craftsmanship TO save a
nation to be governed at all Even as
Ncrmontcrs were pioneers in the es-
Establishment of the Republican party
more than half r century ago at
time when it took the courage of con-
victions TO advocate its new doctrines
and purposes. so they have ever since
been and are TODAY the consistent
advocates Of a party policy that Will
rise to the now duties CT all new occA-
sions with the sober-mindcd ambition
Of mon whose discretion only makes
for tho better choice for progress and
not for faltering or doubt, delay and
do-ncthing We believe that, If the
Rcpu blican party of to-day IS /" con-
duct the government of the nation to-
morrow, 1t must not cease to take ac-
count of the awakened and reinVigor-
al f.y n
realization Of higher ideals of civic
righteousness. business honesty, equal
ity OF economic opportunity and polt-
ical freedom. and we unhesitatngly
declare ourselves in sympathy with
that public sentiment that makes for
unceasing progress along the lines
-HYazed by the patriotic leadership OF
| Theodore Roosevelt and followed by
his illustrious successor in the presi-
dency, William Howard Taft. We arc
proud TO express our hearty sympathy
with the high purposes and admiration
OF the devoted lahors of President
Taft In his conduct Of the national
/ government.
| THE TARIFF.
( We desire to emphasize our BELIEF
| that the time has come when the ad-
| justment of tariff schedules should be
taken out of politics The revenue act
OF this great government should no
longer be subjected to the caprice of
local or sectional interests or other
undue Influences in n general revision
! by Congress. but it's schedules should
he amended, detail by detail from time
to time under the suggestion and
counsel Of a non partisan tariff boa ri
or commission whose function It
should be to promote the constant
adaptation ~ this statute to the de-
mands Of varying conditions OF ira de
and economies after the methods of
simple business prudence and national
common sense
RECTPROCIT
We favor such reciprocal tariff re-
| lations with the Dominion Of Canada
as will the more actively stimulate the
| interchange of profitable trade be-
tween the two countries upon n basis
! fair to both and sufficiently protec-
tive of the interests OF our own peo-
pie.
NATIONAL. DEPARTMENT OF PUB
Lie HEALTH
We commend the proposed creation
| by Congress of a national department
| Of public health to have jurisdiction
In such matters pertaining to its hcld
as are not within the scope OF the au-
thority of the State government
THE STATE CONSTITUTIONS.
While the organic law OF the state
eh 10 ifrb ri n hct ..
all statutes should be stable and Ger
tain. we are convinced that the time
has come when hands should be rever-
| entity laid upon the constitution OF
Vermont and certain changes made In
It's provisions that they may more
| clearly denLe our political liberties
and the obligations they entail upon
us. We, therefore. commend to the
General Assembly Of 1910 the report
Of the commission created by author
ity of the General Assembly OF 1905 -
propose amendments to the conatitu-
| ton of Vermont. and endorse and APP
prove Its several recommendation for
anne ndments. We cannot too earnest
ly urge upon the people of this state
and their representatives. in the Leafs
laturc our unqualified belief that the
amendment of the constitution in IN sc
particulars Is the most grave and re
sponsible duty that is likely TO con-
! front the Lawmakers at the coming
session and one that is on no account
to he put aside,
THE TAX LAW.
We believe that the reform Of the
tax law OF this State 50 that f. may
impose the burden of the support OF
government equitably among all men
and avoid so-callcd double taxation Is
! duties that confronts our people. We
! believe that one OF the greatest evils
under the present law is the lack Of
uniformity in Its enforcement in the
FAC cities and towns, each local admin
| istration practically being iaW unto
| itself In this regard. As first inn
portant step toward the reform of the
! tax law. we recommend to the General
Assembly the amendment OF the pres
eht statute to provide for a State cen
tral authority in some form that shall
nave some proper degree Of charge
ana oversight of the local adminiatra-
tlon or tho law in the various cities
ana towns, to the end that not only
snail the present law hereafter he as
uniformly and impartially enforced az
may De everywhere throughout the