The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
THE STATE PLATFORM
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government equitabIy among all men
and avoid so-called double taxation
Is one of the most serious and press
ing 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 246 cities and towns, each To-
cal administration. practically being a
law unto itself in this regard. AS a
first important step toward the re-
form of the tax law, we recommend
to the General Assembly the amend
ment of the present statute to pro-
vide for a State central authority in
some form that SHALL have some
proper degree of charge and over
sight in the local administration of
the law in the various cities and
towns, to the end that not only shall
the present law hereafter be as uni
formly and impartially enforced as
may be everywhere throughout the
State, but that the experience from
such uniform and impartial admin
istration, thus had for the first time
in the history of Vermont, shall fur
nish definite and reliable information
helping to point the way to such fur
Their changes in the statute as such
experience proves to pc just and nee
essary.
The Political Primaries.
Without committing the State to
an experiment with theories that
may, involve a cumbersome and ex-
pensive machinery out of all proper
ton to the practical benefits to be
derived from its operation, we never
theless believe that some amendment
of the existing caucus law along the
line of the principle of the direct pri-
mary system should be undertaken by
the next General Assembly. And we
further recommend such legislation
as shall compel candidates for party
nominations and political offices to
make public an itemized account of
their campaign expenses and such
other notifications of the existing
statute regarding corrupt practices in
political campaigns and elections as
shall tend more certainly to secure
the free choice of the peoples SER
wants in the government and make
| the manner and method of that choice
clear of any features repugnant to
the enlightened sense of a democratic
people.
Labor.
of the present day, we recommend
the passage of such legislation as will
put the public under the same liabil-
ity to working men in its service as
obtains in the case Of private employ
ers. We pledge our support for the
passage of liability law which will
|
recommend to the Legislature ar
equitable employers liability law
Farming and the professions are
granted special exemption from at
tachment, on the theory that the bare
necessities of life shall not be sued
away from these men and their de
pendent ones. The wage Garner anC
his dependent ones are entitled tt
share in this wise and humane law
Therefore we recommend the enact
ment of a law saving from attach
ment wages sufficient to obtain the
necessities of life, which shall be al
amount of not less than ten dollars.
Highways.
We are persuaded that the time ha!
!come when Vermont must take it!
lown proper part and place witt
neighboring States in the construction
of trunk line highways that are t.
be the means eventually of linking
together all the communities of thi!
Igreat continental Nation. We favor
such enlargement of the scope of the
present highway law as will enable
the State to undertake this public
service in the most practicable man
ner. We believe that Vermont ha:
no more urgent material need thar
the development of system of frs
class interurban highways and thai
the work should proceed under The
authority and direction and at the ex
lpense of the State.
Education.
Mindful of the substantial and in
spring support of the cause of free
public education that has ever beer
characteristic of Vermonters, we re
gard with pride the advance made by
the public schools OF the State under
the beneficent aid of wise laws re-
Gently enacted by the Republican par
| ty in the Legislature. We believe
that the popular education provided
| by the government should always
have for its chief object the fitting oi
youth for the practical duties of ev-
cry day life and equipping them for
self-support. To this end we urge
that the State encourage by all gen.