The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1910-10-27

The statement OF the financial
condition of the state, made last
week In the House by MIR Fletcher
of Cayendlsh, chairman OF the ways
and means committee. was an eye
opener for most OF the members who
supposed from the treasurers re-
port showing upwards OF s205 ,0uO
cash on hand July lst last that the
state was rolling in wealth and that
they had got to hustle some TO spen
il. They learned. however, from Mr.
Fletcher's statement that the legis-
latlire OF 1908 had carefully looked
after the spending of this 100000,
all except about $4,000 OF it, and
that the $3.50 represented all the
that would be available
for appropriations until July /, 1911
unless the revenue from the present
sources of taxation increased more
than was estimated This was some
what OF dampef to those visions
OF treasury filled to bursting, but
the gloom was dispeiled bit by
Mr. Fletcher's further statement tina
1911, and like sum July /, 1912,
100000 would be available July l.,
for any appropriations that might b
made aside from those necessary for
the support OF government.
With some one disposed to look
upon this statement of Mr.. F'letch-
er as the pessimistic view Of me-
who is said to have predicted a dels
isit that would require a state tax
during the administrations of both
Coy Proctor and Gov. Prouty, ii
was in reality the first step in the
move the present administration is
credited with having in view of cut
ting down the states expenses. In
point of fact il was warning to
the legislators to go SLOW II they
would avoid that which has been th
dread OF every administration since
ii was done away with. state tax.
Gov Mead is determined not to
have one while he holds office and
having, like the prudent business
man he is, taken an account of
stock, as it were, before taking over
the business of running the state.
found that only prudence and econ
omy would prevent it being Deces-
sary, unless new sources OF revenue
are discovered, determined to lock
the stable door before the horse
was stolen.
The Governor is perfectly willing
to spend all the money he considers
necessary for the efficient conduct
of the states affairs, but he does
not believe in extravaganza apd
will not listen to the expenditure
OF dollar unless he knows just
where II is coming from and that
must be from some other resource
than O state tax.
The Governors proclamation, is
sueed Oct. 90, suspending the hunt
ing season for the present week,
the open season on deer, came as
great surprise, especially to those
from sections of the state where
drought is not prevalent. The pro
clamation was Issued by virtue OF
an emergency law passed two years
ago when state wide drought eN-
isted aud forest fires We're prega
lent every where to enable Governor
Prouty to postpone the open hunting
season until rain or snow lessened
the danger OF forest fires being star
ed BY hunters. Coy. Mead says
that he was importuned to take this
step by many in the southern part
OF the state. one OF whom was NJ.
j. Hapgood OF Peru, who informed
him that the danger of forest fires
was imminent II the hunting season
was not postponed There are those
however. who insist that the real
purpose OF the Governors proclama-
tion was TO postpone the open sea-
son ON deer until law could be
passed TO prevent the hunting OF
does
Meanwhile the plans OF many for
spending the week In the woods
have been rudely interrupted, in
many cases a, a considerable sacri-
flee OF money. and the state u be-
ing put 10 the expense of keeping
It's entire force OF game wardens IN
service for an additional week. Com
missioner Titcomb having issued on
ders 10 all the wardens 10 spend
their whole time this week ~ enforc
ing the Governors proclamation,
Thus far 80 bills have been In
troduced IN the House aud / N the
senate. Of The House bills Benning
ton county members are responsible
for but two. One Of these was ln-
trodnced BY Nj. Howe Of Benning.
Ton TO make the open season on
brook and other trout land locked
salmon and ionge month earlier,
placing Il between April 3 snd July
lib. The other Nas by NJ, Briggs
gearRburg. amending the laH reia-
tive to The residence ~ voters
Of these 80 bills the House mas
pAssed five and Killed SIX seven hay
been ordered 10 q fhird reading aud
thee res, are To the hands of the
committees.