Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-10-08
Woodstock. VT. Oct. 8. 1910
The Legislature.

HOUSE anu Cuapldlu were elcCtou
without much friction, other routine
preliminary business disposed of,
and is about to take brief recess to
allow for committee appointments,
etc, and then the members will
attack their job with renewed energy.
The state expects every man to work
hard, talk little, and not to clutter
up the calendar with useless bills.
Governor Prouty read his retiring
message Thursday, and the new
governor, John A. Mead of Rutland,
took the reins in hand.
Governor Mead's message is a
comprehensive document and his
recommendations cover the ground
fairly well, though the Legislators
will have to do considerable thinking
for themselves.
Governor Mead notes the splendor
of our scenery, wealth of the soil,
and suggests the establishment of
more agricultural schools as an aid
to the development of the state's
resources.
The new executive is down on
dogs-that is, dogs that are just
dogs-and some of his remarks are
quoted elsewhere.
Vermont's Forestry law is ap-
proved, but the governor thinks it
could be amended acceptably.
One of the difficult problems of our
state government is that which per-
tains to our Cattle Commission, says
the governor and more especially to
tuberculosis cattle. The vast sum
paid to the owners of slaughtered
cattle is an enormous strain on the
state treasury, and there are grave
doubts as to the amount of benefit
that has been realized"
Governor Mead does not believe
that the people are ready to bond
the state for trunk line highways,
though good highways are indis-
pensable to our commercial growth
and we'll being" The improvements
in highways during the last four
years we're great, and the appropria-
ton might be increased, with no fear
of a state tax
Regarding the taxation problem
the governor says:
II do therefore recommend that
the same rate of taxation be imposed
upon intangible personal property
like loans, bonds, credits and mort
cages on property within our state
as that levied upon deposits within
our savings banks.
Il would also recommend that our
statutes be SO amended as to provide
for state central authority in some
form that shall have proper degree
of authority and oversight of the
administration of the laws in our
cities and towns relating to taxation.
Your commissioner of taxes might be
invested with this authority, or a
special commission be appointed for
this purpose
On legislation relating to wage
earners, he recommends favorable
consideration for the "ten dollar"
exemption bill and that the promised
employers liability bill be enacted.
He also suggests the passage of law
providing for some equitable form
of arbitration in labor difficulties.
Governor Mead believes that the
state needs something more than the
present normal schools can give.
Three-fourths of Vermont's teachers
are unframed, and he therefore rec
ommends an appropriation to estab-
lish training courses in the principal
high schools and academies. where
the towns we're willing to cooperate
by part maintenance. giving the state
immediate control and supervision.
On the matter of constitutional
amendments, Governor Mead recon-
mends an amendment that would 30
govern our election of town repre-
sentatives and county senators that,
at each session of the Legislature, at
least one-third or one-half of their
number shall have had Legislative
experience.
Governor Mead hopes that the leg
;slature may complete it's work and
adjourn before Thanksgiving day.