Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-12-16


when the question came up for passage |
i was expected there would he strenu-
,us opposition but only three or four
spoke against it aud it was
passed by the House almost unanimous
", not more than half a dozen votes be-
ing cast against it. The bill provides
for a small tax on inheritanc-s, the tax
being fixed on a graduated scale and
made to apply to direct inheritances as
we'll as collateral inheritances. This
will provide considerable revenue for
the state and will make possible some
of the measures looking toward New
Vermont. Mr.. Fletcher may well feel
highly complimented by the support
given to his bill. The bill mast yet
pass the Senate but il is not probable
that the Senate will turn down meas
ure of public nature which has re-
ceived such solid support in the House,
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Another bright spot in the history of
this legislature is that the Senate seems
to have buried the Ratchet and the EVIL
dences of bad blood have been wiped
out. There has been time when good
legislation was imperiled by the per-
sonal feelings of some of the Senators
but they have risen to the occasion and
while there are yet differences between
them they are all differences Of honest
opinion and are seemingly without a
string. Last week the Senate by two
thirds vote, and in nearly every case by
unanimous vote, proposed several
| amendments to the State Constitution.
The one of most interest to the people
is the one changing the time of the gen
eral election to November instead Of
| September. The others give the Cover
nor a real veto power; that the Legisla
ture shall not commute sentences; mem
beers of the General Assembly, shall moi
be appointed to offices created by the
General Assembly; permitting Legisla
ture to pass so called Compensation
Acts aud few minor changes made
necessary by these amendments. The
Senate refused to permit the Constitu
ton time lock to be removed. Thes,
amendments must be agreed to by tn
House by a majority vote, agreed to b,
the next legislature and finally be sub
mitted to the people. They cannot TAX
effect before 1918.
THE STATE FAIR
The State Fair bill has passed tn
House with an appropriation of $500
annually after bitter fight. Th
County Fairs were after help and the
did not propose to see the State Fai
get the money until they too had som
assurances of support. There was othe
opposition to the bill but the majorit
of the members thought the State Faj
to be splendid Vermont institutio
and there is plenty of evidence to SUP
port them. The original bill called fo
$4,000 but upon the recommendatio
of the Committee the approx ration wa
cut to $4,000 and when the vote wa
taken not vote was cast against it.
bill has been introduced to help tn
County Fairs and by their remarks O
the floor of the House many of III
friends of the State Fair are by dut
bound to help the County fairs. Bot
; bills are so drawn as to protect II
agricultural interests.
THE TAXATION LAWS
Not a word has been heard from tt
. Committee on Ways and Means regar
ing tax reform with the exception
the tax commission bill which has bee
reported favorably and passed by Il
House. Two years ago the Leaders
the House and Senate sought to pa
bills creating tax commission abe
ishing offsets aud placing a small ia
on intangibles. The offset bill was r
ported first and killed which of cour
resulted in the death of the intangib
bill which followed. 1t is pretty ge
d orally believed that had the tax mea
Ie ures been properly managed two yea
d ago that all would have passed.
O. ought to be understood now that VIII,
,e the fight comes it must be done in t
re open. The people have become SON
er what educated to the inequalities of o
1t taxation laws. Two years ago the RAJ
,e and file were skeptical about abolshi
% offsets and exempting mortgages fro
N taxation. Ihs year the rank and f
lie are ready for just such a propositio
i Many and many member is d
,e gruntled with the present banking la
r and many of them have been heard
" say there was no good reason why
Sc should not be permitted to loan
IN money on as favorable terms as t
If banks. Many member has said th
III he would willingly give up his offsets
I'd he could get his money at 5%. II /
n. tax reform bills do not pass at this 81
a sion it will be because the bills are I
st reported from the committee until t
in rush hours at the final wind up of t