The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-06-22

ment of the present statute to provide
for state central authority In some
form that shall have some proper de-
gree of charge and oversight of 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 uniformly and i'm
partially enforced as may be every
where throughout the state, but that
the experience from such uniform
and impartial administration, thus
had for the first time in the history
of Vermont, shall furnish definite
and reliable information helping to
point the way to such further changes
in the statute as such experience
proves TO be just and necessary.
The Political Primaries
Without committing the state to an
experiment with theories that may
involve a cumbersome and expensive
machinery out of all proportion to
the practical benefits to be derived
from its operation, we nevertheless
believe that some amendment of the
existing caucus law along the line of
the principle of the direct primary
system should be undertaken by the
next general assembly. And we fur
Their 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 Sc
cure the free choice Of the peoples
servants in the government and make
the manner and method of that choice
clear of any features repugnant to the
enlightened sense of democratic
people.
Labor
In accord with the best judgment
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 en-
ployers. We pledge our support for
the passage of a liability law which
will accomplish that purpose. We al
so recommend to the legislature an
equitable employers liability law.
Farming and the professions are
granted special exemptions 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 and
his dependent ones are entitled to
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 an
amount of not less than Ten Dollars.
Highways
We are persuaded that the time has
come when Vermont must take its
own proper part and place In the con-
struction of trunk line highways that
are to be the means eventually of
linking together all the communities
of this great 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
manner. We believe that Vermont
has no more urgent material need
than the development OF system OF
first class inter.urban highways and
that the work should proceed under
the authority and direction and at
the expense Of the state.
Education
Mindful OF the substantial and In.
spring support Of the cause OF free
public education that has ever been
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
~ In the legislature. We believe
that the popular education provided
by the government should always
have for its chief object the fitting Of
youth for the practical duties OF every
day life and equipping them for self
support. To this end we urge that
the state encourage by all generous
means the maintenance OF courses In
elementary agriculture, manual train
ing and domestic science In the pub
lie schools. We also urge that Il NJ
ford larger opportunities for training
teachers for service in the education
al institutions OF Vermont.
Weights and Measures
We earnestly recommend to tn,
general assembly such amendment o
existing laws as will not only max,
the standard Of weights and measures
In use In Vermont uniform with IN,
standard maintained by the nationa
government but that will invoke SUI
iiciont police power to protect thu
people OF this state from the frauds
and decoils In merchandising an,
trade caused by short weights, under
sized measures and packages. nnt
similar dishonest devices.
Conservation Of Natural Resources
We note with satisfaction the in
creased and increasing popular In
terest IN the vital subject OF the con
seryatlon Of natural resources unde
wise Republican government In IN
nation and In our own state. This /
perhaps the grdvest and most threat
ening problem OF our material life a
this time. Vermont should offer IN
oral provisions under the tax law an
otherwise as an inducement to fores
planting and forest culture, and a
the same time should so regulate IN
, commercial utilization OF forests n
best to protect the public interest
: dependent upon them. We b,
lieve that the present policy here 4
|, Vermont should be amplihed to e,
. tend throughout the state opportui
/, tiles for state forest reserves and tn
llncaliypd object lpeaone In nrartict