Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-07

that new dispensation VIII. has
been entitled. The New Vermont"
We are hoping PRAYING and striving for
those hetterments which have been care
fully considered during the last few years,
most of which are being dveloped slowly
along lines of progress. with benefits
soon being felt, although there Is still
| very much more which should be accom-
pshed ! am pleased TO note that most
| OF these improvements have been referred
| TO ny Your committee on resolutions
one OF the proceedings OF this conventin
| to-day has been happily 1T variance with
| the customs Of the past refer to the
| adoption of the party platform previous
| to nominations for State offices. This
! change has come about by means of the
| congrGtulatory forethought of our re-
publican State committed which early
took the necessary steps 10 have a plat
| form formulated in advance OF the con-
vention date. This platform as adopted
| appeals to me most favorably and will
command my enthusiastic support.
1t is not my purpose to discuss at
| length at this time the various planks in
the platform adopted by this convention.
though may refer to few very briefly.
and I shall only consider them from the
| standpoint of n business man.
THE TARIFF PLANK
| First, the tariff plank. To the recon-
| mendation of your committee | subscribe
most fully, though this Is a more strictly
| nationa' question. The depression in bust
ness life that always accompanies a re-
| vision Of the tariff or even suggestion
Of the same is only too evident to every
manufacturer. For nearly year bust
ness will be suspended. and when the
tariff bill is completed It is rarely
satisfactory, 1t being a combination Of
trades, each section OF the country
endeavorng to protect some local industry
and not caring apparently for what would
inure TO the general good,
Could we have a commission wholly
| non pa rtisan. which could devote its whole
attention to our tariff necessities am
confident II would insure greatly to the
general good of our country. This dis
cussion could be continued almost with
out limit. but time forbids
| Reciprocal trade with Canada could very
naturally be considered by this nom
partisan commission.
| y
| As to changes In our State constitution.
since the adjournment OF the last ses-
sion OF Our Legislature. a competent COM
mission was appointed to fully consider
this subject They have reported and
suggest eight changes in our constitution.
all OF which should have the most serious
| consideration by your next Legislature.
can but feel that most. IL not all the
changes will receive favorable consdera-
ton; they certainly will receive my hearty
support.
SCBJECT OF TAXATION.
The subject Of taxation has been re-
ceIvinG most careful attention by tho two
last sessions OF the Legislature and by the
:. public press. for the last four years or
moro but thus far without satisfactory
results, and stun all admit that our
present system 10 radically wrong and
SONG change 10 greatly needed II we fail
TO work out some scheme that our I-eRisla-
ture Is willing to adopt, who can wa NOT
benefit by the experience Of some other
state whose physical conditions and
necessities arc similar to ours and trv
their system for two years? We should nj.
tempt some reform along the lines suc-
gested and earnestly request the public
press to assist. A more careful atten,ion
to their duties by the listers has beon
working toward the desired end
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
The plank In your platform ro,a.
Ing to primary elections is in harmopv
with the tendency OF political thought
In many states. and in whatever way
hA
come more exact expressions OF tho
peoples Will. under simple procedure.
such ways are proper subjects for leg
islative consideration. As to the pub
LEGATION OF campaign expenses by can
didates, am In favor OF laws to that
effect, that shall apply to all elective
offices under our constitution.
ATTITUDE TOWARD LABOR.
Our party was on record two years
ago us favoring the employers La
bility act and the ten-doilars exemp-
ton BILL both Of which died In the
last Legislature. This was q mistake.
II we made tho promise. It should
have been kept. Again these two
bills will he presented to our next
Legislature and l sincerely hope they
n may have favorable consideration.
But there Is another labor ques-
ton, so-called. which / trust will re-
ceive earnest attention by our next
Legislature and that Is. some form OF
arbitration In labor difficulties. and
my suggestion would be, something
along the lines OF the Canadian bill
(which. SO f. as can learn. has