Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-14
AMBITION AN HONORABLE One
In Heart to Heart Talk Speaker
Advocated a Direct Primary
and Changes in Tax
Laws.


her behalf, who has never failed to
respond when called upon, who is
known over the State as the head of
her largest financial institution, II 1t
should enter his head to desire cleo
ton to the office OF governor. to be
forced to employ a campaign manager,
publicity bureau, local leaders, to stir
up popular sentiment. and go to num-
bcrless other expenses which would
make it impossible for any but very
wealthy man to foot the bills? This
question was squarely put up TO
large audience of Burlington men at
The Strong. Thursday night, when Joseph
Arend De Boer of Montpelier, president
of the National Life Insurance com
pany and receptive candidate, fired
the opening gun OF the gubernatorial
campaign.
MI. De Boer arrived in this city
shortly before seven o'clock, and went
directly to the Hotel Vermont BY
AS The Strong theater was we'll fill
ed with an audience almost exclusive
ly Of men, among whom Church street
seemed to be unanimously represented,
and Barton's orchestra was keeping
the multitude in good humor Prompt
ly at eight o'clock the curtain rose
ana Mayor Roberts. with a very few
apt words, introduced the speaker of
the evening. Mr.. De Boer, in opening.
quoted the editorial in which the
Bristol Herald" declared of him: He
has the gift Of CAB; he is good busi
ness man; and he wants the Job. ="
Mr. De Boer modestly dsclaimed tho
first attribute. AS to the second. he
said that his record must speak, and
that the only basis on which any man
ought to be elected to political office
was his record. On the third count he
frankly pleaded guilty. But" said
he. what man who knows Vermont
and loves her and is proud OF her his
tory. would not want the Job"
He outlined his relations with
tho gubernatorial fights of past
years. In 1904, Mr.. DeBoer said
many friends urged him 10 wage an
active campaign, but another candidate
that year was member of a calling so
largely represented In Vermont that it
seemed TO deserve a representation in
the ONCE OF chief executive Therefore,
in his way, he contributed to the election
OF Governor Bell. In 1905 he was again
urged to make a fight for the nomination,
but at that time the financial condition Of
the country was such that his whole
time was demanded by the business Of
winch he Is head. This year he persisted
IN his stand that he would not go after
tho oHice. The Barre Times wrote
asking II he would be candidate.
and he replied that he would not have
time TO go after 1t in the customary
way, He went about his business and
IN his absence the citizens of his town
laid their plans to induce him to en-
ter the campaign. Then they asked
MIN 10 enter the race and he consented
10 mako a practical test of those ideas
OF his about allowing the free will of
the people TO play some part in the
selection OF their governor. which had
oeen SO often described as idcalistic
and visionary
ASIDE from the personal element in
MI De Beers heart to heart TALK"
ne dealt mainly with two issu.s-the
recommendation OF direct primary
Tor Vermont. and the discussion Of
TAX legislation. Tho most !mpor-
hnt Issue in Vermont polite. today
declared Mr.. De Boer. is the prono.al
ehahee BY which men OF ability,
VI patriotism. may have equal oppor-
'"hi'y In this State with men of great
"oaIth' He said the need OF campaign
managers and publicity bureaus. the
necessity OF great expenditure in
seeking nominations was not the fault
OF the men who ran so much as of
the system which isolated tho peonle
VI the state from the managemcnt of
'nelr own affairs, and deprived thom
VI 'ne privilege of choosing their own
HONerhoFs at their own expense. The
''neuy' ne intimated. lay in the insti,
.""oh or nomination by direct prlmar-
res by which the voters would tl.n,-
So'Nes say who the nominees should
ne Mr.. De Beers slogan soemed IN
Self government at your own
eNpene if you follow vour inclirotin, %.
ne SAID he stood for the oqual,zation
is,,, unity and II that was ideal
"' would plead guilty Of il.
On the tax question Mr.. De Roer had
some equally positive ideas our
vi taxation. he declared WINS
one'e' inefficient ana onorassi,,
my years Under the prescnt sy,,a,,,
p''h real and personal nro,or.,. 49,
taxed equally. The result ts ,ha, a..
TAX upon low-interest secur,t,es g.
.o,I"'.n'ory' and since people do NOT
'"Ne kindly to conflscation ,rd s,rc,
me so-called intangibles aro hord -
u,s'oNer great amount of pronor,v
or this description, is nevor ,,a.o1
ne banks of the State are allowed
the special privilege OF paving n lou.
tax or seven mills. This was an tho
'hoory 'hat 1t was better to get some
'n'"s OUT or intangibles than to have
them entirely concealed. Competition
mas forced the rate OF interest whic,
'"e "ahks pay up to four per cent
ana IN order to pay this and the taxes
and make fair margin of profit they
are forced to lend at six per ce,+
This means that II young man IN
vermont wishes to buy farm or i'm,
prove 1t, he must pay six per cent.
for the money he gets. The banks
cannot AFFORD to lend to him for less.
and. inasmuch as a mortgage must be
listed and taxed just as a house and
lot would be, any other person would
better put his money in the bank at
four per cent untaxed than loan II at