The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-12
THE IMPORTANT ISSUE
&. w. Gibson Writes More at Length
On His Suggestions.

III uloSu5oiHS thC pa amSuhe ioouS
in the next campaign, suggested
constructive legislation, stated in the
rough, as follows:
l. A law providing for nomlna-
lions of candidates for public office
by a direct vote.
2. A law, working forfeiture OF
office If violated, preventing the IL
legitimate use of money, and limit
ing its legitimate use, in securing
nominations or elections.
3. An anti-lobby law preventing
paid lobbyists or agents from COM
municating directly with members of
the Legislature. and limiting their
activities to appearances before leg
islative committees.
4. Change in our tax laws which
will do away with present inequalities
and place the burdens upon all equal
ly.
5. Laws which will prevent I'M
just combinations for the establish
ment and maintenance of prices OF
necessities of life.
6. The encouragement of a more
intensive agriculture by placing
knowledge of requisites within the
reach OF all the citizens of the State.
Z. Legitimate and sane conserva-
ton and protection of natural re-
sources to the people
8. Continuance of the policy OF
improving our highways.
9. The practical betterment of
our school system by placing. with
out discrimination, the opportunity OF
education within the reach of all our
children.
10. More efficient laws to guard
the morality of communities and
thereby the health OF our people.
IL. Just and fair laws to protect
and encourage those who labor and
produce our wealth.
In an editorial comment on the let
ter The Banner says,
1T will strike the careful observer
that while Judge Gibsons suggestions
are good, they are almost too indie
finite to be of value Many things
sound we'll in general statement, but
in order to make them available they
have to be reduced to specific terms
Solely with a desire to aid the gener
al understanding OF the issues before
the state. the Bennington Banner
hopes that Judge Gibson will develop
his argument along more specific
lines.
For instance, anybody can advo
cate changes in our tax laws which
will do away with present inequalit
les and place the burden upon al
equally" but the statement means
nothing without a working plan tina
will be accepted by the state. Would
you abolish Offsets and fix a fiat rat'
on intangibles; or would you d.
away with taxes on intangibles entire
~ and let Offsets run against mort
cages. as well as against persona
property? How would you force
town. to choose competent listers whit
will live up to their oaths of office?
"In another instance, how do yoi
propose to enact laws which proven
unjust combinations for the establish
ment and maintenance OF prices o
necessities OF life," as long as thes'
combinations are mostly outside th'
state and beyond the control Of Yer
mont law?
Thirdly. what do you suggest II
the way OF more efficient laws L
guard the morality OF communities?
II is easy to deal in generalities tina
glitter, but more difficult to deliye
the goods that prove effective.
Again what would you do TO Sc
cure the practical betterment 4
our school system?" Would you asl
the voters to tax themselves heayie
for school purposes, or would yo'
ask the teachers to do more for thei
money!"
Your criticism as to some OF m,
suggestions Is Just. did not at
tempt In my Free Press letter to stat
specific remedies. One who coulI
truly point the way would surel,
merit the everlasting gratitude OF hi
fellow citizens. Even the party plat
form. the voice OF the party men o
wisdom In convention assembled d
not always suggest definite method
OF solution. However, II Is only RICH
that should so far as | am able, sur
plement the suggestions made wit
such specific remedies as occur I
me. | will cover two OF the subject
In this article and leave taxation an
some OF the other matters for consit
Grafton In a later issue. am takin
the liberty OF celebrating Somewha
In treating the two subjects herei
discussed for the purpose OF shown
the need OF changes | advocate.
/. The guarding OF health Is one O
the important duties OF government
In discharging that duty we hay
/ leglslated specifically concernln
some contagious and communicate
diseases: have expended hundreds O
thousands of dollars In safeguardin
b the public health. Due we have n
specific regulations concerning, an
treat with too much indifference
those vice diseases which statistic
show to be the most dangerous by rea
son OF being the most powerful FAC
tor in the degeneration Of the worlC
and the most contagious by reason Q
the many ways OF communication.
Too few fully realize the extent O
their prevalence. especially the mos
loatheEome. or appreciate their TAI
b reaching effects. moral and physics
to the victims and political to III
state. Graphic articles In some Q
! our leading magazines the Report Q
President Rooseyelts Homes Con
I mission. the proceedings OF medioa
societies speak generally. | do nc
care to go into sickening details. Su
. Zee II to say that three millio
, cases annually receive treatment I
this country. and that nearly ever
2 community Is represented In the lis
! These diseases are responsible 70
E large percentage Of cases OF blin'
!. ness naralvsir. aud paresis. The