St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-11-20

The legislature of the state of Yer
mont is facing a crisis in it's history
a decision of which will determine
whether it is to be really progressive
or simply a commonplace body. The
situation was revealed by statements
made by the chairmen of the appro
priations committee and the ways
and means committee to the members
of the house last week. Mr.. Billings
called attention to the fact that TWEEN
ty appropriation bills had been in
troduced calling for appropriations
of S35O,0O0 and Mr.. Weeks stated
that the estimated revenue for the
state government for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1913 was $1,7O4,-
67255 and the expenditures $1,752,-
600 leaving a deficit of approximately
$4,000. For the two years ending
June 80, 1914 the resources would
be $3,454,OOO and the expenditures
$500, 900 leaving a deficit of $751;
900. He then warned the legislators
that if all the appropriations were
granted a direct state tax would be
necessary. The purpose of both gen
tlemen of course was to scare the
members in the matter of making
appropriations.
This is no new condition. Every
pirate more money than the sources
of revenue would yield and most leg
islatures have discriminating
slaughtered appropriations for the
purpose of avoiding expense. If the
present legislature follows in the
same course it Will smother all effort
to make the state progressive and
prevent it from rendering the SER
vice public veal demands. We
would not claim that all the sppro-
priations asked for should be made.
Doubtless some of them should not
and the legislature will act wisely in
refusing them.
What we would advocate at this
time is a careful but broad considera-
ton of what the state really ought
to do; how much it should build
roads, maintain schools, help higher
institutions of learning, care for the
degenerate and unfortunate, regulate
public service, encourage conserva-
tism and promote agriculture. Then
figure what it will probably cost.
Then study the probable revenues the
state will receive from the sources
already established and see how the
figures compare. Then means should
be devised for raising the necessary
revenues. This would be a broad
and constructive policy. The ac-
complishment of these things would
place the present legislature in al
class by itself. 1t would place Yer
mont on a higher level and make it
one of the most advanced states in
the union. To properly meet these
questions the legislature cannot
think of adjournment before Thanks
giving, possibly not by Christmas,
but the work accomplished would
Justify the prolonged session.
The present legislature is especial
ly fitted for this great work. In it's
membership are men acquainted with
the needs of the state and the legis-
lation necessary to fill the demands.
In the executive chair is a man who
has for the last decade been familiar
with the demands upon the legis-
lature and the means devised for
meeting them. He too is especially
well informed as to what legitimate
undertakings the state shoul pledge
it's support. If he and they will get
together and seriously undertake the !
extensive work suggested they will
be doing a great service for the state |
and make for themselves a name that
will endure. We hope they will |
adopt the advanced course and be