Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-10
Fletcher's Inaugural Address a
Brief, Businesslike Summary
of Leading Issues.
SUPPORTS ADVANCED IDEAS
Has No Fear Of a Direct State
Tax and Believes in Careful
Rather Than Hurried
Legislation.


calm and dignified, CARRIED in a long
black frock coat took the oath Of of
flee as governor in Representatives
hall this afternoon and made a brief
address to the joint assembly.
The joint assembly convened OF 2:15
and a committee was Immediately APP
pointed to wait upon the Governor and
escort him to the bar of the House.
The Supreme court was In attendance,
and Chief Judge Rowell administered
the official obligation as nonchalantly
as If he was swearing a witness in
county court, and his curt Sign the
OATH" after the oath had been admin
istered. showed no trepidation in the
presence of the chief magistrate Mr..
Fletcher seated himself at the table
where the book of oaths was ready for
his signature, drew his glasses from
his inner pocket. and signed in clear
hand without a sign Of nervousness
or a particle Of tremor. The final cul-
mination of the long and bitter contest
that has been waged in the state was
tame in comparison with what had
preceded ii.
The new Governor made no attempt
at a lengthy message and had no pre-
pared address, but for 10 minutes
talked concisely and forcefully on the
questions of Importance confronting
the Legislature and the action that
ought to be taken In regard to them.
His address was undisturbed by any
applause but the signs of approval
were marked at the close. 1t is plain
from the brief remarks he made that
the Governor will be found In line
with all advanced ideas for really
progressive legislation in Vermont
that he has no fear of direct State
tax, and that he believes in careful
rather than hurried legislation. The
full text of the Governors remarks is
as follows:
DISCUSSES PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
Mr.. President. Gentlemen of the
General Assembly: / will at this time
briefly submit to you certain suggestions
that may possibly be of service to you
in Your present deliberations, and 1 will
at some convenient future time COM
municate with you more at length.
"To my mind, gentlemen. the par
amount issue in the State of Vermont
at this time, and the most serious mat
ter that you have to come before you.
and to consider. Is intelligent legislation
regarding the investments Of Vermont
money in the State of Vermont. And by
intelligent legislation. ! mean such leg
islation AS will not interfere with our
present general system of taxation, but
which will give the relief desired with
out disturbing condition which exists
in this State. and which, permit me to
say. differs radically from any other
State in our broad land. Vermont stands
alone with her system of taxation In
that she has no Ste'e debt in the sense
that you understand the term, further
she has no general State tax and you
should hesitate materially before you
alter a condition which in many re-
spccts is more to the credit of this
State than any other State has been
able to put Into effect.
Il wish to speak to you for a moment
relative to our court procedure and our
judiciary In this State. Some six years
ago radical change was adopted, it was
understood in so doing that we would
economize and save money. and that we
would simplify and expedite litigation.
Now. l think We have accomplished some
thing in advancing litigation, in expedit-
ing litigation, but do not think, gem
tlemen. that we have accomplished that
which We should, when you take into
consideration the increase In the cost to
the State of Vermont for the same, and
wish to call your serious considerable
to that matter. Then would suggest, II
may. that in your municipal court pro-
cedure IL In your jury trials a full jury
of IL men were given. and there was no
appeal from a judgment of fact. you
would accomplish results, you would SIM
plify and expedite.
CONSERVATION OF POWER.
II would like to call your attention to
the question of conservation OF water
power in this State believe. gentlemen.
the time has arrived in Vermont when a
principal of State policy should be laid
down in effect thus: No charters here
after should be granted carrying with
them right of emient domain, which did
not place that corporation within the con-
troll of the public service commission,
with the power to lay down such rules
and regulations as would give the people
of Vermont the first right to the use Of
that power, subject to fair and equitable
conditions.
'fentlenen, no manufacture from
without this States Is going to come into
Vermont and locate here If il can get
the power transmitted to it cheaper than
the cost of fuel to the Manufacture
without the State And If your power in
time Is all taken up without any conser-
walton to provide for the development
of this State hereafter but not whether
that comes within the control of good
state policy And ! would recommend to
you that the present charters now exist
Ing in the State be amended to bring
them within a distinct State policy. and
the interests of Vermont. In a fair. right
and proper way.
THE University of Vermont: The
State, having given that institution it's
name. having elected to really control
Il In effect by electing a majority OF Its
trustees. Is morally bound, in my mind.
To increase IT, usefulness in every legiti
mate and proper way. Gentlemen. ! feel
at this time forced to say to you that
think its medical department and Its agri-
cultural department need material as
sistance at your hands, and I hope II will
receive II.
NOT BEST TO RUSH LEGISLATION.
II should like to say In conclusion
this: 1t is a season when you hear from
various sources that the interests of the
State will be advanced by your early
adjournment and working hard and GO