Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
Governor Recommends a Pur-
chasing Agent Furnishes
Food for Thought.
HOUSE AGREES TO RECESS
Flat Rate Tax Bill Goes Over
until January-Consolida-
ton of Commissions
Is Proposed.

Montpelier, Dec. 1e.-Governo"
FLETCHER created something of a sen
sation this afternoon by a messar"
sent to the General Assembly and
has furnished some solid material for
the members to consider during the
holiday recess The message has been
expected for some time and covers
matters in which the opinion Of the
Governor has been we'll known.
The important feature is the rec.
ommcndation for purchasing com.
missioner who shall buy all the sup.
plies for state institutions and mate
rial for construction work
This is recommended as a measure
of economy and to bring publicity -
bear on all these matters, which IRE
now concealed. not Intentionally be-
cause of the different ways in when
and the various agencies through
which supplies are now purchased
The message in full is as follows
81 desire to call your attention :,
the fact that the statute creating the
office of commissioner of weights and
measures carries with II no fixed ap.
propriation or Limitation whatsoever
rs 70 the amount that may be expend-
ed by that department, and with no
desire or intention to criticize tlat
department. in any respect, 7 suggest
that specific biennial appropriation
be made for the use of the department
Of weights and measures
And ] further wish to call your at
tention to the fact that at the present
time all fuel light and supplies of every
nature used at the State institutions are
purcha sed by the heads OF the various
Institutions or their agents
II am convinced that II one man could
purchase all these supplies very ma
terial saving would be made for the
State because the buying would be at
wholesale rather than retail rates. This
IS business method practiced with
beneficial results by many large corpora
lions.
MIGHT ABOLISH STATE PRINTER
II therefore earnestly recommend, for
your serious consideration, that the offlce
of State purchasing agent be created. This
agent should purchase all the supplies of
all the State institutions. also all material
for construction work. II might also be
agent to purchase all stationery and Office
supplies of the State, to enter into con-
tracts for public printing and the pur-
chase of supplies incident to the session
| of the Legislature. thereby abolishing the
Office of State printer. If it is not deemed
advisable to give the purchasing agent
the duties Of the commissioner of public
| printing, / recommend that the office Of
public printing be put upon a salaried
instead OF per diem basis.
by centralizing purchase of all sup
plies in one office, you would. l believe.
not only save the State large amount
of money but you would also bring the
agents every act into the limelight Of
publicity and publicity is the very
essence of advanced constructive legsla-
ton to the end of good government"
When the message had been read in
the House. Mr.. Proctor of Proctor moved,
and the motion was adopted, that the
speaker appoint committee OF three TO
consider the matters referred to In the
message and report by bill or otherwise.
1t Is expected that the committee Will
be named tomorrow morning. and 1t is
expected to include Mr. Proctor Of Proc
tor Mr. Watson of St. Adams and some
substantial progressive like Mr.. Cook of
Lyndonville
SAVES BANKS $500 a YEAR,
The House has amended the Senate
bill relating to the bank commissioner,
reducing the proposed salary of 5000 to
E. 800 and making certain allowances for
rent. light, fuel and clerical assistance
An attempt was made to redGN, the sal
nry when the bill considered in the
Senate but failed because 1t was pointed
out that the salary was PAID by the
banks and that they desired to have the
salary made large enough so that a
competent man could afford to give suf-
ficient time to make the inspection thor
ough and satisfactory
Mr.. Laird in the Senate this morning
opposed the bill which prohibits a per-
son engaged in the liquor business from
holding public office. He claimed that II
was a gross Inconsistency for the State
90 lcgalize a certain business and then
deprive a man Of his fun rights of cti-
zcnship IL he engaged in it, He said the
principal thing that brought about the
adoption OF the present local option law
which he believed less desirable thar
prohibition, was the extreme demands
IF certain prohibitionists. and he believed
that such legislation as the bill pro-
posed would dscredit .c present law
Mr. Dyer of Addison, Mr. Mower of Chit
tendon and Mr. Roy of Caledonia en-
do sed the bill and it received favorable
action,
The sterilization bill was ordered Il
lie in the Senate this afternoon. on
motion of Mr. Dale, principally that 4
might he discussed in executive SEES
sion, as there were many visitor!
present when it came up for consider
alton.
HOLIDAY RECESS FIXED.
The last business of the House THU
afternoon was to adopt without amend
ment the Senate resolution relating L
adjournment, which provides for a re
,ess from Friday to Monday evening
January 6. without pay and with full
mileage.
The commission appointed to con
slider the need of more room in thu
state House or for State officers Il
composed of some OF the busiest mel
In the General Assembly and has no
had time to give the matter such con
sideration as would enable them L
make the kind of report they desire
On motion of Mr., Blanchard OF Wind
sor the Senate has voted that THU
commission be allowed to sit durilt