The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-02-24
town highway fund, is antiquated and

Under the fourth item, It must b.
decided whether we shall have ont
or more grand Jurors. A year age
the meeting voted to elect but one
Query, whether the selection OF bu
one grand juror has not been produc
tive of confusion, inconvenience an,
perhaps injustice?
Under article nine, we are required
to vote this year on two questions
one, the customary question, whether
license for the sale of Intoxicating
liquor shall be granted in this town
two, a new question, whether licenses
of the fifth class shall be granted in
this town. Licenses of the fifth class
are druggists licenses. If a majority
answers yes" to the first question
the vote on the second question is
void.
Under item ten we must vote to ac-
cept or reject the proposed amend
ments to our State constitution.
These are in the main very important
and deserve a wide discussion. 1t is
doubtful if these proposals have been
adequately discussed. They shouiu
be carefully considered before the
meeting. Personally, | am opposed
to proposal two, which changes the
times of holding elections and of the
converting of the legislature. The
adoption of this proposal would de
prive us of many advantages which
cannot be set forth in this space
and would undoubtedly result in
special session of the present legisla-
ture for the purpose of making many
changes in our present statutes
which the adoption of this proposal
would necessitate.
The qualifications of voters on
these proposals of amendment are
the same as those required of voters
at general elections, t. e., our biennial
fall election, and are not the same as
those required of voters at our ordi-
nary town meeting. For example, a
freeman who would be entitled to
vote in town meeting were it not for
the fact that his taxes are unpaid, is.
nevertheless, entitled to vote on con-
stitutional amendments. Thus those
inmates of the Soldiers Home, who
are not citizens of Bennington, but
who were entitled to vote the State
ticket at the last general election,
are, while not entitled to vote for
town officers, entitled to vote on con-
stitutional amendments. 1t may be-
noted that the item in the warning
relating to this matter refers to the
"freemen," therefore those of the
"freemen" who are not entitled TO
vote for town officers, should inform
4 hau a1xync m trhnthnr thAxr
entitled to vote on these proposals of
amendment and II they are so en-
titled, should have their names put
on the check list for that purpose.
Article twelve relates to the voting
of the town taxes, l. e. the rate of
taxation. The answer to this item
may in some degree be influenced by
the action of the present Assembly.
On Thursday last the House voted to
exempt from taxation money loaned
in this State at a rate of interest
not exceeding Az per cent and to
abolish offsets, l. g. the right of the
taxpayer to have deducted from the
valuation of his personal estate the
debts which he owes. If this meas
ure becomes law, or II, as is propos-
ed by many, the legislature votes to
tax either tangible or intangible per-
sonal property at a fiat rate regard
less of local rates, it is apparent that
the ordinary standards by which we
usually decide what our tax rate
shall be, will be materially changed.
This has already been done to a
limited extent by the transfer to dhe
village of the water system which
now becomes largely exempt from
taxation. The fat rate measure, if
applied to all personal property
would. ! believe, decrease our grand
list considerably. whereas the aboli- |
ton of offsets without the fiat rate
feature would increase our grand |
list. This situation is further COM
plicated by the fact that the Ways |
and Means committee in the House |
has put in bill to levy a direct |
state tax. Its fate is uncertain.
Article thirteen relates to the ap- |
of money for permanent |
under the State depart /
ment. II should be noted that the |
which by law may be voted |
under this section and which the |
state matches dollar for dollar, has
been increased by a recent statute,
from $3.50 to $1,000.
Article fourteen is a new feature. |
This article, and the new state sta
tute referred to therein, are due,
am told. to the offer of the national |
to send an agricultural
expert to this county at an expense
to the towns of the county of $1,000.
Our share of that amount, computed |
upon the proportion which our grand
list bears to the total list of the
county. would be s4961l. Thanking
you, / am,
Very truly,
r. e. Healy.
Ri fo4h tato