The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-02
ON TAX EXEMPTION
OF 5 PER CENT. LOANS
He Doesn't Presume to Say
Whether Barre Is
Right or Wrong

tween governor alien NJ. fletcher ana
| City Clerk Mackay was read before the
city council at its regular fortnightly
meeting last night. The governors lat
est letter is reply to that of the clerk
III which the latter asked if the execu-
tive had taken any steps toward secur-
ing a uniform Interpretation of the 1912
1913 tax law. Exchange of communica-
tions between Proctorsville and Barre,
the latter through its city clerk, began
some weeks ago when the governor was
lasked to secure an Interpretation of the
law from the supreme court, since it
had been shown that some towns and
cities in the state had ignored the opin-
ion of the attorney general on that part
of the statute which refers to the ex-
emption of per cent. loans.
in his first reply, which was read at
last weeks session of the aldermanic
board, Governor Fletcher said that fa-
yorable action on the request could not
come within the spirit, meaning and
limitation of that section of the law
bearing upon the powers of governor
in such connection Acknowledging
the second request of the council through
its clerk. the state executive describes
It's NOuitHlH bN SblltWudl HtlitIal III
character and not specific and rather
briefly proceeds to say that those who
have held to an opinion contrary to that
of the attorney general may be con
strained to feel that Barre and other
towns that have followed his directions
to the assessors to the letter are the
only yiolators of the law. Beyond this
seemingly rather cryptic statement, the
letter contains little that might be con-
strued to have bearing on the issue
Action on the petition, signed at
length by many taxpayers of the city,
is in reality held up, for the council
pursued the only open course last night
BY voting to accept the letter and place
it on file. Alderman Bancroft thought
the council should respect the office, If
not the man. as he put it, and accept
the letter. The acceptance followed on
his motion.
That the reader may judge as to the
generic tone of the clerks letter and the
intent OF the governors reply. the for
mers communication is herewith print.
ed and the executives reply follows;
".Iune %. 1918, Hon. Allen NJ Fletch-
er, governor, state of Vermont, Cayen
dish, Vt, Ny dear Sir:-Your esteemed
reply to the request of the city of Barre
relative to taking action in securing an
from the supreme court
on act No. 35 of the laws of l0l2-i9l3
was duly received by me, and placed be-
fore the board OF aldermen at its meet
ing last evening; and the same was ac-
cepted by them.
"This city being one of the few towns
and cities who complied strictly with
the attorney generals Interpretation of
the law, we naturally feel disappointed
that there is no way of getting an in
terpretation on this law from the SUI
preme court, without some individual be-
ing placed to the expense of securing the
same.
81 was requested by the board of al
iermen to ask what steps, if any, are
being taken by you to have act No. 81
lbove referred to, and the Interpretation
thereof. as given by the attorney gen
,ral. complied with by the several towns
ind cities in the state? If it were not
or the fact that the officers of the sew
,ral towns and cities in the state openly
tate that they have not complied with
lis law, ii would seem presumptuous for
IS to ask YOU this question; but we be-
ieve that it is your duty to see that
he laws of the state are enforced with
mt fear or favor; and we have no doubt
hat you viii take the necessary steps
o see that this law, viz:-No. 80, as
bove referred to, is enforced Yours
cry truly, James Mackay, cit clerk
The Governors Reply.
"Proetorsville, VT, June 30, 1912. Mr..
ames Mackay. city clerk of Barre, My
ear Sir:-You favor is received and
fhile somewhat general in its character
nd not specific. il will receive the con-
it deserves.
"Tt would seem. upon the threshold of
uch consideration, that one Of the ques
ons possibly raised by YOU is whether
he attorney generals construction of
tatute is the law in the state of Yer
lont until the supreme court has def
itely said what construction should be
ut upon the law. Possibly upon that
lbieet you have had the advice of your
tv attorney and your states attorney.
hose who might hold an opinion con-
AIRY to that of the attorney general
light be constrained to feel that the
tv of Barre and some other towns who
ave taken the same view of il. and
no are in the minority decidedly, are
le only violators of the law. Very
uly yours, Allen NJ. Fletcher, govern
Traction Company Quizzed
General Manager Harold S. Larabee of
ontpelier and Superintendent c. F. Mil
r, with Traction Manager William
orry, appeared at the request of the
ayor on hearing over the petition or
me $50 persons, who asked week ago
r better transportation facilities on
le traction line extending between
ARE and Montpelier. The petition was
rgely signed by wOrkingmen employed
the north end of the city and the
was made that the number
cars at the disposal of the public
ound congested hours of one and four
the afternoon and on Sundays and
lidays, was quite insufficient.
The representatives of the Tenney cor.
ration, which recently took over the