Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-09-16


recommendations relative to changes
in our educational system premature
and unwise. We earnestly commend
the work of the commission to the
thoughtful attention of the legislature,
and Of all our people, to the end that
such legislation may be enacted as will
bring public education in Vermont to
the highest possible point of efficiency,
having regard not only to the indus
trial requirements of the state, but also
to the development of well-rounded
citizenship. Especially do we empha
size consideration of our common
schools which are justly recognized as
the foundation of our educational sys-
given ample financial support, eQuita-
bly, distributed and wisely expended;
that instruction therein be in the hands
of competent teachers, and that the
courses of study be such as to equip
the pupil for useful citizenship without
sitting his aspirations for higher learn
ing. We commend the policy hereto
| fore adopted of introducing courses in
vocational training in our secondary
schools. and urge such further extern
sions thereof as may be expedient.
SUFFRAGE
Recognizing the growing sentiment
| throughout the country in favor of
granting the right of suffrage to
women, and believing that the women
of Vermont are at least the equals of
| the women of other states in intelli-
gence and patriotism, we recommend
that at the first opportunity afforded, a
constitutional amendment giving wom-
en- an equal right of suffrage with
men be submitted to the voters of this
commonwealth.
HIGHWAYS
Again we emphasize the prime i'm
portance to the state of good roads.
Our development socially and industri-
ally demands the maintenance of a
policy that shall keep us fully abreast
of our sister states in respect to high.
way improvement. We believe the
present administration of our highway
system commends itself to all our
people. as embodying a maximum of
efficiency at minimum of expense.
We have thus far prosecuted our per-
manent highway work within our
income, thus avoiding the creation of
a bonded Indebtedness, a conservative
policy eminently wise in principle and
efficient in practice. We pledge our
selves to it's continuance, recommend
ing only such further legislative action
; as the general assembly may deem
necessary to supplement existing law
on the subject.
AGRICULTURE
We recognize the fact that agricul
ture continues to be the predominant
industry of our commonwealth. The
farm is and must continue to be the
foundation head of our material pros.
7 perity,-the corner stone of the new
Vermont. All measures, therefore
, looking to the upbuilding of agricul.
ture both in method and practica
r result, are commended to the favorable
| consideration of the general assembly
We believe that nowhere in the United
] States are there greater agricultural
opportunities than in Vermont
? markets, all other factors considered
We believe that the efficient work OF
our state publicity department ir
giving the widest possible publicity t
these undoubted opportunities should
be continued, not only as an encour
7 agement to our citizens to remain
/ upon the farms of Vermont, but as ar
r inducement to the farmers of othe1
states to seek homes within our Dor
: ders.
r The teaching of practical agriculture
should be prosecuted with vigor anc
! efficiency. Without disparagement OF
, neglect of the other educational inter
: ests Of the state, we bespeak for agri
/ cultural instruction through existing
agencies the most liberal and effective
: encouragement. We believe that the
, agricultural extension work inaugural.
, ed by the last general assembly where.
by practiced instruction in method is
} carried from the state agricultural
, college to the farm, is of great value
to our farming interests and should be
given generous financial support. We
, also suggest that in addition to his
other duties the commissioner of agri.
culture establish in his office depart.
ment of markets and department of
farm labor.
STATE AND MUNICIPAL ECON.
OMY
. We express our deliberate convic.
> ton that national, state and municipal
, extravaganza is one of the most crying
evils of the present day. To anticipate
. the. future by the creation of perma.
nent bonded Indebtedness is to mort.
!, gage the future-a policy economically
anSOunQ ana socially unWlSc, except CC
meet the most pressing civic demands
So also. to live beyond current income
! so as to necessitate temporary loans
> which gradually accumulate until al
increase in the tax rate, almost inevi
2 tably permanent, must be resorted tt
for relief, is equally unsound municipa
financiering. In so far as this tenden
cy towards public extravaganza can bt
= held in check by the establishment Of
a uniform system Of municipal account
: ing, by the encouragement of efficiency
h in the expenditure of the public reven
: ues, and by further limitations upol
f the debt-creating powers of our town!
!. and cities, we commend these measure!
!. to the favorable consideration of tn
e general assembly.
S We pledge ourselves to policy O.
n economy in state expenses; and tt
that ond wo rocOmmon1 q thoroI1rl