The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-08-06
Rutland Man Would Accept
Republican Nomination
for Governor
GIVES VIEWS ABOUT
MANY STATE ISSUES
Favors Budget as Aid to Legislators
i'll Transaction of Business Believes
i'll Reorganization of School System
and Less Expensive Judiciary.
Especial to The Reformer.)

and Less Expensive Judiciary.
| Especial to The Reformer.)
RUTLAND, Aug 6.
IerclVal w. Clement made announce
mont today of his candidacy for the
| Republican nomination for governor of
Vermont in the following statement:
To the Republicans of Vermont
Through the newspapers and in many
private letters my name has been sua-
gested as a candidate for governor of
Vermont. If nominated by the Repub-
licaA party, l should like to make the
campaign
In a Republican form of government
political parties are necessary to a good
administration of public affairs
a non-paFtisan candidate is like a
prIVateer of war. Responsible to no
party and therefore not to be relied
upon TO assist in constructive legisla-
tlon-tor that Is the work of parties
not of individuals-he must remain a
political privateer until some party is
| developed to fit his principles, or until
he can adapt his principles to some
effective political organization.
| The executive head of a state should
nave the support of dominant party
and be accountable to that party for his
official acts. In this way only can re-
+, sponsible public government be estab-
lished.
In times past l have made some pro-
posals for change in state government
and public policies which have been
adopted, and among them proper
system of accounting. Under the di-
rectlon Of the auditor of accounts we
now nave complete statement Of the
state receipts from taxes and its eX-
penses, but We fail to make the best
use of the knowledge we have at hand
We ought to get this information to the
attention Of the legislators before they
convene to take action upon the state
business.
Our Legislators are honest men, tho,
roughly imbued with the Importance OF
the work they have undertaken, but
9 Tor the most part they are inexperienc
! ell In legislation, and consequently the
Y first part OF each session is occupied
in getting acquainted with the need;
> OF the state, and the real legislative
q action Is crowded into the last days
I, of the session when the voters are, call
II ing for adjournment. When sessions
i have been prolonged it has been be
: cause the Legislators, through being I'm
II acquainted with measures proposed
have been at loss to know wha
should be done, and not, so far as
know, because the members are inclin
ed to spin out the time of the session
for the per diem compensation.
G budget should be prepared from
the auditor accounts, showing on on
side the income of the state from al
te sources and upon the other the expense
o. which must be met, such as court e1
- penses, the cost of the state hospita
nr prisons, etc, and in addition the e1
i. penses of schools, highways, etc. whic
IL are somewhat more open to legislativ
I'm action, and lastly the balance of incom
he which is at the disposal of the incon
ing legislation.
If such budget were properly PR
pared and placed in the hands of th
Legislators 80 days before the legisl;
ture convenes, the members could il
form themselves upon the gener;
nd business of the state and be prepare
for action in the early days of the Sc
sion.
u | believe such plan would be We
at coined by the legislators themselye
to and such a budget would aid in cuttir
it down state expenses, which have reac
up ell a formidable sum.
In 1908 the general expenses of Il
IN state government were 1867 900;
he 1905, $5SQ,000; in 1907, $676,000;
1909, $S42, 900; in 1911, $1,077 900;
1913, 9I,493, 900. These were all leg
lative years, and do not include t
cost of the administration of justice
the courts.
ire The expenses of the courts show
steady increase also. In 1903 t
courts cost $23S, ,000 and in 1913, SIS
pa 600. The salaries of the judges ha
for been properly increased, but that "
ex- not account for the increased annl
the cost Of $l45,000 court expenses vi
led litigation remaining about the same.
by 1t is apparent that notwithstandi
Me- the high character of the judges
present system of supreme, superi
municipal and justice courts has beco
somewhat costly and complex, and
should be scrutinized with view
more simplicity and economy.
The steadily mounting totals of ST
to expense should also be carefully
viewed especially in the departme
of legislative expense, the administ
tai tion of justice and the conduct of
Sew various state commissions, departme
acI- and institutions, with q view TO {
the reeting extravaganza, 50 that m
por money may be had for those enterpri
ime which bring a substantial return to