Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-11-25

n Vermont, especially since many
parts of the state are located at quite
a distance from the large markets and
the individual producer working single
handed, is somewhat handicapped in
selling his product, as we'll as in pro-
curing the things needed for the devel-
opment of his farm. Another salts
factory result ought to be the sinking
of petty jeaIousies and the develop.
ment of a broader spirit among those
engaged in the enterprise. Farmers
can we'll afford to get together in this
Times.
Montpelier.
Somebody has discovered that Mont
pelier. the capital Of Vermont, is much
smaller in population than any other
state capital in New England. An
interesting item of information, so far
as it goes, but that is not very far.
There are things of more Importance
than size that can be said of the beau
tiful little Green Mountain city.
For example. it is the third largest
insurance center in New England. AMI
it has many manufacturing interests
proportion to it's population. The
clothes pin is humble article. but no
one will deny that it is useful. Mont
pelier furnishes clothes pins for the
world-about thirty million of them
every year. 1t is also an important
center of the granite trade. in which
it has forty companies engaged. 1t
manufactures sawmill machinery, all
kinds of saddlery supplies, hardware,
travelling. cranes, confectionery, and
other goods. It also has a claim to
distinction in the dignity and beauty of
it's many public buildings The state
house, the public library. the United
States government building, the city
hall, the art, gallery and the new high
school building are all excellent exam
Piles of architecture suited to a special
purpose. The city, which gets its
name from Montpelier, France. be-
came the capital of Vermont in 1905,
less than twenty years after the first
permanent settlement was made there.
The Youths Companion.
The Offset.
A determined effort will be made at
the coming legislative session to repeal
or radically amend the tax law passed
two years ago. From every quarter
come complaints of its unjust opera
tiOH. AIopIIldl1y w OOOCOIS
of the abolition of the offset privilege
without corresponding advantage in
lowered tax rate or reduced interest
charges. There is nothing to it for
| them except to dig deeper into their
pockets and pay more. while they see
their opulent neighbors smile COM
placently over lessened burden. 1t
does not "set'' we'll. The law of 1912.
given two years trial, has proven a
failure as measure OF tax equaliza-
ton. At the coming session various
remedies will be suggested A push
will be m de for the adoption of the
flat rate on intangibles. That question
ought to be settled on its merits and
not COMPOUNDED with the abolition of
| the Offset, or joined with it. There
should be privilege of offset for debts
justly owing. No man should pay
taxes on goods in his possession that
/ are in effect the property of another
who is exempted. nor should there be
double taxation whenever it is practical
to avoid it. There have been grave
abuses of the offset. but this should
not condemn the honest offset, which is
the rule. Our suggestion for an effec-
tive method of asserting out the good
from the bad is to have the personal
property in ones possession April l,
duly appraised by the listers as at
present and set against the taxpayer.
Then let day or days be fixed by the
listing board or board of civil authori-
ty for the hearing of claims for offsets
and let such taxpayers as owed any
thing to anybody on April 1 which
should be deducted from their appraisal
appear before the board, and be ex-
amined under oath. and required to
furnish documentary evidence if the
board sees fit Then let the board
allow such offsets as appear just and
honest and disallow the other kind.
There would be little trouble. under
this method. in removing the complaint
of dishonest Offsets and the list woulc
represent the sum that ought to be
fairly set to the names of the several
taxpayers. Putting the bonus on thu
claimant for offset and compelling hin
to appear and make oath would seem 9
practical measure for saving the
honest and now oppressed debtor the
rights that are fairly his.-Randolpt
Herald and News.
Mexico.
| It is in no spirit of carping criticism
thHt The Herald calls attention to the
complete and utter failure Of the
presidents policy of ''watchful wait
ling" ia Mexico. It has been urgpt