The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-08-11

STATEMENT BY MR.. HOWE
Tells His Attitude Toward the Repub'
lican Nomination

the Following statement OF his atti-
tude toward the Republican nomina-
tion for the governorship:
have been asked and urged by
many people to become a candidate
for the governorship this year. !
have also been advised by a few to
keep out of the contest Frankly. l
should like to be governor and should
esteem il high honor to be chosen
as the Republican standard bearer in
order to do all in my power in sup
port of certain principles | believe to
be essential to the advance and pros
perity of the state of Vermont.
Particularly should like to be the
candidate this year when there is
no cut and dried routine of political
result and when patriotic effort tow
ard better things and improved pub
lie service should occupy So large a
place in the campaign.
There are numerous issues under
discussion but many OF them are de
tails to be worked out by the legisla
ture ana success in this direction will
be measured almost entirely by the
character, ability, experience and flt-
ness of the men whom the people
choose to represent them in the
House and Senate.
The duties of a governor lie chiefly
in conseoratng his counsel and in-
fuence toward solving the problems
of the state. He should have iudg
ment and courage in the use of his
Row enlarged veto power in curtail-
ing schemes of selfish interest and 10
guard against the excuses of the Wis
ionary and incompetent.
In this connection il seems to me
well TO consider few OF the real
issues that Vermont must face and
to study the remedies proposed. W
These issues are those which af-
feet the prosperity. efficiency charac-
ter intelligence. and welfare of our
people | have put prosperity first,
as the higher standards are seldom
reached unless nurtured by AT least .
fair degree of prosperity.
The great need of Vermont at the
present time is greater efficiency in
state and local government. The
state and the several towns are in
creasing their tax and debt burdens
too rapidly and without getting ade-
quate return for the money spent.
The fact that this money is raised
and expended in an honest attempt
to advance should spur us to achieve
better results. The state can aid
itself and the towns by legislating
toward efficiency. The state and the
towns raise money enough now TO
meet all their needs If it were wisely
and prudently expended.
To promote a higher degree OF ef-
ficiency in town and city government
suggest the following legislation:
"a Forbid the towns to assume
bonded Indebtedness except by two
thirds vote at a meeting or election
at which AT least % per cent of the
voters are present.
(2) Permit the towns and cities
at their own option to secure local eff.
lciency. by putting their business az
fairs in the hands of a business man.
ager under the supervision of small
commission elected by the. voters OF
| the town.
CD Provide uniform system OF
town accounting and permit towns to
cooperate when they desire in secur.
ing competent road builders or in
other important public work.
To increase the efficiency and
economy of state government a few
important measures are most essen
tial though many lesser ones are de
sirable:
IL Make no appropriations. ex.
cept in case of emergency. unless the
income OF the state will meet the APP
preparation without any new tax levy
and without going into debt. In other
words. make the state live within its
income.
40 Fix a fiat sum payment to
members of the legislature. This
can be done only by the voters posi-
lively instructing their representa-
tiyes and senators. Then dilatory
methods and delay will not add to
the state burden.
(3D Simplify court practice and
reduce court expenses by following
the suggestions of Chief Justice
Powers. Aid the course of justice by
giving the supreme court power Ia
order terms Of court held when the
business OF a county demands such q
term. Provide that two OF three oil
the junior Justices of the supreme
court shall assist in the circuit work
OF the county courts. Reduce the
number OF Superior judges to three
not by removing any now in service
but by filling no vacancies until tie
Superior bench shall consist of bun
three judges
t4D Prepare TO amend the Consti
tuition in 1920 so that the legislature
shall consist OF only the House OF
Representatives. No business. coz
poration. or organization could pros
per with two boards of directors
each having power TO veto the action
Of the other. and often Jealous and
suspicious of each other. The legis-