News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-08-19
LIEUT.. GOVERNOR HOWE
States His Position on the Gov
ernOrShip Question.


Governor Frank e. Howe of this town
to-day announced himself receptive
candidate for the Republican nominal
ton for governor of Vermont, in the
following statement:
l have been asked and urged by many
people to become a candidate for the
governorship this year. have, also been
advised by few to keep out OF the
contest. Frankly, l should like to be
governor and should esteem it high
honor to be chosen as the Republican
standard bearer, in order to do all in
my power in support of certain princi-
Piles | believe to be essential to the
advance and prosperity of the state of
| Vermont.
Particularly l should like to be the
candidate this year, when there is no
cut and dried routine of political result
and when patriotic effort toward better
things and improved public service
should occupy SO large place in the
campaign.
There are numerous issues under dis
cussion, but many of them are details
to be worked out by the legislature and
success in this direction will be measured
| almost entirely by the character, abil-
| ity, experience and fitness of the men
whom the people choose to represent
them in the House and Senate.
The duties of a governor lie chiefly in
consecrating his counsel and influence
| toward solving the problems of the state.
| He should have judgment and courage
| in the use of his now enlarged veto
power in curtailing schemes of selfish
interest and to guard against the eX-
cesses of the visionary and incompe-
tent.
In this connection, it seems to me well
to consider few of the real issues that
Vermont must face and to study the
remedies proposed.
These issues are those which affect the
prosperity, efficiency, character, intelli-
gence, and welfare of our people.
have put prosperity first, as the higher
standards are seldom reached unless nur-
tured by at least fair degree of pros
perity.
The great need of Vermont at the
present time is greater efficiency in
state and local government. The state
and the several towns are increasing
their tax and debt burdens too rapidly
and without getting adequate return
for the money spent The fact that this
money is raised and expended in an hon
est 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
town raise money enough now to meet
all their needs if it were wisely and
prudently expended.
Local Efficiency
To promote higher degree of eff |
cheney in town and city government, |
suggest the following legislation:
~ Forbid the towns to assume bond |
ed indebtedness except by two third vote |
at meeting or election at which at |
least 25 per cent. of the voters are |
present.
~ Permit the town and cities at |
their own option to secure local eff |
cheney, by putting their business affairs
in the hands of business manager UNI |
der the supervision of a small commits |
sion elected by the voters of the town.
(3) Provide uniform system of town
accounting and permit town to cooper
ate when they desire in securing COM
petent road builders or in other impor-
tant public work.
State Efficiency
To increase the efficiency and economy
of state government few important
measures are most essential, though
many lesser ones are desirable:.
~ Make no appropriations, except in
case of emergency, unless the income
of the state will meet the appropriation
without any new tax levy and without
going into debt. In other words, make
the state live within its income.
~ Fix fiat sum payment to men,
bers of the legislature. This can he
done only by the voters positively in
structing their representatives and SEN
ators. Then dilatory methods and delay
will not add to the state burden. },
(3) Simplify court practice and re-
luce court expenses by following the
of Chief Justice Powers
Aid the course of justice by giving the
supreme court power to order terms of
,ourt held when the business of coun-
" demands such term. Provide that
,wo or three of the junior justices of
he supreme court shall assist in the
ircuit work of the county courts. Re-
luce the number of superior judges to
hree, not by removing any now in serv-
ce, but by filling no vacancies until the
superior bench shall consist of but three
Judges.
az Prepare to amend the constitution
n 1920 so that the legislature shall con-
list only of the House of Representa-
ives. No business, corporation, or or =
ANIMATION could prosper with two !;
'oards of directors, each having power .
o veto the action of the other, and :
ften jealous and suspicious of each d,
ther. The legislative system of two :
ouses is tremendously expensive and :
he experience of other countries has
roved it to be less efficient than a
ingle house system. Such a change
rould obviate the necessity Of a new
tate building that will cost the people
Vermont from quarter to half
lillion dollars.
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