The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-07

VTI
ing over our. state roads entirely and
bonding the state for their construct
ion as other states have done, but by
retaining the town as the unit, recog
nizing the towns as partners, and aid
| ing literally such as will help them.
| selves, thus encouraging individual
| effort and stimulating town pride, un.
| til every town in the state but two
| have taken advantage of the law at
| sometime since its passage. This
plan is producing live, competent
| road men in every part of the state,
and has developed a growing. healthy
sentiment which no doubt has result
ed in greater improvement for the
money expended than would have
beenam tarekah clhrhv coaL-e ETAE
been possible under complete control.
The tendency towards large de-
gree of state control in this and in
other departments brings forcibly to
our attention. the matter of state ex-
pense. This has steadily grown in
volume during the past ten years, and
has been given wide publicity. BY
some this increase it deemed to large
from every viewpoint; by others ii is
deemed none too large il value is re-
ceived
A careful perusal of the reports of
the different state departments will re
veal the fact that almost every depart
ment is growing, and many of them
will need larger appropriations, il we
permit their growth and meet the de
mands
Vermont is not backward in its
views. Our people will not balk at
expense that is necessary. They DO
not want to go without those things
that build for a better citizenship. or
for the states best prosperity. We
need not hesitate to build well for
Vermont-as well as our finances will
permit. But this fact confronts us in
our dellberations-this year is about
the turing point in our state financial
situation, where increased expendit-
ures from whatever cause will have
to be met by direct state tax Rigid
economy is absolutely essential TO a
favorable balance sheet Every un-
necessary expense should be cut out,
and items of new expense to the state
should he carefully scrutinized, even
though their purpose is entirely laud-
able and desirable. | am reminded
here OF the phrase in our state Con
stitutiOn, which reads And previous
TO any law being made to raise a tax,
the purpose for which ii is to be rais
ed ought to appear evident to the leg
islature to be of more service to the
community than the money would be
If not collected" This might well be
our guide in making appropriations.
am quite confident that the good
judgement of this body can be depend
ed upon to handle this matter salts
factorily.
The expense of our meeting here is
heavy under the most favorable Gil
cumstances. This fact should not
however, deter us from the fullest de-
liberation over all important meas
ures. Inadequate or illconsdered leg
islation might be productive of NOR
harm to the state than increased ex-
pense
Let us endeaver to eliminate all un-
necessary legislation, and undue de- |
lay of proper legislation. Let us
Ia M So, hA Of
We do not introduce, rather than the |
we do introduce. In short, |
let this session, the first to be held |
under the change in our Constitution, |
be CONSPICUOUS for the quality of its
work completed in the shortest time
consistent with thoroughness, and we |
will best serve the state, and our eff |
forts are certain TO be apprecited.
| deem ii wise at this time to go in |
to detail on the various subjects that |
will engross our attention, such as dir
ect primary. workmen's compensat-
ion, the judiciary, education, agricult-
ure, and such changes in our statutes
as are necessary to conform to our
changed Constitution. Educational |
matters on account of their import
ance will demand our special attent-
ion, and, in this connection, let me re-
fer to the most liberal proposal which
we have received from the Hon. Theo-
dore N. Vail, OF Lyndonville, who Of
fers the Lyndon Agricultural School
and Speedwell Farms, fully equipped
as free gift to the state for educat-
ional purposes. Your favorable cons
liberation of this offer is earnestly rec
| will be glad to communicate with
you later as occasion may require,
and in connection with all these mat
ters | promise you my best efforts,
and | shall need your kind consldera-
lion and assistance. ] request you in
iividually to give me at any time
such views as you may wish to ex-
press on legislation of Importance.
extend to you my hearty good
wishes for the successful outcome of
his session.
The retiring message of Gov. A. NJ.
was lengthy document in
which he reviewed many of the Incl
lent of his administration. A portion
If the message is as follows:
The governor recommended a ma