The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-01-14
coy. c. W. GATEs's sALUTAToRY

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Parental Control on the Part Of th
State. Urges Rigid Economy an
Elimination Of Unnecessary Le2is
lsfion.
Our Constitution provides for a gov
eminent Of three OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
latiye, executive. and iudicial--witl
functions separate and distinct, and
yet, the departments are so relates
that they are dependent upon eacI
ether. Especially is this true of th'
Legislative and executive department.
which we today represent in this Join
assembly, convened according to oul
Constitution and time-honored custom
In exercising the privilege OF ad
dressing you today, shall be very
brief, and shall only in general way
refer 10 the work that is before us
Let me at the outset emphasize the
Importance Of our keeping constantly
In mind the fact that We have beer
elected by the people whose servants
we are, and by whom our acts will be
Judged. While our election by the
people for this purpose is an honor
rightly to be appreciated, yet, nothing
short Of full realization of our re-
sponsibility to them, and the conscien-
tious discharge Of our duty will bring
us an honorable acquittal at their
hands. To this end our best thought
and application is essential
Never before have the voters of the
state taken more active notice of the
acts Of its public servants than at the
present time. Increased publicity of
all matters relating to legislative and
executive action creates familiarity
with state problems, and this in turn
results in decided opinions-opinions
varying widely on almost every ques-
ton of Importance, which often makes
the discovery of the proper solution
very difficult task--difiicult because
ofttimes opinions most vigorously ex-
pressed may lead us astray. 1t is
sometimes our highest duty to oppose
what might seem overwhelming pub
&c opinion. We are here to deliberate,
to weigh the facts, to legislate wisely.
We must also take into account the
rapid change that has occurred in
business, social, and political ideas.
So rapid has been this change that
some basic principles are in danger of
being swept aside to satisfy the pop
ular will. One Of the most evident
manifestations Of this change is The
tendency to place upon the central
government many varied powers and
RESPONSIBILITIES that heretofore rested
with the people themselves. Just how
far we, as a state, should go towards
government, will be the ques-
ton often to be considered in our de-
and our determinations
will require our wisest judgment.
By such a government, some things
can be done better, more thoroughly,
and more economically than by the
or towns direct. We find by
experience that the state should take
charge, in very large measure, of our
public safety, of our courts, of our
police powers, and of our public
health, and to a certain degree, of our
schools, and state highways.
On the other hand, believe we will
All agree that it would be most un-
fortunate TO have our people entirely
relieved of the active responsibilities
,f citizenship, With the exception OF
he election of the necessary officials.
Such a condition, it seems to me,
would destroy the greatest safeguard
We have to our body politic-individu-
Il activity, responsibility, and indie
,endence. Vermont has not gone far
STRAY in this matter, and has wisely /.
hosen course between the two ex- ;
remes. To emphasize this point by I
eay of illustration, let me refer to our ,
highway department-the department [
nth which | am most familiar. For
eyeral years there has been an ire y
istable demand that the state assume t
aore complete control Of the construc-
ion and maintenance of our principal |
ighways. This we have gradually
one. during the last eight years, max
az an advance at each session, not by
aking over our state roads entirely |,
nd bonding the state for their con- h
truction as other states have done, r
ut by retaining the town as the unit, I
the towns as partners, and d
ding literally such as will help a
thus encouraging individ- L
al effort and stimulating town pride, v
ntil every town in the state but two Y
ave taken advantage Of the law at Y
,me time since its passage. This plan s,
producing live, competent road men L
every part of the state, and has A
,vcloped growing, healthy senti-
~. u,hirh rn doubt has resulted in Il