Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-08

''"'c VI 80 % or VI, according TO tn,
teachers qualifications.
TRANSPORTATION COST TO BE
PAID.
The state also pays for transporta
ton over one and one half miIes I,
towns having a grand list of not owe
$4,000. and aid is given other town.
in accordance with the ratio thei,
grand list bears TO $4,000.
The cost under this bill in roun,
numbers will he $4,000, or some $500.
600 below what would have been neces
sary had the commissioners bill beer
adopted. The increase over the cost II
1914 is $4,000 to be met by increasing
the state school tax from eight to II
cents.
The second substitute education bill
relates to the establishing of scnio,
and Junior high schools. Tho commits
sion bill would have Obliged towns tc
maintain either a Junior high schoo
with four years or senior high schoo
or two years. and would have com.
PEELED vocational education, while the
substitute measure makes it optional
THE COLLEGES.
The recommendations of the founda ton
ana commission concerning the colleges
were reversed by the Legislature With
inc present appropriations all made an
nual appropriations. the colleges md
themselves more firmly entrenched than
ever before and the State obviously in
tended to pledge itself to policy of
state aid on the same scale as at pres
ent. The Medical College received IN
additional annual appropriation of $500
which will provide all but about $500
of the annual revenue which the Ameri-
can Medical association fixes as neces-
sary in order that the college may remain
in Class a. The probability that Norwich
University will he taken over by the
federal government was a new element
in the situation this year.
One bill was defeated By the Senate
without ceremony. which will probably
meet with more favor in the future. after
its fairness and reasonableness Is under
stood by the state. This was the univer-
sal scholarship bill. which would have
established a new policy-one of State
aid to students instead of State aid TO
colleges. After consolidating Norwich,
the Medical College and agricultural eX-
tension as entirely separate propositions
since their services are distinctive and
are non-Competitive, this scholarship bill
would have devised q new method of ap-
propriatns to the University of Vermont
and to Mddlebury College. 1t would re-
peal all present appropriations to these
two institutions. In their place an $50
scholarship would be given to every boy
Il ,rt, ~ in,
i"So education within the State--the stu
dent to choose which college he preferred
10 attend. Not more than $4,000 would
he appropriated in this way. If over G25
students applied for this state aid the
amount of each scholarship would be
scaled down. 1t was believed that many
needy boys and girls could get a college
education under this plan, that are now
unable to meet the fun tuition fees 1t
would also keep the colleges out of com
petition at the state House, and make
them compete only in their offerings to
the youth OF the State. It would help
the colleges only in the exact ratio as
they serve the state. This plan. devised
get more favorable attention
latcr.
THE BUDGET.
A state budget is created, TO he en-
forced by a committee of State off
GERS. This may work great changes
by introducing more system in state
fiscal matters. Tho committee will
have power to inspect the finances of
all state departments and institutions.
lrn all l. 4
to see that the institution. live within
their appropriations.
COURT REFORM
The somewhat radical changes in
court procedure recommended by Jus
tice G. NJ Powers and Judges IT, b.
Howe and f. l.. Fish We're substan-
TALLY enacted into law; they arc de-
remove unnecessary technicalities
One law requires the supreme court
on appeals to give a decision within
one year. A municipal court law was
passed. which will make the municipal
courts really work. There can be no
appeal on cases involving 5000 or less,
and the territorial jurisdiction of the
court is extended and provision is
made for a jury. when called for. The
friends of the bill say that 1t will re-
duce appeals and reduce court costs
Others say that the new law will
prove a lemon, and will add great eX-
pense.
The Legislature early In the session
changed the terms OF office Of the SUI
preme court and superior judges so that
the terms were consistent with other
changes incident to the constitutional
n amendments that set forward other terms
OF office two months. The personnel OF
courts stand the same as II Governor
Fletcher had not exercised his powers Of
DIRECT STATE TAX.
Appropriations were kept down enough
so that a State tax of but five cents
on the dollar was required to meet the
deficit. Two years ago a tax of ten cents
was necessary.
The demand for offsets resulted in
small offset being enacted Fifty per
cent. offset for debts owing up to 5000
was granted. Present exemption on FIVE
per cent. loans made by individuals Is
retained Book accounts are also
exempted.
THE CORPORATION ACTS.
The general corporation acts necessi-
tated by the constitutional amendments