The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-11-15
Real State Issues.
{ Rutland Herald.l

NoW That the national election. with !
its distracting eXeitements, is out of the |
way, it might be well for Vermonters
to consider few important state prob
| lens, which may come before the legis-
| lature.
Grouping them loosely, the following
| might fairly include matters likely to
be committee problems after the first
of January:
Q)Centralizing of state commissions
under one board
disqualification of the courts;
(3)Revlsing the highway system to
secure more audit and expert engineer
| ing supervision and inspection;
(4)Revision of the direct primary;
(5)Repeal of the Perry act;
co. Harmonizing of some sections of
the law governing the state board of
| education;
| (OReyision of the statutes
| (S)Woman s suffrage.
Beginning with the last it is the
plain duty of the legislature to present.
| either a bill comforting statutory powers
on women, or to submit joint resolu-
| ton or pledge to consider the consti-
| tutional change in 1921.
The revision of the statutes, which
|
! mission, headed by Lieutenant Governor
| Hale *. Darling, has been a massive
task. 1t does not appeal to the lavman,
and it is doubtful if even the most eff
| tieient Judiciary committee possible
could do more than formally approve
the revision.
At the same time, this business of
revising and codifying the statutes is
| pf e., 2
the legislature, which must pass finally
upon the assembled laws. The ease
with which errors and Inconsistencies
are perpetuated is familiar to all law
yers.
Apparently no serious amendment is
needed to the educational laws, not. at
least, until the present system has had
a more extended trial To "let well
enough alone would seem to be wis
dom in this regard.
All temperance people are agreed up
on the repeal of the Perry act, and the
retention of the local option principle
follows automatically thereupon. That
IS distinctly the people s mandate, and
the legislators will not look kindly upon
any attempt to undermine it.
So much can also be said of the di-
rect primary. Although The Herald
does not hold with the principle of the
> law, it must nevertheless recognize the
| fact that the people, by a considerable
vote. took advantage of it and regis
tered their will thereby. The party
too is committed to its fair trial and
l amendment.
Highway matters are entitled to Sc
r rious consideration. With the state ex
, pending SS96,47l each biennium. the
. need of expert engineering advice, SUI
pervision and inspection is no less evi
dent than the need of a proper audit
Both of these matters should have at
D | tention.
D Coming to the courts, The Herald
will add nothing to its fixed expression
that a merging of the superior Judge,
in the Supreme court and the exten
sion of the jurisdiction of the munich
pal courts will offer a partial remedy
The lawyers of the legislature must
! recognize serious duty herein.
The same thing applies to the consoli
dation of state boards and commissions
One central board, with executive pow
ers, subject to the governor S authority
viii take care of all state institutions
efficiently and should bring up the
morale of the administration consid-
erably.
Coming down to the legislature, it
? should conclude its deliberations within
| 90 days, or thereabout. The action of
the special session shows that it could
be done, and, once the legislators make
up their mind, they can adjourn; it has
been demonstrated
r incidentally, its members might take
note of the fact that the so-called in
direct sources of revenue are practical
ly all being utilized. We must reduce.
not inerease, state expenses. Other
l wise, higher state tax must be levied
- DRY Tarritory