The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-09-01
September morn.
Vermont's Finances.
burlington Free Press.

'ou rec JTeSS.
We have hitherto shown that Yer
mont has practically reached the limit
Oh ITS sources of revenue in the mat
ter of corporation taxation and so ON.
The financial statement issued by the
state treasurer for the year ended June
81, 1916, Indicated a deficit. and it is
TO be taken for granted that the situa-
tlon for the year now begun will not
improve to any material extent.
GOOD Judges say an additional appro-
prlatlon of from $4,000 to $40, 1000
VIII be necessary to complete and equip
the new state building at Montpelier
as 1T should be for the credit and the
proht of the people of Vermont. now
that the project has been undertaken.
The Legislature about to 90 out of
existence has just voted 100000 for
the purpose of helping the federal ad-
mnlstration carry out a patchwork
scheme of national defense to tide over
the national election. If the state ever
gets back any of the money thus paid
out, precedent indicates that it will be
some time III coming generation, and
not IN time to help out the present
situation to any extent.
Under the circumstances. it is safe
to say the Legislature which meets next
January will thus have as an inheri-
lance from the present administration
an obligation of 100000 or so, in ad-
dItlon TO the increasing cost of the
maintenance of all state institutions
Prices of food and other necessities are
advancing and increased appropriations
| Will be necessary for practically all de-
| partments the coming year.
This Is especially true in view of the
J fact that roads are giving ont under
/ the wear of heavy auto trucks, with
| more money an absolute necessity. to
| say nothing of the Increasing demands
for improved school facilities
| Under these circumstances it will he
! absolutely necessary for the people OF
Vermont to send to the legislature
both the senate and house, men who
can figure well for the state. as indi
Gated by their ability to figure fol
| themselves.
State Auditor Graham has demon
strated his ability to cut down expense.
and he proposes, if elected governor. a.
he will be without question, to econ
omize for the state by consolidating
i some of the commissions, as we'll n.
'dltiuliN Watching appropriations.
But no governor alone can ensure al
economical two years of state govern
/, ment. He must have the co-operatio.
of good accountant and figurer in tn,
office of state auditor, as well as 60
operation all along the line. We hav,
looked over the field carefully Will
. reference to the situation which vii
confront the people of Vermont wifi
the beginning of the next session o
the Legislature and we are satisfied tina
instead of having in leading position
men who are generous in their habit
of dealing with state funds we shoul
have men who have shown il the pas
an inclination to deal with the none,
Of the taxpayers of the state as care
fully as they would husband their ow1
2 funds.
4 We have become satisfied that Nh
, Thomas II. Cave, who has been assist
ant state treasurer for four years
having served with both state treas
! urer Deavitt and State Treasurer Scot
S has the experience as well as the ter
;. denotes and affiliations that will max
him more economical state auditc
than genial Ben Gates - secretary t
Governor Gates, much as we might Xix
to do the latter personal favor.