Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-29
GOV. GRAHA1FS MESSAGE.

Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Joint
Assembly:
As wo shall soon reach tho time for
anal adjournment, II has seemed best to
me to call your attention to a few mat
ters that ought to rcccive your considcra-
ton.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT.
While you probably could complete the
business Of the session and adjourn this
week. tho fact that the President has seen
At TO call . special session OF Congress
for April 2. Notwithstanding he had de-
termined to call It together April 1S. would
make It seem proper that you remain in
session until after April 2. as the Presi-
dent may bring to tho attention OF the
country at that time matters that re-
quire further legislative action upon your
part No doubt a fnal adjournment can
DO taken by the fifth or sixth OF the COM
ing month. ...... 80,
II. c. COPELAND GIFT.
nrst desire to call your attention to an
offer which has been made by H. C. Cope
land OF the city Of New York. This gen.
tleman has advised me that he desires to
give to the State certain lands and build
ings in tho town Of Aiiddletown Springs.
to be used AZ home for destitute chill
| dren. I suggest that you look into this
carefully and take proper action thereon
BUDGET.
The Legislature Of 1915 enacted what is
known as the budget law. This act re
Quires all appropriations to be made FOL
tho biennial period and to be brought ir
to you In one bill. Tho committee known
| = NJ
the Governor. State treasurer. auditor OF
accounts. chairman OF the finance com
mittee Of the Senate and chairman OF the
ways and means committee and commit
tee on appropriations OF the House. have
given the subject of what the appropria
lions ought to he very careful and pains
taking consideration.
The committee have drafted and vii
report bill which will be submitted Il
| you at once. Tho estimateG Of tho differeD)
| departments of government and the spe
cial appropriations asked for AZ original,
hlcd with the committee, called for SOM
100000 dollars for the coming biennia
period. After several days and night
spent In examining these estimates. the
committee have been able, without In
jury to the public service as they believ4
to scale these figures down to sub
stantially 100000 dollars and allow IL
this amount contingent and deficiency a.
preparations OF 10000 dollars per year
should their estimates prove Inadequate
Our assured revenue. above the revenue
! pledged to certain purposes such as auto
mobile license fees and the income Of thu
permanent school fund. il in round mum
bers 1907. 900 dollars. This leaves TO b.
provided for by direct taxation some go.
Ill
! tingent appropriations above referred to
| This will require an annual direct ia,
| for years 1918 and 1919 OF ten per cent
each year. Tho committee feel that will
this tax tho expenses OF the State can b.
met. ana that by rigid economy In the sew
eral departments OF government durini
tho coming biennial period. no deficit will
DO incurred. These figures do not include
any extraordinary expense the State ma,
be put to because Of the approaching wa
with the central powers Of Europe ! asl
your full consideration Of this condition.
LEGISLATION.
| suggest to you the enactment of a Law
swing police officers full authority when
ever a state OF war exists to arrest. with
out warrant. and take before a court o
competent jurisdiction all persons sus
pected OF being engaged In any way II
giving aid and comfort to our enemies.
| Tho military department has taken
! careful inventory Of our equipment OF
hand. l have been informed by the ma
tional government that 1t probably vii
be unable to furnish for the present blu
little. II any more, of such equipment
Figures showing the cost of sucl
supplies and equipment as will b
needed II tho regiment 10 called GU
have been obtained with the result that
am Of the opinion that in case Of the fail
ure of the. national government TO suppl,
US, It will; cost from 100000 to $4,000 Il
properly equip and put into the field I
full regiment Of 2.00e men and 81 officers
In any event the State should see TO II