The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-01-04

AfNHtNial W a III htANAlANIsl
MONTH"; LIER, Jan. 4.
The inaugural address of Gov. Hor.
ace y. Graham, delivered befd-e the
legislature today, contains suggestions
for more sweeping changes in the
states governmental machinery than
ever have been contemplated at one
time before. The wholesale abolish
ment Of seless commissions and a radi-
cal change in the judiciary system arc
among the moro important recommends
tons contained in the message, which
held the closest attention Of the law
makers. Governor Graham made no at
tempt at oratory, but there was back
of his suggestions a CONTINGENCIES due
70 the simple fact that he knew from
years Of experience just what he was
talking about. The substance of the
message follows:
| am not here this afternoon to rive
an account Of a stewardship. ] am here
70 perform a duty imposed upon me by
the constitution. Before / bring to
your attention those recon cudations
| have in mind, | wish TO offer word
Of advice that will apply to all Of us.
First, do not begin 10 worry as TO
whether this session will bee long or
short Set yourselves resolutclv to the
solving of the problems as they present
themselves, and having given heed to
those matters that require your attcu-
tion, adjourn.
Second, before .yau introduce a meas
ure he certain ineyour own mind that Il
proper enforcement Of thc law as il now
stands or new endcavor of govern
ment requires il and that it is not
urged by some personal interest.
Third, before you send to the gov
ornor q measure for his approval. first
ascertain If the public good or the pro
lection of private right really calls
for its enactment. We already have
too many laws more honorcd i'm the
breach than the observance. Let us
not az this session continue TO fin the
statutes with further useless and UNI
necessary legislation.
When this nation and this state were
founded the wants and needs of the PEG.
pie were few and simple As population
and wealth increased and WAYS of com
munication became more general. our
constantly changing and advancing civ
ilization demanded that the general roy
eminent of the nation and of the state
take on new activities.
The form of the legislative dcuart-
ment Of government has remained sub
stantially unchanged, likewise the
Judicial department, but the executive
department has continued from decade
TO decade 20 increase i'm the number of
departments and officials. Executive Of
feers, some appointed by and RESPONSE.
bic TO the chief executive, others ap-
pointed in the same manner, but appar-
entity thereafter responsible to no one.
all exercising extensive functions of
government, some similar and some
conflicting in character, have been
dfeated, until today the problem CON
fronting not only Vermont but her sis
ter states, is how best TO rc.arrauae
these different officers, boards and com.
missions so as TO give at once a simple
an efficient and nm economical admin.
istration.
We cannot return to the simplicity of
the fathers if we would, therefore We
must try to set our house in order 10
meet existing conditions.
Today the state must certainly pre.
vide for the education of her youth
the construction of her highways, the
care Of her criminal, her insane. her
feeble minded and her hayward and
her unfortunate people. She must look
to her financial institutions, the proper
collection and expenditure of her reve
MUGS, the encouragement Of agriculturc
the advertising OF her resources and
the preservation to her people Of those
natural resources that belong TO the
people ms n whole. These and like mat
ters concern you, and the ways and
means by which these things shall be
done, are for you TO plan and work
out.