Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-01-25
WHAT OUR NE|CHBORS SAY
4 Powerful Appeal for the support of
Governor Grahnm'S
Program.
G'rom the st Adams Messenger. }


- '''' NV - E>''""N 'h'S''"-c''
Governor Graham is not lacking in
courage. That much one may make GER
tain Of by a reading Of his inaugural mes
saga to the Legislature of 1917, suggest
ing. as he does, sweeping changes in the
ma, ninery Of CARRYING on the business
Of the executive branch Of the State gov
crnment. changes which he confidently
expects will mako for more efficient and
economical conduct Of Stale rrfairs
Thu new governor has lived IN to his
pre- election promise. H. has presented
u program. sufficiently definite to show
that Il is tho result Of LONG thought and
intimate conduct with the affairs of gov
crnmert He has put tie issue suuarely
m 20 q LEGISLATURE composed with but
minor exceptions Of men who were eject
ed to office on a platform Of their own
making, a platform which ,.fumised to
The State a greater measure 81 economy
and greater measure Of efficiency.
Governor Graham, has done all that lies
within his powers to make it poss: BILE for
these mon to live mp to their promises
Tho governor rroposee but tho J.egis'a-
ture disposes One thing is eyider: thus
far The LEGISLATURE has been in,press-
ed by the governors wor.a They have
not slipped off like water from a duck s
back. they have sunken in. 90 ,error
Graham has nut the LEGISLATURE and
the whole state into thinking mood
and ii The Messenger is any k,nl of A
judge. advocates Of bette, government
the nation over will watch Vermont for
the new few weeks in homes tina. a new
and definite step toward tie desired goal
will be taken
hoe
acv on the part of friendly fates IN bring
| ing Mr.. Graham to the governors chair
at the present time The idea has grad
ually been sinking into the popular mind
that expenses have been growing at a
startling and dsproportionaic rate. We
have seen the state continually reaching
out to tap some new and hitherto undis-
covered source OF revenue, until practi-
cally nothing remains No fewer than
two preceding governors possibly more.
/ warned tho State that the limit of cor
noration taxation had been reached; that
in other words. We were squeezing on.
Of this source the last penny that we can
get in safety. and those are rot lacking
who believe that there might be an added
Impetus given 70 the development Of the
State. il we were not so. near to the end
of tho margin Of safety Excessive tax
rates c;.her local n, state. and industrial
do,otounort do NOT as a r,,,e. On hand in
I hand
When this concern over ever u,o.,ptinc
exnenses had re,cbed n noin, wbc,. IN,
| candidates If the marty which was Ger.
tain 10 ,,,ntrol tho J.g;s,.ture nerson,I.
" adoptcd a platform n,edcinr them.
selves TO economy and efficiency in state
ad,,,irtetro+io, !, ,yoe wh.t ba arc;arts
would have called A rift of the friendl,
gods 10 have available as a candidate 10,
Governor. az y marty leader a man who
, had as the result OF long cxpcrience in
tho office Of S,atc auditor a rrout lpowI.
odpc Of ,hc Financial conditions Of m.
| state. it's weak spots. and who therefore
was able to make comprehensive sugges.
tions for Improvement
Governor Graham has not failed the
people lie has outlined plan for i'm
provemcnt. "A plan coura eeously con
! ceived and fearlessiy presented. although
its author knew fuli we'll that it,, pres
entation would involve IA. touching OF
some tender personal spots The Mes
senger does not beliere Mr. Graham in
fa!liblc, but ii does feel that It will tax,
/ n man more than ordinarily well inform
ed to stand up and say that there is nc
GOOD in his recommendations
The people have confidence IN MIR
Graham ana believe that h. Is actuatet
by the sole motive of irving 10 improve
conditions which now exist. This feelns
If confidence is reflected among tn,
members of the LEGISLATURE. Yet despit,
an the favorable aspects. there are those
conditions and those influences ex;stin.
which make il only casonable to predic
I that the legislators viii have tneir nett
tested before the Governors program i.
adopted or rejected
II * seldom, that - rcai advance is eve
made cxcopi in the face of opposition
mo onposition that viii arise to the pro
posed Improvement Of the administration