St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-03-28
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
CONTINUED from Page y

accounts, chairman of the finance
committee of the Senate and chair
men of the ways and means com
mittec and committee on appropria-
tons Of the House, have given the
subject of what the appropriations
ought to be very careful and PAINS
taking consideration. The committee
have drafted and viii report bill
which will be submitted to you at
once. The estimates of the different
departments of government and the
special appropriations asked for as
originally filed with the committee
called for some IS, 100000 for
the coming biennial period. After
several days and nights spent in eX-
aiming these estimates, the commit
tees have been able. without injury to
the public service as they believe to
scale these figures down to substantial
ly $4,700, zoe and allowed in this
amount contingent and deficiency APP
preparations of 100000 per year
should the estimates prove inadequate.
our assured revenue, above the row
enuc pledged to certain purposes, such
as automobile license fees and the in
come Of the permanent school fund, is
in round numbers -$4,000,000. This
leaves to be provided for by direct
taxation some $500 900, exclusive of
the two contingent appropriations
above referred to- This Wiu require
an annual direct tax for the years
1918 and 1919 Of ten per cent each
year. The committee feels that with
This tax tho oS-D~t,cqc. of +Ioo--.st.,4o ,., :,
be met and that by rigid economy in
the several departments of govern
ment during the coming biennial pc
Rod, no deficit viii be incurred, These
figures do not include any eXtraordin-
airy expense the state may be put to
because Of the approaching war With
the central powers OF Europe 1 ask
your full consideration of this con-
dition.
''I4cgi>lation: ] suggest to you the
enactment OF It law giving police Off
GERS full authority whenever q state
Of war exists to arrest, without war
rant, and take before court Of com
potent jurisdiction all persons sus-
pected of being engaged in any way
in giving aid and comfort to our
enemies.
''The military department has taken
a careful Inventory of our equipment
on hand. | have been informed by
the national government that it prob
ably will be unable TO furnish, for the
present, but little If any more of such
equipment. Figures showing the cost
Of such supplies and equipment as
viii be needed if the regiment is called
out have been obtained with the re-
suit that am of the opinion that in
case Of the failure of the national gov
eminent to supply us, it will cost from
$3.50 goo TO $1,000 to properly equip
ana pat into the field a full regiment
of 2002 men and IS officers. In any
event. the state should see to it that
it's soldiers are properly equipped be-
fore Being sent into the field, AS we
may. and probably will, be called
Upon to do more than furnish one
regiment, ! suggest that you appro-
pirate at least $1,000,000 and safe
guard its expenditure. The treasurer
should also he given authority to bor-
row and pledge the credit OF the
state for u proper amount While
the governor and the trcasurer may
have sufficient authority at present, as
the law now stands, it will be safer
to have an appropriation and like
borrowing authority given to the
treasurer. The figures showing how
this result has been reached can be
obtained from the adjutant general
ITO my mind the time to cease talk
ing and to act has come Vermont
viii as usual do her part and moro
than her part. Patriotism does NOT
Fl
or in making patriotic speeches, or in
assuring each other OF our love Of
country, but rather in each individuals
doing and continuing to do day by
day, his or her part. The farmer
should increase the acreage under the
ploW; the mechanic, his hours Of la
Dor; the professional man should give
of his time to organization. An army
in the field must be properly fed and
clothed, (and tended in health and
sickness: and all of these things must
be done by those who remain at
/ home. ! ask each one Of you in your
respective towns to look to it that
these things are done.
- ask you 80 give tiae committee OF
public safety ali the Information thai
! sou can as they may cali FOR il. These
/ @eniIcncsi are giving their time and
money as y matter OF public duty.
''RIilBc we all, | am SURG, would
avoid Tile impending struggle by AL
t honorable means, yet if war comics, ic'
us be ready to the Jest Of our abiii! y
w;fll men and arms, with supplies and
! money.
''I'os. it is our institution, cur conn
try and representative goscaIlinen'
that will BIC on trial, to DC tested in
the crucibie OF war. Let each OF III
light anon the Idol Of his heart the
divine force Of patriotism and keen
! Il ever BURNING: and repeat these
words: 'Our country. May She al
..:iys be in the right; but our country
right or WronG.'