Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-01-05
A REAL MESSAGE.


augural address, is almost revolutionary.
We approve heartily of what he says.
He has made the most progressive and
comprehensive statement ever present
ed to Legislature of Vermont by an
incoming governor.
Every voter in the state ought to read
carefully his recommendations and then
be ready to support him in his effort
to promote q new Vermont.
There is no webbing or equivocation
about Gov. Graham He has struck
right at the root of things, and his rec
concentrations, if carried out, will place
this state in the foremost rank of the
commonwealth of the country.
The rub will come in enacting his
proposed legislation into law. There
are numerous men who will be affected
if he is able to,aeeempllsh the desired
reforms, and they affi5sscHeir niehds will
attempt to place all sorts of obstacles
in his way. The greatest duty that the
members of the legislature can perform
will be to get in touch with the COVER
nor and to endeavor to carry out the
measures which he proposes for the good
of the state. 1t should be remembered
that Mr.. Graham has no axes to grind.
He came to his high Office untrammeled.
He has no political debts to pay and
he is seeking to advance the state, to
bring into working activity the new
Vermont that so many of us have been
talking about.
Right at the start of his message he
offers common sense advice to the leg
islators. We note with particular ap-
prevail his suggestion not to fill the
statutes with unnecessary and useless
legislation.
| He points out clearly that we cannot
return to the simplicity of the fathers,
and that we must make provision for all
the varied interests that the times de-
mand. He is preaching sound doctrine
when he says that the state is a bust
ness corporation and should be run as
one, and that individuals, not boards or
commissions, should be held to account
by the taxpayers.
| In bringing the state down to a bust
ness proposition he proposes that its af-
fairs shall be very largely under the
direction of board of control Cover
nor, commissioner of agriculture and
forestry, director of state institutions,
purchasing agent and state engineer.
This board should have plenary powers,
making it to all intents and purposes the
business board of the state.
Recommendations are made in regard
to the leading state offices, the duties
to be performed and the salaries to be
paid. A director of public health with
enlarged duties would result in the abol
ishment of the state board of health
and of the supervisors of the insane
Another new Office is proposed, the
commissioner of industries, who
would take up in addition to other
work the business now handled by
the industrial accident board. A state
engineer is another new officer suggest
ed, and there is ample work for him to
do. Duties are also outlined for a state
insurance commissioner, who would take
over part of the work now performed
} by the secretary of state and state treas
urer.
The present educational law and sys
tenn, according to Gov. Graham, should
be continued in force, and the direct ap
preparations increased from $4,000 tc
$225,000. This increase is not so grear
as appears at first glance, as the cover
nor contemplates charging against the
school account the appropriation fol
the support of the normal schools, nov
costing $4,000, the higher instruction