Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-16

pie, SnOulO De represented OH III DOhIu,
and to this end l recommend such changes
thereon as will permit the commissioner
of agriculture a seat upon this board and
a voice in its transactions.
The hand of the federal government
rests heavily upon all the business OF
the United States. on account of the
war the people have suffered this with
out complaint and with the hope that re-
lief would come with the coming of peace.
SO far this is a hope only, and there is
apparently no definite plan for returning
to rightful ownership property. which has
been seized by the federal government
under the plea Of war emergency. This
presents a matter to you which
merits your serious consideration. The
railroads and telephone and telegraph
companies contributed a revenue to
the State of 81, 1S2, 1914 during the
past biennium. This Is one OF
our largest sources of revenue. There is
a definite program before Congress for
the federal ownership Of public utili-
ties. principally the wires and the rail-
roads. If this plan should be consum-
mated, the State must face the loss of
this revenue which would mean undoubt-
eddy a still higher State tax. 1t would
seem to me proper for this Legislature
to go on record against further seques-
tration of the sources Of State revenue
by the federal government.
FEDERAL AMENDMENT
The State of vermont has already sac
rifced a large revenue by it's adoption of
the amendment to the federal constitu-
ton which takes over to the federal gov
m the princely revenue from in
emma taXaS and the an6 10 mot vet
Wu will be asked at this session to
pass upon another amendment to the fed
eral constitution which not only deprives
the State Of Vermont of a certain rev.
enue, but which also abrogates certain
powers of self-government which the
State has always retained. and deprives
our citizens of time-honored rights.
While this matter rests entirely with
you, and not with me, l do not deem 1t
improper at this time to remind you Of
the danger which lies in a too complais-
ant surrender of the rights and powers
inherent in our sovereign State, and in
our people.
At the proper time l will make further
suggestions on this subject. but at this
time l will only express the hope that
your work upon this most serious ques-
ton MAJ be we'll and carefully perform
ed.
STATE EXPENSES
The problem of State expenses is very
serious and complex. During the war we
were justified in spending a large amount
of money in order that Vermont should
do her full part toward winning that
war. Now that the war is over we should
give our attention with the same dill
gence TO a reduction of expense and the
conservation of our resources. In 1901,
as shown by the auditors comparative
statement, State activities were less than
30 in number, and the grand total of State
expense was less han $500, 900. To-day
State activities have reached a total of
over so and the expense has risen to
81 $50, 900 per year. So within the knowl-
edge of every member of this Assembly.
we have nearly doubled our State activ-
tiles and trebled our State expense. The
State has not increased In population.
There is no more taxable property now
than in 1900, although the valuation for
taxation purposes has been increased.
In fact, the reduction In TILED areas OF
farm land would indicate that the farm
| property as a whole has deteriorated In
value. How, then, nave these additional
sums been raised? The answer is by the
taxation of banks, railroads, corporations
and other indirect forms of taxation. the
sources of which have now been thor
oughly exploited.
We hav reached our taxing limit In
this direction and your predecessors. the
Legislature of 1917, found it necessary
to impose a State tax Of 20 cents on the
dollar Of the grand list in order to meet
the expense Of the war and the increased
cost of doing public business. The wal
is over but the expenses Of 1t are mo-
paid. and you are not only faced by the
same conditions, but the report OF thu
budget committee-which you have be
fore you-indicates hat the continuation
Of this direct tax Of 20 cents Is not only
necessary, but IL this Legislature passe!
any special appropriations Of any kind
IN increase In that State tax will be nee
essary.
Every administration for the past 2
years has been confronted by this PROB
lem of increased State expense, and va
rious attempts have been made to con
solidate State institutions, department
and activities. You predecessors ant
mine have made some important progress
in that direction, but the net result ma
always been that we have had ever!
year more oIale dCtlNitico MN 'SNs
expense, with no proportionate gain IL
the public convenience, or the publ
benefit therefrom. or the public abilit,
to pay therefor.
STATE INSTITUTIONS
A partial list of the States actual run
ming Institutions supported In the Who'll
or in part by State funds Is Of Interest Il
this connection:
The State House and the new building
for the use of the supreme court and tn
State library.
A number Of State departments whic
have been housed outside these building
and paying rent elsewhere.
State prison.
House Of correction.
Industrial school.
State hospital.
Home for feeble minded.
Vail school and farms.
Randolph Agricultural school
University of Vermont. 30"
Norwich University.
MiddIebury College,