The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-01-09
Summary of Recommends
tons in Document Read
to Legislature Today
SLIGHT REFERENCE
TO ACCOUNTING
Statement Made That Any Explanation
of His Acts as Auditor Would Be
"out of Keeping With His Present
ofice-various Suggestions Made.
Especial to The Reformer.
MONTPELIER, Jan.

MONTPELIER, Jan. 9.
The retiring message of Governor Ora
ham, delivered to the legislature this
afternoon, is wholly impersonal doeu-
ment. After opening with the statement
that very little attention is paid to the
message of a retiring executive it refers
to the legislation of the 1917 session
which consolidated the agricultural and
forestry interests. expressing confidence
that good results have been obtained by
this step. Further aid to agriculture and
forestry is recommended, likewise to the
farm bureaus.
Opinion is expressed that the present
arrangement of a separate insurance de-
partment is meeting with satisfaction.
In reference to the requirement of bonds
from public officials ito whom money is
advanced for conducting their depart
ments" the message says this practice is
| followed in most states and has existed
in Vermont ''since the late Henry Powell
| was auditor from 1878 to 1892 and has
been continued to the present time"
! A large appropriation of $751; 900 is rec
commended for the board of charities and
probation.
The work of the director of state insti-
1
ment of detention farms mentioned as
"a forward step"
/ Careful reading of the report of the
board of control is bespoken. Criticism
| of the board as a useless appendage is
characterized as coming from those I'M
familiar with the results accomplished"
Il A good word is said for the conduct
of the various state institutions.
II Legislation is recommended looking to
uniform practice in imposing maximum
and minimum sentences.
II Satisfaction is expressed over the loca-
ton of all state offices at Montpelier.
A brief tribute is paid to the work of
the late DIR. G. S. Cayerly of the state
board of health.
An increased appropriation for fighting
tuberculosis is recommended. Likewise
the enactment of legislation providing for
filling vacancies in the house of represent
atiyes. Appreciation is expressed of the
patriotic stand of laboring men during
the war Reference is made to the work
of the commission in charge of the con-
struction of the new state building and
recommendation made that it be reim-
bursed for the amount of s., 90. which
it was obliged to borrow to complete its
work
On the subject of education the opinion
is expressed that children should be edu-
Gated as near home as possible, but only
when a school of respectable size can be
maintained.
On the subject of highways the mes
sage expresses belief that the construc-
ton of trunk line roads with federal aid
will be the outcome, but recommends that
the state ''hasten slowly along this path.
II The state has reached the limit of in
direct taxation, the message says, and
If expenses are to be increased they must
be met by direct taxation or by going
into debt. 1t adds: "You may be able
to cheesepare little here and there, but
the saving you will make will be relative
ly small. The only way you can keep
income and expenses equal while condi
tions remain as they are is to do without
| some things" The legislature is remind
| ed that provision must be made for pay
| ment of half of the million dollar appro
| priation made by the last legislature fol
war expenses.
II In reference to accounting the message
says: 1T has seemed to me that il
would be entirely out of keeping will
my present Office to make any explana
tion of my official acts as auditor"
Reference of some length is made t,
the states part in various war activitie
and recommendation made that the sec
rotary of civil and military affairs b
given extra compensation for the add
tional duties these activities impose'
upon him.
II In conclusion the message expresse
the opinion that in Governor Clemen
the state will have the services of ''pri
dent and successful business man."