Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-17
Appropriations Have Greatly In
creased Over Those of All Past
Sessions and a Accent State
Tax Is Necessary
$1,5OO,OOO BOND ISSUE
The Total Authorised Expenditures VIII
Nearly Touch s7.OOO.OOO Despite Fact
Governor and Legislators Worked
for Economy

ture OF 1919, the thing which at once
attracts attention is the fact that. in
spite of the program of Governor Clement
to cut down State expenses, the ap-
preparations this year have greatly in
creased over all past Legislatures, and it
has been found necessary to raise 40
cent State tax in order to meet the
greatly increased demands upon the State
treasury. Governor Clement is not to
blame for this condition of affairs, of
course. He has worked diligently in CO.
operation with the Legislature to keep
down the expense of the State. but when
It comes to economizing on state ex-
penses, there is a point beyond which
the legislators Of Vermont will not go
lest too strict economy might mean in
Jury to the public welfare.
After careful consideration of every
item in the budget bill and passing
bill authorizing the expenditure Of ST.
100000 to provide state pay at the rate
OF $40 month for one year Of service.
for drafted men and for women in the
military or naval service of the country
during the war. and to provide for the
balance of the sum to pay volunteers
under the same conditions, as provided
by the Legislature of 1917 the authorized
expenditures of the State will reach close
to 100000. The State will be bonded for
81, 100000 for a period of years.
SALARIES INCREASED
The legislators were very conservative
about salary raises during the early part
Of the session, but several got through
during the last days. Among them are
Sergeant-at-arms, from $500 to $500;
auditor Of accounts, $1,000 to $500; high
way commissioner, $500 to $1,000 A
salary raise for the Governor from 50. 900
to $4,000 was refused. BY the provisions
OF II. 3l7, the secretary of civil and mill
tary affairs receives extra compensation
at the rate Of 800 per month from
January 4. 1917, to and including the last
day OF the present session, for war work.
H. 318 was made law, providing that
the salary Of the secretary of civil and
military affairs, the chaplains of the
House Of Correction and the State prison,
and the prison physician be fixed by the
Board Of Control H. 1877 provides for
extra compensation for the fish and game
commissioner in the event that his office
is moved to Montpelier.
During the early part of the ses-
sion the House turned down S. 60. in
creasing the salaries Of the county
clerks of Chittenden, Orleans and
measure
was reconsidered at the very end and
passed. The law now provides that
these officers shall receive compen-
sation as follows: County clerk of
!! Chittenden county. $2,50O; Orleans,
$1.70o; windham, $1,000.
The acknowledgement is authorized
to expend certain amount to defray
expenses of discharged soldiers of the
26th division. who are not able to pay
their way to Boston. in order that
they may take part in the parade
There. The sergeant-at-arms Is au-
thorized to expend a certain sum from
the adjutant-generars department to
decorate the State buildings when the
returned soldiers come to Montpelier
for their celebration.
Besides the inclusion Of drafted men
in the provisions for State pay sew
eral other laws have been enacted for
the benefit of the soldiers in the late
war. H. 17S provides for the abate-
| ment of taxes of persons in the mill
tary OF naval service of the United
States in the war with Germany. H.
179 allows persons in the military or
naval service of the United States To
| vote in town meeting. even though
their names are not on the check list
provided they are otherwise quail
fled. H. 256 provides for the prepare
| ton and publication of a suitable his
tory of Vermont's part in the war. II
PSI allows towns to erect monuments
or memorial buildings in honor of the
men who have served tho United
States in its various wars.
! THE PUBLIC HEALTH
| Some of the most important laws
| enacted at the session have to dc
with the public health. Included
among these is II. $50. which rcor-
ranizes the health department of tho
State, doing away with town health
officers. and dividing the State into
ten districts, with a district health of
ficer over each. who performs tho
duties in that district heretofore per
cept that the physicians in attendance
| will be responsible for quarantining
This law goes into effect July |
1919.
The practice of chiropractic ans
chiropody have been licensed in th'
State. II. Is. through which chro
practice is licensed. provides that thos'
coming into the State to practice from
this time on must be graduates of
reputable school of chiropractic re
during a three years resident cours
for a diploma.
Among the important laws carrying
new appropriations are:
S. Al, appropriating $4,000 each yea
for the years 1920 and 1921 for coon
erative extension work In agricultur
land home economics in rural commun
tiles through the county farm bureau
associations; S. SO, appropriating $500
each year for two years for teachers
retirement system, whereby teacher
who have taught In Vermont school
six years or more secure certain
amount of pension according to tn
length of service: II. 246 appropriatin
100000 to take care of Appraisal Valu
Of cattle killed by order of the com
missioner of agriculture, the maximum
amount to be paid for any animal bein
. raised to 500 in the case of grad
stock and $3.50 in the case OF pur
breds and horses.
The Board of Control has been give
much more authority. the purpose be
ing to secure a better accounting sys
tenn, and to make certain department
of the State more subsidiary to th
q Board. II. 229 places the State pun
v chasing agent under the direction {
r the Board. II. 2s6 provides that til
v Board shall fix the rate per week fc
n boarding patients at the Brattlebor
a Retreat. There Ia also new law pre-
/. viding that the Board of Control sha
: Inspect county jails.
n One of the most important laws
the session. and one which looks tow
lard the cutting down of State expens,
lis s. 1OS. providing for consolidation
:" the house of correction and the Sta