Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1919-03-26
GOV. CLEMENT MAKES ADDRESS
One of the Most Important Events of
the Legislative Session.

Gov. Percival W. Clement Tuesday
addressed the members of the legis-
lature in joint assembly on the mat
ter of state expenses. He reviewed
briefly the different expenses of the
state, went through a report of the
budget committee and summed up the
whole. saying that he thought 30
cent tax would be sufficient for each
year of the two ensuing years to
meet the state expenses, but that II
the state desired to clean up its en-
tire deficit of 500, 900 in two years
a Accent tax would be necessary. The
governor did not advise this, how
ever, as he thought it would be too
heavy a burden and he declared that
the deficit would enly be paper de-
felt and could easily be handled two
years from now.
A saving of expense through the
state carrying its own insurance was
urged by the governor, a bill now be-
ing before the house with that end IN
view. Gov. Clement pointed out that
our state buildings, including those
at Montpelier, Vergennes, Brandon,
Brattleboro, Waterbury, Rutland and
Windsor, are widely scattered and
that most of them are now practically
fireproof and he thought that il
would in the end be a saving to the
state to create sinking fund to be
added to each year, which could be
used in the case of fire and the in
terest of which would go TO aid in
erecting new buildings as they be
come necessary. The governor said
that he thought the state buildings
were over-valued by insurance COM
panies.
Il was hoping" said Gov. Clement,
"that the committee appointed to in
vestigate the Vail agricultural school
and the state agricultural school at
Randolph would advise consolidation
of these two schools, but they did not.
1t seemed to me that the work of
these two schools could have been
done to advantage at one school. The
administrative department of the
state will do its best to make these
two schools just as good schools as
possible during the next two years
In speaking of the amount neces-
sary 30 carry on the military work,
furnishing state pay to both enlisted
and drafted men, Governor Clement
read figures compiled in the Office of
the state treasurer, which show that
the total amount needed for both
kinds of state pay, with the expenses
attached thereto is 81 ,9S5,737, OF
which 81 100000 was appropriated by
the legislature of 1917, and the re-
mainder will have to be raised by
bond issue.
Governor Clement stated that while
he favored the cutting down Of state
expenses everywhere possible, he
thought some of the state officers
should be paid more so that theywould
not be obliged to give up so much in
accepting a state office, and so that
they could support themselves IN the
proper dignity of their Office without
having to use their private funds. He
referred especially to the Office Of
governor and said that while he asked
nothing for himself, he thought that
the salary of the governor Of the
state should be raised.
Governor Clement also stated that
probably more money would be ex-
pended on highways during the COM
ing two years Taking advantage,
so far as practicable of the offer Of
the federal government, the highway
department probably Will eXpend
close to S1.220,000.
In the debate on the question OF
allowing Sunday afternoon moving
picture shows Mr.. Connal of Newport
town said he thought the Legislature
was not sent to Montpelier to repeal
any of the ten commandments and
that if any were to be repealed, IT
would be best to introduce one bill to
repeal them all,
The house voted to sustain Gov.
Clements veto of the enactment al
lowing women the right to vote for
presidential electors, thus finally de-
feating the bill.
The legislature viii have 70 do
some hard work in order TO adjourn
by April 5. In fact, some of the wise
ones say it cannot be done, but the
general opinion seems to be that II
will be.