The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-01-09
GOV. GRAHAM'S
FAREWELL GIVEN
Continued from second page)

TOWNS had increased from $3.50 in 1908
to 1926 in 1918. The grand list of the
state from little less than two millions
increased to a little more than two and
one-half millions, The deposits in saw
lngs banks, trust companies and savings
banks and trust companies subject to
taxation increased from forty three mill
lions to one hundred and six millions
There has been slight falling of in
these deposits since 1916 caused prob
ably by war withdrawals In 1917 they
had reached over one hundred and eleven
millions. The deposits in national banks
| subject TO taxation are now about twelve
millions. While our wealth and general
prosperity as shown by the increase Of
the grand list and the taxable deposits in
banks has greatly increased, the burden
of taxation has increased The state has
reached the limit of indirect taxation
\ II you are to increase the expenses of the
government you must either do so by di-
rect taxation or by going into debt You
may be able to cheesepare a little here
and little there, but the saving you
will make will be relatively small The
only way you can keep income and ex-
penses equal, while conditions remain as
| they are, is to do without some things.
have appended to this message ia
BILE showing the receipts and disburse-
ments of the state for the past Is years
The tax commissioner has gone into
the subjects of revenue and taxation
fully and ! commend to you the careful
reading of his report ] endorse his rec
concentrations, as they are the result Of
practical experience in the conduct OF his
| department for period of six years.
The report and recommendations of
the budget committee, showing the ex-
pected revenue and recommended dis
bursements, have been placed in your
hands, so you are early advised Of what
there is TO do and what you have to do
with. While the cash on hand does not
show in this report, | am advised thattit
is sufficient, with the certain revenues TO
come in before the close of the present
fiscal biennium, July /, 1919, to carry on
the government and leave it without a
deficit on that date You viii bear in
mind that you must provide for the pay
ment Of ne-half Of the million dollar APP
preparation made by the last legislature
for war expenses. One-haif is being paid
during the present biennium and one half
is to be paid if you so vote, during the
next bennium.
State Barge Terminal.
The subject Of water transportation
for inland commerce has been receiving
increased attention from shippers, COM
mercial bodies and legislators throughout
the country. The war activities Of the
nation showed an immediate need for
additional facilities for freight trauspor-
tatiOn This need win continue with the
demand for cheaper freight rates, which
it is expected will be obtained by means
of water transport. Several states are
constructing canals, improving natural
water courses and building terminal IA
cilities
In MAY last, New York state opened to
traffic the enlarged barge canal system,
now operated BY the United States gov
eminent These canals by connection
with Lake Champain and having state
terminals at all cities from New York TO
Buffalo and at ports on Lake Champlain,
offer Vermont a free water route to the
sea, to the Great Lakes and TO the coal
regions Of Pennsylvania,
The subject OF building and operating
a state terminal as a means to induce
and facilitate inland commerce at lower
cost for the benefit of our people, should
have your most careful consideration In
connection with Highway improvement
call to your attention the report Of the
state barge terminal commission favoring
such project.
Accounting System.
During the prediction campaigns of
1902 and 1906 considerable criticism was
made of the methods employed in hand
ling state accounts and the results at
tanned by the system then in use by the
auditor Of accounts The legislature OF
1906 provided for commission TO exam
inc into this matter Pursuant thereto,
Governor Fletcher D. Proctor appointed
Joseph A. DeBoer, then president Of the
National Life Insurance company, and
DIN merrill. These gentlemen, with the
then auditor, very carefully examined
the office, its books and accounts and on
May !, 1908. established and put into
force the present system. The commits
sion made a full report TO the governor,
stating quite fully the conclusions
reached / suggest that you examine this
report with care, should YOU determine
that present conditions demand a change
in the system 1t has seemed to me that
it would be entirely out Of keeping with
my present Office TO make any explana-
tion of my official acts as auditor
War.
In referring to the part Vermont had
in the great war, shall say but little, |
as the subject is fresh in your minds Tos
many OF YOU it has come home in the !
loss of some dear one killed in action,
missing or dead from wounds or disease.
Many will return incapacitated by
wounds or disease for their former activ-'l
tiles in civil life. To these you will in !
the years to come extend a helping hand. |
Many more will return strengthened in |
health and character and with a broader |
view Of life These will soon become the |
rulers and guiders of the destiny of this |
republic and what they believe to be best |
for us will become the principles about |
which our governmental activities will |
center. In passing, let me say that now
is the time when Vermonts part in the |
great struggle should be written by com
petent minds. | hope you will see to It |
that provision is made for this before
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