The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-07-18
VERMONT MUST RETRENCH.
Former Senator Dewitt Writes PERTH
nentIy ON State Expenses.
Editor of The RefOrmer

Editor OF The Ref0rmer:
The remarks of Ex-Governor Fletcher
relative 10 the subject of state expenses
recalls to our attention the Importance
of the issue.
As far back as 1910 when / was a a,
member of the house and the process of
law making was an entirely new and un-
tried experience to me, / was impressed |
with how cheerfully the legislature voted
away the peoples money, although in those
days the approprla tons were exceedingly
modest as compared with the present ex-
tragant expenditures, Notwithstanding
the fact that the population served today
is practically the same as IN 1910.
OF course. anyone who has had any ex-
perience with legislatures realizes that it
is much easier to sit at a desk and write
a letter finding fault with the work of
these bodies than to present some con-
structive, practical policy which will
work out satisfactory remedy How
ever, that a more economical and bust
nesSlike administration OF state aHalfs
is the most important issue now before
the people of Vermont is not to be denied.
One trouble it seems to me, with our
legislatures is the system in yOgue,-reve-
nues fitted to appropriations, not appro-
prlatiOnS based on revenue. In conduct
| ing our own private affairs we ordinarily
check up our income and plan our DIS
burSementS accordingly, but our legisla-
lures makes Il VI
and finding the corporation and other
| revenues largely insufficient, meets the
deficit with a state tax of such proportion
as to be a distinct burden to the towns.
| Now there is in every business transac-
tiOn one and sometimes two questions for
our consideration. First, Can L afford
lit o. and if so. "Will | get value re-
Iceived?" If we conclude that we cannot
we cannot afford these things, if wise we
struggle along some way without them,
however desirable it may be, and if we
feel that there is a lack of value there
lis in the case no further occasion for ar
Igument While it is perhaps unreasOn-
able to expect that a state government
can be run ON the same economic princi-
lples as a private business enterprise, new
ertheless, a legislature should be con
Quoted with some regard for the tax
payers money.
Certain it is that our Vermont legisla-
lture does not act upon the above policy
lgenerally adopted by individuals. An APP
preparation bill passed by the legislature
of 1917 illustrates my point. This bill
, carried an appropriation of $4,000 to
, build a state road through Smugglers
Notch in the Green Mountains. The best
. argument it seems to me for the bill was
that NermOntS scenic beauty Is one of ITS
D. greatest assets and that we do not exploit
, its charm as we ought, but those legisla-
tors who wanted to practice little state
economy felt that we could not afford a
, Vermont Mohawk Trail and that if the
p state had $4,000 extra cash to expend on
a highways it should be used where more of
those who had to help pay for it would
= derive some direct benefit. Two subse-
+ quent legislatures have made appropria
f tionS for this state road and of course,
q the upkeep of the same means an unend-
= ing bill of expense to the taxpayers OF
! the state. 1t was, in fact, an expense
that the state could i'll afford
q \ member of the legislature who makes
? any serious effort to oppose extravaganza
. Is often made to appear ridiculous. Let
me mention an occasion that occurs IL
: me. In 1913 there was q referendum be
= fore the people of Vermont as to the de
l STABILITY of building an annex to the state
: house and the people voted against the
, proposition by an emphatic majority
! Disregarding the result Of the referendum
: the legislature of 1915 appropriated
: S150,0O0 to build the annex. The orig.
+ inal bill called for 100000, but the Oppo-
! sitiOn succeeded in cutting it down to
n Sl5O.OO0. The annex was erected anC
r the first bill before the legislature of 1917
O was an appropriation of $4,000 to con
struct a more imposing pOrtico over the
front door and embellish the interior with
a more costly finish. i had the temerity
to appear before the senate building com
mittee and oppose the bill and when il
n was reported taVOaDlY Dy the committee
: l further outraged precedent by fatty op
l. posing the bill on the floor of the senate
@ On roll call the senate stood ~ to 3 in
= favor of the appropriation. passed under
= suspension of the rule. thus apparently
o indicating that those against the bill wer,
= either obstinate or stupid or both. After
o such an experience one feels reluctant tC
d make the attempt to sweep back the ocean
j. with a broom.
# We may be sure, however. that unless
e the next legislature approaches the ques
d ton of economy and retrenchment Sc
a 'riously and with a determination to pu
g such policy over, we are going to have
d state tax assessed against the town.
r larger than the amount of money some o.
g these towns required a few years ago t.
e pay all their expenses and the only way
l. TO gain the desired result in 1922 is t,
5 make economy and retrenchment the domi
IS nant issue and elect only those candidate.
to the legislature who have declared them
selves as standing squarely on such {
platform, definitely and conscientiously.
Respectfully.
FRANK 4. DE WITT.
$ Newfane July is.