Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-10-20
The photographic Survey of Ver-
mont.
From the Burlington Free Press. oct 9th.

4 VI tHS tptatt Twain va
ufactures and Mining is taking the pre-
liminary steps toward obtaining by
geographic survey of Vermont, similar
to the one recently completed in Maine
The immense Importance of this meas
ure in securing the development of our
material resources can hardly be over es-
timated but although it has been fire.
quent topic of private discussion, it has
never, we believe, been brought promi-
nently before the people or our legisla-
ture.
Within our borders, and readily ac-
cessible, are many water powers, compar-
atively unknown, and wholly unimprov-
ed, and many others but partially occu-
pied, which offer to capitalists and man
ufacturers unsurpassed advantages. Raw
material 10 abundance also exists in va
rious localities, inviting the skill neces-
sary to render it available. A survey,
such as is contemplated, by attracting
attention to and thus bringing into use
these immense natural forces now run
ming to waste, will greatly increase our
strength and productive power as a COM
munity, and cannot but work to the adj
vantage of all classes of our people =
furnishingt to capitalists knowledge where
by they may make safe and lucrative in
vestments to laborers a greater variety
of occupation and to producers ready
market. 1t will prove permanent ben
eft to our railroads and other means of
transportation. And it will furnish to
the young men of Vermont abundant
opportunity for the full development of
their powers, without going beyond her
borders. Thus far, for the most part, our
rich pastures and farming lands have
claimed our care and attention, to the
comparative neglect of the other inter-
ests, while our sister States with natural
facilities certainly not superior to our
own, have built up great manufacturing
industries, which have added greatly to
their population and their wealth. 1t is
high time for Vermont to follow their
example.
1t is not intended that the entire work
necessary to complete survey Of the
State shall be done at the expense of the
State; though considerable as would be
the amount required to carry through
such survey, we think that our legisla-
ture would be justified in making the
necessary appropriation. 1t is thought
that in many cases, towns and villages
possessing superior water powers, may
see it to be for their interest to appropri.
ate small sums for the purpose of an &C.
curate survey and description of them
prepared for publication in the report
thus distributing the expense among
those more Immediately to be benefited
by their development. In nearly every
township there are a few persons compe.
tent to give the information desired, and
there are also extant, although at pres
ent unavailable, many accurate reports
OF surveys made under direction of rail.
road corporations or local manufacturers
sufficient, when obtained, to furnish re.
liable aud extensive foundation for such
a survey as is contemplated.
Of course, it is of extreme Importance
that this work be done quickly, and that
our indispensable advantages in these
respects be at once made known; and it
depends upon the press of the State and
public spirited citizens to urge upon the
people its Importance.
The Secretary of the Board Prof. Pc
ter Collier, Burlington, VT, will send
suitable blanks, to be filled up, to any
body, In any vicinity, who may address
him and it is hoped that town officers re-
ceiving such blanks will, if unable to re-
ply to the various questions, select from
among their citizens some competent per-
sons who may fill out the blanks and re-
turn them as soon as practicable to the
Secretary.