Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-02-20
gelluws falls Times,
Our Manufacturing Industries.
PAPER BY HON. c. H. HEATH.

Heath of Montpelier delivered a pape
oraddress, on the manufacturing indus
tries of Vermont, and we avail ourselves
the report of his remarks, in the Rut
land Herald as follows:
The next paper was given by the Hon
Charles III. Heath, of Montpelier. His
subject was "Our Manufacturing Indus
tries" 1t was undoubtedly the inten
ton of the legislature, in forming thi:
board, to do what it could for encourag.
ing and holding the population in the
state. 1t was within the memory of man
when almost every house was manu-
factory, and hardly a community but
supplied itself with its own clothing, hats,
boots, wagons, furniture, pottery and the
like. This state of things became obso-
lete through the invention of power ma
chinery for weaving and like production.
The increased cheapness resulting from
this state of things threw half of our
population out of employment and drew
away from us our best business. BY the
establishment of these factories snd the
drawing of supplies from this state, Bos-
ton had contrived to make us help to
build her up fully as much SIS Massachu-
sets had done. The speaker alluded to
the condition Of education in the state,
and characterized as burning shame the
fact that Vermont, with two first class
colleges, prepared in every way to take
charge of her sons and daughters, should
send more young men out of the state
for their education than she educated
here at home. He complimented Middle
bury College and the University at Bur
lington, and thought them amply capa-
BILE of imparting all needed drill in any
branch. We had the materials for rem
edying this state of things-and more
than half of these materials were not de-
veloprd. He referred to the copper which
is found in large proportion of our
mountains. The marble interests of Rut-
land and Addison counties we're alluded
to as models for imitation.
He would know why we could not use
our own bark and lumber as we'll as to
send itaway to Massachusetts, there to be
used to tan our hides, and return them to
us; or, in the case of lumber, could we
not make our own furniture as well as to
ship our raw material and buy back the
furniture after it was made?
This state of things had not come
about for lack of men for we had as good
as anywhere. But we were every day
losing these men because we did not en-
courage the business for which they
were fitted. Then again, we had no lack
of money; but there seemed no willing
ness on the part of the owners to use that
money in anything more enterprising than
bond and mortgage.
What then was the lack? 1t was
nothing more than want of spirit to take
hold of the subject. Of course the bust
ness must be managed with prudence.
He illustrated this by reciting the histo-
ry of the National Life Insurance Com
pany. The history of the Fairbanks
scale was also referred to as an illustra.
ton.
The advantages were summed up as
follows An increase of the population
of the State; an increase of the number
and grade of our schools, our libraries
and our galleries of art it would ena-
BILE us to keep our children at home; it
would increase the value of farmers
land by enabling him to sell his produce
at home; it would employ idle men and
women.
In the resulting discussion, Prot. Col
lier spoke of toe lack of faith as one Of
the great obstacles. He referred to one
branch of manufactures which could be
favorabIy promoted in Vermont - that
of artificial fertilizers.
Prof H. M. Seeley wished to have
pointed out the industries best adapted
to Vermont. He desired, also to know
the cause of the decline of the small in
dustries of the State.
Mr.. j. P. Foster, of Passumpsic, spoke
of the benefit which had resulted from
the establishing and maintenance of the
Fairbanks works. He spoke at length
and infinitely upon the advantage of a
mandatory In any town.
In answer to Prof Seeley's first ques.
ton, Mr.. Heath said that any manufac.
ture, except that of heavy iron would
be successful in the State, and even tina
might be made to pay on the lake wher,
cheap freights might be had. In answer
to his second question he said that tn,
reasons for many of the failures wer
that they went on credit; that the good
they made were not fashionable.
Mr.. Douglass thought Mr.. Heath wa
wrong; men did not produce with cap
tai hut when they had aoouirad can;