The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-03-14
Our Manufacturing Enter
prises.


Middlebury has unusual manufacturing
facilities Tho location is central, the
water power most excellent, there is en-
tire freedom from danger Of floods, and
our communications with the great mar
kets are good. But for some reason our
manufacturing interests have declined.
In general, we all know the cause well
enough. The capital employed has been
insufficient to bridge over the times of
depression and loss. The wooden factory
was formerly run with abundant success.
The cotton factory was profitable en-
terpr:se until within year or two; and
it is well known that manufacturing 10.
tercsts everywhere have suffered during
this period, and those which have sur.
vived have done 80 at a severe loss. Our
enterprises not being backed by sufficient
capital were obliged to suspend. 1t
seems pity that mills all complete in
their equipments, as these are, should be
lying idle, going into decay and ruin for
want Of what might be supplied by the
enterprise of our citizens. No one wish
ca to put in capital to lose. They can
not afford it. But it does not follow that
because manufacturing has been unpro6t
able during the last two years that it will
be so during the next decade History is
only repeating itself. Within the mem.
DRY of our active business men several
seasons Of depression have been met and
passed, a season Of prosperity following
the season of adversely. AS a familiar
illustration take the sheep business.
Those breeders who had faith enough
and capital enough and patience enough
to keep up their hocks during long years
of pinching depression are now reaping
the reward of golden harvest. Just
previous to the war business men were in
the lowest spirits. There was a very
dark outlook. And when the war cloud
arose the aspect was not inviting, GER
tainly. Many gave up ip discourage
ment. Others, with commendable pluck
and faith. kept right on and received
their reward. A period of unexamped
business prosperity followed, and many a
poor man built up for himself colossal
fortune. But this condition could not
exist forever 1t was not in the nature
of things. For years the lines have been
tightening aud failure after failure have
been giving their warnings to business
men that they should take in sail and
keep up close to the wind. The storm
was slowly but surely approaching. And
it has come 1t is not the worst storm
our people have ever known, but it is toe
powerful to disregard. We can weather
it, but it must be with close economy and
good management. 1t would now seem
that We have touched bottom aud might
feel sense Of safety. II this SUPPOSE
ton be the right one it is full time to be
looking ahead to the season Of prosperity
which is not far distant before US
1t is said that the old confidence il
already returning, and capital which ha'
long been locked up in safes and hidden
away in old stockings is seeking invest
ment in real estate, which it is thought il
now at tho bottom of the ladder, II so
everybody will be helping the matter
: along very soon. A revival of busnos.
cannot be long deferred, and it would b.
q good idea to place our manufacturing
interests, upon which so largely depends
or local prosperity, on a basis that would
F insure permanence. Both of the manu-
featuring establishments to which refer
eDce has been made are now in the con
troll of those who cannot run them
They must change hands to be available
for successful operation. The owners o
the wooden factory are non.residents anC
are not practical manufacturers. The
+ cotton factory belongs to 90 estate il
process Of settlement aud it must coase
qucntly be sold. Both, or either, can b.
obtained cheap, even considering thu
depth to which values have reached 10