Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-07-14
The New Census.

The returns from the census taken in
June have not rs yet been tabulated even
as to our own state so that definite results
cannot be given. Enough, however, is
known from which to learn the general
tendencies of the last few years and to
draw some conclusions therefrom.
1t is said that the superintendent est-
mates that the total population of the
country will foot up about forty eight
millions. The bulk Of the increase goes
TO the large cities and manufacturing
towns in the east and to the agricultural
regions of the west.
As Il whole the New England states will
show Il slight percentage of gain and
there will be but slight increase
throughout the southern states. The result
will be that in political power the gain
will 90 almost entirely to the great north,
central and western states. The changes
will be Of such importance that after this
year new political states will have to be
made and the pivotal states may be
cons iderably varied.
Some of the local returns are of great
interest In this state Rutland goes to the
head us the place of largest population
that town easily leading the city of Bur.
lington, though of course the immediate
village of Rutland is not yet rs large as
the Queen City" The manufacturing
villages show something of an increase
while the purely agricultural towns as a
rule keep falling off in population.
Just here we may notice a discussion
that is going on in many newspapers about
country villages in general wherein some
sensible advice is given TO the inhabitants
1t seems to be conceded that the more care
that is taken in keeping Il village tidy and
thrifty-looking the more an actual pros.
perity is found to prevail there.
This tidiness and good outlook may be
said to be the result of prosperity instead
of its cause, but that is not wholly so.
The young folks have good deal to do
with the business of Il place. If they
leave as a rule the tendency is for things
to run to seed and nothing makes them
more inclined to leave than slovenly,
thriftless ways of life in The community
If Il few spare hours in each New
England village were given to making
things look pleasant, to removing insight
ly objects and to tree planting or Other
means of identifying places that natur,
has done fairly by we might have man,
more pleasant home scenes that woul,
help to keep our native born young peopl
from taking their brain and muscle an,
energy beyond our state lines.
The same thing is true of our farr
houses, country school houses and conntr
roads. And here one thing about tn
roads. Don't be afraid of bushes " b
the roadside unless they are in the way
travel or hurt the adjoining fields. A bal
road isn't half as pleasant as one whel
nature is left TO do little herself.
But piles of old lumber, decaving woo
and all that sort of stuff that clog IL GOO
many roadsidcs should be done away wit
Good, clean berry bushes don't do al
hurt and will not leave oher than pleasa
memories to the children who 90 that wa
AS long then as there me to be few
of US through the rural regions of Ne
England let us see to it that the surroun
ngs for those who can be made to rema
are as pleasant rs may be. Aud we m;
learn from these very tables that are II
so very pleasing, that good farmil
sections in some of the western states ha,
lost in population as well as places her
abouls. We notice as examples that
Dodge and Jefferson counties in Wisco
sin, as good farming country as is in Il
world, this same decrease. 1t is becau
the great fields still farther west ha
invited their inhabitants. There is
reason for New EngIanders to be discou
aged, but there is reason for us to tai
hold and make it rs pleasant if not
crowded an agricultural section as Il
country affords.