The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-02-27
COMMUNICATION,

EDITOR REGIsTER:-We noticed an
article going the rounds OF the papers
that the button factory in a town
on the other side of the mountain, was
compelled to keep their works running
night and day in order to supply the
demand for their goods.
Now If it is suggested that Middlebu-
ry ought increase her manufacturing in,
terests by introducing them into our
midst, there is certain class. like
the stubborn Turk, who associates his
minutest act with his religion, and
looks upon every deviation from the
example of his ancestors as a criminal
departure from the spiri. and preccpts
of his Koran. He will therefore take
no lessons from the ingenuity and dis.
coveries of others; no instructions from
the advanced intelligence and improve
ments of the age; nor will he sufIer
even his misfortunes to make him wis
err and better; he is too vain to be
taught by others, and too indolsnt TO
teach himself. Like the dim bird of
Egypt, whose stupid stare is taken for
glances of wisdom, he appears to be OH
ly the more bewildered by every in
creasing ray of light. Now we ask. in
all candor, what sensible reason can he
adduced TO prove the assertion true ?
In the first place, we have unlimited
water power, of which very small
portion is used. The water continues
TO pour over the natural falls created AT
the beginning of the world, and moves
along to its final destination in the
great deep.
The papers of Burlington, Rutland.
Brandon and Vergennes, are frequent,
y announcing with great joy, the start
ing up of new manufacturing enter
prises, which give life and vigor TO
their communities. But the papers of
our town have no such cheering an.
nouncements to make-the PRINCIPAL
items of news is the death of some AGED
citizen, or the removal to the far west
OF some enterprisiDg citizen. But Mid.
dlebury, with all her intelligence.
seems to loose sight of the essential ben.
efits to be derived from healthy sys.
tenn of manufacturing interests in our
midst, and is grasping after education.
al and mercantile shadows, which with.
out the aid of capital and business. will
sooner or later languish and die.
Men in crowds stands in tho na,le,
places upon our streets, waiting and
hoping that some move will be made to
give, honest employment to willing
hands; But alas thus far they have
waited in vain. The business sky i,
like brass over their heads, and nc
cloud OF mercy seems to appear to cbeel
their fainting hopes. The tax-gathere,
hovers about their houses as relentles,
as the cold hand of death, demaudins
tina small pittance laid away from m,
hard earned labor in the busiest mar
Of the year, and leaves the little famiI,
to live as best they can through the rio
ors of a long Vermont winter. II Z
frequently asked why Middlebury don,
grow like other towns in the state
We will tell you some of the reasons
one Is because the enterprising youns
men born here are compelled to leaye
and go to other sections of the country
where all kinds of manufacturing anf
other enterprises are encouraged ani
sustained, that their town NAV grow
and prosper. We are confident flat i
the cotton factory property which In,
lain still for a number Of vears-;t
wheels and machinery rusting out, wa
iocated Ill any other town in the stat,
OF Vermont, it would be running fol
some purpose, in one MONTH Offered
for sale, as it is, at mere nomina
price, 1t ought to be secured by our cir
liens and encouragement given to for
eign capitalists looking for such places
to come in, set the wheels in motion
and give relief 10 honest idle hands.
| We say again, II is absurd that mann
featuring cannot be carried on as chean
ly and successfully in Middlebury as II
any other town in Vermont. Situated
as II is, in the midst of one of the mos
prosperous and wealthy farming dis
tricts In the state-with an endless sup
ply of all kinds OF timber within cas-,
access, and an abundance of water DOW.
or. how can 1t fail to be great business
centre II proper means be taken TO Sc.
cure itl What Is true in the expert.
ence Of other towns, will be equally
true with us If the same means be
adopted. Look at the town of Bristol
a town far from railroad accommoda.
tons, and learn what the "Bristol Man.
ufacturing Company" and other manu-.
featuring interests are doing for that
town. The first of these enterprises
was commenced on small scale by Mr.
Iowden, and although the material for
the manufacture of their caskets had &c
be imported, and their finished work
exported TO the markets of the world
the business has proved largely renun,
erailye TO the proprietors, besides Civ
ing steady employment TO large mum.
Der OF operators. We speak OF Bristol