Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-06
"The Listing Law"

MONTPELIER, Vt, April 4, 1881.
Mr.. Editor:-Our friend signing himself Zone
Of the Poor" in last weeks WATcHMAN, may, we
fear, well expect to remain poor, for he seems
able to see in one direction only and to entertain
views noble, but impractcable, II not injurious,
when sought to be enforced by coercion and often
sive methods. When he and his kind learn better
than to kick their porridge and parayze their
own limbs by butting their foolish heads against
the fountain Of their daily pap, they will find
themselves nearer the accomplishment Of their
object With the exception Of some cases, mostly
Of morbid acquisitiveness, an unprejudiced view
of the great liberality and constant benefactions
Of capitalists generally should convert the curses
on their lips to words Of praise and gratitude, and
cover their faces with shame at their own improv-
idence and shortcomings. Why, some Of the be-
lied wealthy men" OF this town, doubt not, pay
more annually In taxes and charities than q reg
iment Of these grumblers pay in all their lives
Yet not thank is returned for all this generous
bestowal Of the fruits of personal energy and tai
ent by those born free and equal only, with them
selves to obtain the blessings Of life.
Men who show In art and science extraordinary
capacity have the fruits Of their labor secured
to them by letters patent; and is 1t just to con-
denim an honorable and successful fnancier II he
feels to sequester part Of his income while he
pays 10 liberally9 II it were just, be assured it
would not be policy, for II you push him too hard
and reproach him, he will do 1t nine times in ten.
As rule the rich Of to-day were the poor OF
half a century ago. What reason, them have we
to believe that those who malign these now would
have done any better had they possessed sufficient
energy to have acquired like aiiuence7 Let us
Judge not but be thankful to those who give us to
share so freely In the fruits OF their superior energy
and skill. By this course we shall be much more
likely to obtain the objects sought than by often
sive and impracticable methods OF coercion.
But our poor friend cannot see 1t thus. lie seems
blind as well as poor, and becomes ferocious be-
cause capitalists and others, good, honorable men,
show concern, or feeling, at being laid under
severe penalties unless they publicly disclose and
record all the values Of every sort which they
may possess, however essential to safety secrecy
may be; too, In compliance with law, they must
make and subscribe the most exact and rigid oath
on matters in themselves often not admitting ac-
curate determination; or II any one should feel
incapable OF complying with the inquistorial,
slayish, and impracticable regulations imposed,
they can submit to have the list OF all
| possessions doubled. And further this man ad-
vises, "IfMe present ldto shall be found made
| Quate to its designs then find other methods by
| rhich il can be made more stringent" Too bad
| He seems bent on sef-destructon and the injury
| of the good old state OF Vermont. Has he not
| seen within q month capital in abundance and
capitalists, good men, too, leaving the state? BE
sure labor will follow business will diminish and
our outlying towns be left to grow up TO bushes
| Poor ENOUGH, But NOT BLIND.