The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-30
A Farmers Letter.
MIDDLFsEX. Vt. January %

MIDDLEsEx, VT, January 2S, 1884.
Mr. Editor:-Vermont seems to be losing her
relative Importance among the states of this
nation. This may be partly owing to circum-
stances beyond our CONTROL but doubtless
wise, liberal and energetic administration OF
our state government might do much to stay
the tide of wealth and population that has
been going out from Vermont for the last fifty
years. The elevation and encouragement OF
our common schools is point where con-
structive craftsmanship" is needed Let the
state do half as much for the honest boys and
girls at home as it does for the rogues at the
reform school. Charity is good, but let it
begin at home" and it will cover the null
titude of SINS" An improved system in the
care and management of our highways is
needed, and should begin at once Better
accommodations for the care and preservation
Of our state library would add to the dignity
Of the state. These are some of the obvious
improvements that our legislatures and gov
errors ought to make as soon as may be- The
people, "in whom and by whom " the govern
ment is, demand 1t. There are other measures
for the material improvement OF the state of
Vermont that require not only the best states
manship, but liberal outlay of money and
the cooperation of other states and govern
ments. One hundred years ago one of the
brightest, smartest men that Vermont ever
had, Ira Allen, projected canal from Lake
Champlain to the st. Lawrence river and, by
his application to the governor of Canada, OBJ
tanned a survey of it by the engineer of that
province in 1885 In 1895 he went to England
to get leave of the British government to build
the canal, and also for aid in building it. Does
any one doubt that if he had been able to have
accomplished so great work then, that our
beautiful lake would have become a great
commercial highway and center, and that Bur-
lington and other towns along its shores would
have WED with the great lake ports of the West
in wealth and importance-and that Vermont
and all New England, too, would have been
greatly benefited? And now, after almost a
century, with abundant means at our command
ought not this last link of the great chain Of
lake and river navigation be completed? The
opening up and development of our great
Northwest, " the granary of the world and
the building of the Northern Pacific railroad,
will pour tide OF commerce along the line OF
the great lakes unknown and unthought Of in
the days of the Aliens. The matter of build
ing twenty miles OF ship canal, that would
enable vessels to load at Chicago and ether
western ports and unload at Burlington and
other Champlain ports, is one that might well
engage the attention of our state and national
governments, as we'll as the Canadian and
British authorities. And it is eminently proper
for Vermont, as one to be greatly benefited, to
be first to move in this great work. Will our
| governors, legislators, or our delegation in
congress do anything about it? The building
of a railroad from Lake Memphremagog south
| ward to Montpelier, and thence by way of the
Mad River valley, through the mountains to
| Rutland, would be great convenience and
help to the state, and bring much travel through
our mountains from New York and the great
| cities that now goes to other states Something
| might be said about improving the agriculture
of the state, but this article is too long already.
| And, in fact, we believe that give the farmers a
fair chance. and they will not only take care of
| themselves but feed and clothe the people of
| all other occupations W. c.