Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-08-16
How Shall Vermont Help Herself ?
COMMISSIONER VALENTINE LET
TER TO THE LISTERS
suggesting the Colonization of Unoccu-
pied Lnnds with Families of Thrifty

Tt X TO THE LISTERS
Suggesting the Colonization of UuOccu-
pied LANDS with Families of Thrifty
Swedes.
Gentlemen The gradual decrease of
cultivated acres in many towns of our com
monwealth, and the consequent decrease of
population in those towns, has attracted
the attention of Thoughtful men. The dis
cussion Of the possibility of checking the
outflow of our young men and women, and
the re populHtiug of the lands thus left
without tenants, has eliminated in the es-
Enlistment of commission by the last
lie yislature, and a copy of the act establish
ing the commission is herewith enclosed.
Provision is made in the act for certain ex-
permental action looking towards the
bringing of the agricultural advantages of
the state to the knowledge of the people of
other states or countries, and inducing them
TO purchase unoccupied, abandoned or 9th
er lands for the purposes of cultivation.
This communication is addressed to you be-
cause you, in your official capacity as town
listers, have reported certain lands, once
cultivated, but now turned into pasture or
growing up to forest and practically aban-
doned for farm purposes.
In this communication the commissioner
wishes it to be understood that he is not
committed to any fixed plan of action, for
he is not yet fully persuaded that any prac-
ticable means can be devised to accomplish
the end sought, The object of this paper
is rather reaching out for information
from which to decide whether to attempt
to follow the line of action herein brought
to your attention or to abandon the only
practicable remedy which has thus far sug
gested itself.
The successful establishment of colonies
of Swedes on unoccupied lands in the state
of Maine, and the success of corporations
at the West in the colonization of railroad
lands with citizens of the same nationality
has led the commissioner to think it posi-
ble to divert this class of desirable inhab-
itants to our own state. 1t is true that the
state of Maine and the railroad companies
owned the lands. Did the state of Yer
mont own the 200, 900 acres of land report
ed now abandoned for farming purposes,
but formerly under cultivation, and much
of which is capable of a successful cultiva-
ton as the prosperous surrounding farms,
the problem could be easily solved. Yet,
even now, it does not seem impossible to
accomplish much through this bureau, fol
lowing the lead of the state and corpora
tions mentioned. The commissioner has
lately conferred with "A prominent Swede
of Nebraska, who has brought over a mum.
Der of colonies of his countrymen tn settle
on railroad lands in that state. If facts
seem to warrant it, the commissioner pur-
poses to take the gentleman mentioned over
parts of our state where are reported large
tracts of land suitable for cultivation, and
which can be secured at a low price. He
is IA practical farmer and a thorough Judge
of the wants of his countrymen possesses
and has earned their confidence to the full
est extent, and would not recommend their
settlement in our state unless it is clear
that they could become prosperous tillers
of the soil
Our state presents many of the china tic
characteristics of the Scandinavian coun-
tries, resembling them also in surface and
soil, and no better immigrants than the
Swedes ever set foot on American soil or
derby, peaceful, Industrious, frugal and
thrifty. In the West, wherever you find
colonies of this nationality you find "a pros
porous community, and if our state could
secure like inhabitants to fill our waste
places, we should be fortunate indeed. In
the state of Maine town is called New
Sweden, and long ago the lands were paid
for and all the help the state advanced re
paid with interest The Swedish gentle
man before referred to proposes, if exam
nation of our lands will warrant it,
to bring over a colony of 80 families, they
paying for their own passage Many OF
them would require time extending from
three to five years in which to pay for Their
land. Also temporary shelter for the fam
lies would have to be provided before their
arrival. If necessary, the commissioner
might feel justified in lending part of the
appropriation at his command for the sup
plying of immediate necessities.
Of course it would be folly to try to in
duce desirable immigrants to settle on
worthless lands Also the price of the
lands must approximate the price of the
wild lands of the West, in no case to ex
coed So an acre. Some listers have report
ed good lands to be bought at So Thi.
work must be to IA large extent labor of
patriotism and state pride, for there can be
no intermediate commission or profits al
advantages must be given to the imm
grants alone, though you can see the bene
| fits of such settlement benefits fai
reaching to the town as such, as well as Il
property in the vicinity of such Il colony
| These immigrants, if they come at all will
not come to gut the labor market, but a,
farmers to till the soil, and add to the rea
| ntdlll VI eIInOHJ. IL is ueSlTdDle Una
lands contiguous and of sufficient extent t.
supply the whole colony should be secured
According to reports received there are
four sections of the state answering the re
quirements in this particular, though per
haps occupying parts of more than one
town. If you think the unoccupied lands
in your vicinity suitable for the purpose
mentioned, and desire that your tow
should secure the benefits of such a settle
ment, the commissioner would be glad t.
correspond with you and your selectmen
or others interested. The following infor
nation is essential
LIST. How many contiguous acres could
probably be secured in your town and ad
| joining towns
I'd. At what price do you think the LAND
could be bought
Sd. Information as to quality of land,
its improvements, location
4th. Conditions being satisfactory, could
bonds for deeds be secured, and would YOU
or person or persons selected by you, do
the work required, the commissioner, OF
course, refunding any moneys necessarily
expended
9TH Would the people of your town
take an interest in the enterprise
In taking hold of this matter you can
nave Ihe Satisfaction OF RnOWlng That you
may be the means of bringing to our state
the most desirable class of immigrants,
whose presence and habits could but con
duce to advancement of Vermont, and add
much to the value of property in your own
immediate section. If this is begun at all
it is but a beginning, as friends and rela
tives left behind will surely follow, and the
good results will be permanent and far
reaching.
Again it is repeated that the commission
er has no fixed policy to advocate. On the
contrary, he has grave doubts as to the re
suits of his labor and especially as to
whether the thoughts herein suggested can
be followed to practical conclusion. Ger
tain it is that the active cooperation of
yourself and other prominent men, and of
citizens generally of the towns where de-
sirable lands are located is necessary to
insure satisfactory results, or even to JUS
tify beginning. If the idea commends
itself to the judgment of practical bust
ness men, and meets with sufficient encour
agement, the lands will be visited in Sep
TENDER of the present year, with IA view of
selecting a location for the first 30 famil-
les, to be brought from Sweden in the early
spring of 1890.
Hoping to hear from you at your earliest
convenience, remain, yours truly,
a, b. VALENTINE.
A Problem for the Professors.
We hone now that wa hava 10 GROl Nv