Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-10-25

The exemption from taxation of improve
ments ON deserted farms appears TO have
been proposed in the grange two years or
more ago. Alpha Messer, master of the
state grange, in a letter to the Waterman,
says
/ noticed In your issue of October ID a
communication from Prof. Scott of Hanover
M regard to exempting the improvements
ON deserted farms from taxation ! think
the suggestion good one and trust that it
will be adopted by the next legislature, but
the idea Is not new 1t has been discussed
toy the grange in this state for several years.
At the session of the state grange in Mont
peher, December 1857. it was favorahly
discussed and the following resolutions unau-
imously adopted
Whereas large number of farms IN the state
OF Vermont are being deserted, and the buildings
thereon are going to decay. causing the land to
become largely deprecated in value hv not being
cultivated. and thus making large depreciation
900 Oh" value of the surrounding lands.
W urrea~. "a lurg" number of our young aud EN-
fnrprisiuE men are leaving the state thus reduc-
luE tine agricultural populations therefore he 10
Resolved, that We, as representatives of the
farming interests lu state grange assembled. do
USE our Influence that there may be- a law enacted
Ht the next session of the general assembly of the
state OF Vermont, eNempting from taxation all
impruVemtntsiuu what are now termed deserted
farms ia this state together with all the stock that
may ho carried ou such farms for a term Of ten
wears. To- actuul owners vino shall occupy the same
for homes during said period
This resolution was brought To the atten-
tluu of prominent members OF the leglsla-
ture at Its last session, but was not deemed
of sufficient Importance to call for action.
a law such as called for in the resolution
would be a strong luducement for the young
men and those who had been unfortunate
IN business to take up these farms at IA nom
luaI price and improve them and make per
mauent homes tor themselves and their
families but the conservative @ element in
tins state has ALWAYS been averse to such
concessions and farm property has been
squeezed to the last dollar of valuation for
purposes of taxation, and improvements ON
farms in remote parts of the different towns
rarely escape the searching eyes of the list
ers Whether the state will grant cOncess-
ions tn foreigners which have been denied
Its native born population or not is "a matter
which will bee determined in the future,
with the chances greatly In favor of the con
ces~iou. While ! ann not averse to the col
ouizatIon scheme, think that at least an
equal chance should he given our native
population of limited means and it seem,
to me that the law might be SO construed as
/ to include some efforts in this direction.
No one, We think, has ever proposed that
foreigners should he granted any privilege,
/ rs an inducemeut to settle on the cheal
lands of this state that are not equally avail
/ able to native born citizens 1t Is STATED
ON what we believe To be good authority
that in Orange county several unoccupieC
farms have already been sold to Vermont
natives at the low price per acre PROPOSED
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