The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-08-08

arrival. If necessary, the Commissioner
might feel justified in lending part OF
the appropriation at his command for
the supplying Of immediate necessities.
"Of course, it would be folly to try to
induce 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 five dollars an acre, Some listers
have reported good lands to be bought at
three dollars.
"This work must be, to large extent,
labor of patriotism and State pride, for
there can be no intermediate commission
or profits; all advantages must be given
to the immigrants alone, though you can
see the benefits of such settlement;
benefits far reaching to the towns as
such, as well as to property in the vicin-
ity of such colony. These immigrants
If they come at all, will not come to glut
the labor market, but as farmers, to till
the soil, and add to the real wealth Of
Vermont.
ut is desirable that lands contiguous
and of sufficient extent to supply the
whole colony should be secured. Ac-
cording to reports received, there are
four sections of the State answering the
requirements in this particular, though
perhaps 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 town
should secure the benefits of such set
Element, the Commissioner would be
glad to correspond with you and your
selectmen, or others interested.
1.-THE following information is essen
tial:
"1st. How many contiguous acres
could probably be secured in your town
and adjoining towns?
"2d. At what price do you think the
land could be bought ?
I'D. Information as to quality of
land, its improvements, location
18th. Conditions being satisfactory,
could bonds for deeds be secured, and
would you, or a person or persons Sc
lected by you do the work required, the
Commissioner, of course, refunding any
moneys necessarily expended
18th. Would the people of your town
take an interest In the enterprise ?
SIN taking hold of this matter, you can
have the satisfaction of knowing that
|
State the most desirable class of immi-
grants, whose presence and habits could
but conduce to the advancement of Yer
mont, and add much to the value OF
property in your own immediate Sec
ton. If this is begun at all it is but
beginning, as friends and relatives left
behind will surely follow, and the good
results will be permanent and far reach
ing.
"Again 1t is repeated that the Com
missioner has no fixed policy to advo-
cate. On the contrary, he has grave
doubts as to the results Of his labors, and
especially as to whether the thoughts
herein suggested can be followed to
practical conclusion. Certain it is, that
the active cooperation of yourself and
other prominent men and of citizens gen.
orally of the towns where desirable lands
are located, is necessary 10 insure salts
factory results, or even to justify begin
ming. If the idea commends itself to the
judgment of practical business men, and
meets with sufficient encouragement the
lands will be visited in September of the
present year with view of selecting a
location for the first fifty families, to be
brought from Sweden in the early spring
of 1890,
Hoping to hear from you at your
earliest convenience, remain, etc."
Apropos to the desirability of YER
mont, we copy from private letter,
written by an old Vermonter, now a res
ident of Southern California
"The farmers here are having hard
time, Between low prices and the pests
which infest the vines and trees, they
say they are running behind. Prices are
getting down to nearer their value now.
On town lots some desirable lots can now
be bought at one fifth the asking price
of eighteen months ago."
The Free Press says: "This from a
Vermonter who has lived in California
for some years, and whose property in
terests are there, is very suggestive. 1t
conveys its own moral. No one portion
of the country has monopoly of all the
good things. While we could get along
with less rain in this section of the coun-
try at just this time, California hasn't
enough to settle the dust. Though the
morning papers for weeks have contain
ed reports of disasters by fiood-and this
morning is not an exception-Vermont-
ers have been spared serious losses. Liv
ing in State founded on a rock, or on
rocks to be exact, has its disadvantages
at times, and then again it has its adj
vantages. When the winds blow and
the rains beat upon these rocks they
generally leave them about as they find
them, which cannot be said OF other and
softer portions of the country, Vermont
is the best place for Vermonters, after
ALL"
And if for Vermonters, why not for
thrifty Europeans The Commissioner
is on the right track and should be
heartily supported.