The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-12-25
1MM1dRANTs To vERMoNr.

The Free Press prints an interview
with Maj. Valentine, in its issue of the
goth, from which we take the following:
"In reply 10 the question as to what
he thought of the failure of the Legisla-
ture to continue the commission of
immigration and industrial interests,
the Major said that he was required by
the act under which he worked to formu-
late bill, embodying his views as to
the continuance of the commission for
the consideration of the Legislature. |
He did so, and his views were approved |
by both Governor Dillingham; and Gov
ernor Page, and their adoption urged in
their messages. He felt no RESPONSE |
bility after that, and no regrets in so far
as the interests of his State were con-
cerned. FOf course many of the advan-
tages expected to accrue from the work
of the commission will not be realized;
yet, he believes that much good has been
done and will continue to follow as the
result of his labors.
'As for the Swedes, he is informed by
Mr.. Nordgren that many were waiting on
the other side for arrangements to be
made for their reception, and for con-
ductor to lead them to their destination.
Some will probably come, even now, to
| lOlu dlItduy HtIt, Uub nO
doubt the immigration will to great ex-
| tent cease. 80
"Some of the Swedes now here ex-
press discouragementb because friends ex-
pected cannot receive the advantages of
a conductor and interpreter, and in two
or three instances intention is expressed
to take themselves and expected friends
to other states bidding for them. Prob
ably three families will leave Vermont
for the reason mentioned, and the fear is
that when start is made more will fol-
low. Yet Mr.. Valentine feels sure that
every member of one colony, at least,
will remain, and that others will gradu-
ally settle around them. The Swedes
have had feeling of State protection
:. against imposition, and it would be ex-
pected that encouragement would en-
sue at its withdrawal.
"Majer Valentine says that letters are
being constantly received from citizens,
native and foreign born, asking for in
formation. Whole. settlements in the
West express anxiety to emigrate to
Vermont. He is, of course, powerless to
do more than answer letters and make
suggestions.
"In answer to the question, what is
the best way to continue the work?" he
said the only way which suggested itself
to him was for towns to act through
resident committees or boards of trade,
and cause circulars to be issued, giving
detailed information and setting forth
the advantages of their respective local..
ties. Such committees or boards have
been organized within the past year al
,, Wilmington, Vershire and other towns
,, Jamaica, Windham county, is good ex
ample of what few enterprising mer
, can do. More than 20 farms, most OF
them of the abandoned" class, now
: have occupants who have paid for the
, lands, or so nearly so as to insure tina
!, payment. .
Major Valentine expresses willing
ness to spend some time and some of his
own money, seeing the State has none tC
spare to aid in this matter, and he il
now possessed of much material which
= would aid those desiringit. But neither
! he nor anyone else can accomplish any
! thing without the cooperation of thos'
= most Interested
Editorially the Free Press calls this /;
= good suggestion" and adds: "Sinc,
, the Legislature kicked over the commits
! sion OF immigration and industrial inter
ests, and the commissioner as well
MdJOr NdlenUlne mas Deell receiving nu
!, merous letters of inquiry from parties
in the West expressing desire to return
= to New England, whole settlement
= in the West" says Mr.. Valentine, tex
q press anxiety to emigrate to Vermont.
: This is pretty sweeping statement, bu
- we have seen sufficient number of let
= tiers of inquiry of this sort to satisfy u
that there are many people in the West
= particularly in the Dakotas, who would
: like to return to New England.
"How shall their inquiries be an
= swered, and how shall they be reached
The Legislature in its desire to sweel
;, Mr.. Valentine and his commission of
II the boards failed to make any provision
, for the continuation of the work, an,
q there is very fair prospect, unles
y something be done Immediately by lindi
. viduals or towns, that New Hampshire
: Massachusetts, and other States, wher
g industrial commissions are still in oper
g e Eation, will reap all the beuefits of tn
: work done and money expended in car
q rying on the Vermont commission TO
n the past two years.