St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-09-25
Tbe Californian
BIENNIAL REPORTS.
The Commissioner Of A Agricultural an
Manufacturing Interests.

first blanks sent out to the listers for
information regarding the industrial
condition of the state were not fruit
full of results, leading the commits
sioner to the conclusion that no
statistics of value can be gathered
except by a personal canvass, as is
done by the United States govern
ment and by other states. The call
for information as to abandoned
farms had better results and deter
mined the commissioner line OF
action for the two years.
The CALIFORNIAN has followed the
timely reports of the commissioner
on the abandoned farms and Swedish
immigration so closely that it need
not recapitulate the report i'll detail
on this subject The commissioner
states that there are about 500, 900
acres of land in the state, which could
be bought few months ago at from
So to So an acre Some of it was
rocky and some badly located for
general farming but this could be
left to grow up to timber. The
Swedish immigration scheme is ably
vigorously defended by the commits
sioner, who states that the Whining
ton and Weston colonies are an en-
tire success. The colony at Vershire
has not prospered so thoroughly but
its members remain in the state and
are doing well.
Manufacturing receives considera
BILE attention in the report. The
great value of manufacturing indus
tries is urged and attention is called
to the growth and possibilities in
this direction Liberality in the mat
ter of local taxation, that the small
beginnings of manufacturing may
not be discouraged is recommended,
as an ample return will come in time
by increased receipts from industries
so fostercd.
Sta tistics. says the report, show
that there is a gradual and health
full increase of manufacturing in Yer
mont. Already the aggregate value
reproduction reaches $37 900, 100000
annually, employing 10000 opera
tives, who are paid over $6,5OO,-
10000. Capital invested amounts
to more than 100000, 100000, and
the number of establishments eX-
ceeds $500. The raw material used
is estimated at sol 900, 100000. In
classifying the statistics, it is shown
that the value of the output of mar
BILE and slate is nearly $4,000, 100000,
and of granite over ,0OO,0OO.OO,
while the census of 1880 placed the
products of these industries at less
than ,OOO,OOO.OO. The product
of knit goods was valued at $685.,
100000 and now reaches nearly or
quite So 900, 100000. An equal rat
of increase is noticeable in other
manufactures.
The question of freight is an impor-
tant factor in the establishment of
any industrial enterprise. The
manufacture of many heavy articles
of low value must be located on tide
water, or where competition for
freight makes low rates. Probably
railroad companies are no more or
less grasping than other companies
when opportunity offers. The fact,
however, that railroads are favored
by special state laws, granting them
valuable franchises, would seem to
be a reason why they should consider
the interests of the people doing bust
ness on their lines. The commits
sioner is not prepared to say that
they do not take this into considera-
ton, and it is self evident that but
few manufacturers could thrive re-
mote from railroad facilities. 1t is,
however, unfortunate for the manu-
facturer to be SO located as to be
subject to rates in excess of those
charged competitors in other sec
tions. To illustrate: The freight
rates for textile fabrics from Benning
ton to State Line via Bennington
and Rutland railway, seven miles,
are seven cents per 100 pounds.
From State Line to Troy via Fitch
burg railroad, % miles, are eight
cents. From Troy to New York, 1856
miles, they are also seven cents.
Whether, under the circumstances,
seven cents per 100 pounds for seven
miles is too high a rate, or whether
seven cents per 100 pounds for 1856
miles is too low, the commissioner,
who is not an expert in railroad mat
tiers, does not presume to say.
Regarding the expense of the COM
mission the report says: The cost |
to the state has been a trife COM
pared to the sums expended for like
purposes in other states, notwith-
standing the first cost is proportion
ately greater than may be expected |
hereafter Including the $4,000 APP
preparation for a specified purpose,
the amount paid the commissioner
for time spent and expenses incurred,
and the bills for printing, postage |
and other expenses, the total cost of |
this bureau for two years does not |
exceed $4,000, only about one-third |
of which can properly be charged to |
the cost of the establishment of the |
Swedish colonies.
The report says that natural and |
business-like method to follow would |
be the establishment of small colonies,
from 6 to 10 families
each, in d number of centres There
are many towns presenting as favor
able locations as those in which the
Swedes have already settled, and a
broad and comprehensive plan would
most quickly, effectively and economi-
cally accomplish the end sought.
Windham county can easily accom-
modate four more colonies; Windsor
and Orange counties as many more
each; Bennington county at least
one; Rutland county, one or more;
and Washington, Caledonia, Essex
and Orleans counties, one or more
each. Indeed, the magnificent farm
ing counties of Franklin, Lamoille,
Chittenden and Addison are not
without back farms, which to the
Swede would be a paradise, but are
of LITTLE worth fO the |
prosperous farmers on the rich bot
toms The situation can be sum-
married. as follows: