The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-01-23
MANUFACTURING IN VERMONT.

| Commissioner Valentine is criticised
by some ut the newspapers b. cause, in
stead of seeking Swedish culOns,s for
the abandoned farms he does not take
manufacturers by the ear and lead them
up into Vermont ard persuaded them to
Guild tn, ir mills along the wafer courses
of the State, and thus repeople its de-
serted places. Men with money to in
vest in manufacturing are usually on
the lookout for the main chance, and re-
quire little coaching from persons inter-
ested in particular localities. They can
see as far into milestone ss the men of
a community that invites their business.
Vermonts advantages for ma ufactur-
ing are probably better understood by
manufacturers themselves than by some
of the critics of the Commissioner
course. Her water powers count for
less with the experienced manufacturer,
probably, than with the native boomer.
Steam, even in Localities having good
water power, is preferred for iIa great
reliability and uniformity. And it is
quite like ly true that the transportation
question counts far more against manu-
| dcturing enterprise in Vermont than do
water privileges IN its favor. The
shrewd manufacturer is not going to 10.
ate where he is at the mercy Of ngle
line or system of railway-not If he
Knuws it. The freight bill is an import
ant item in the production of goods
the means of quick and easy access IT,
market, and for the reception of supplies
from maj ket, is also an important con-
liberation IN these days OF sharp cOmpr-
Ition. Nearly all the large manufac
turers in the State began here 10 a sma
way. If they could have their choice
ow they would probably prefer some
other locality. Major Valentine per
hdps knows how this is himself.
The situation of many of the localities
IN Vermont which would unqestionably
~ helped by the building of mills ami
acIories IN their vicinity is 80 unfavor-
,ble for manufacturing that if their
esurreclion depends upon this branch
# industry no Gabrel's trumpet will
.ound for them. If they have local re-
sources to be developed, the difficulty is
very much the same. Manufacturing
'apltal cannot easily be coaxpd into To-
calities deficient IN the means of cheap
and expeditions transportation. IL
manufacturing can not be planted in
-easonable proximity to the rsgionr
where these cheap lands are, no very
great advantage il likely 10 be derived
Manufacturing at Burlington or Montpe.
Iier or St. JOhnsbury is not kelly to
benefit the red r,gion in Orange or
Windsor county. 1t is possible. too that
manufacturing, as a panacea for the ma
terial ills of Vermont, has been some
what ovprestimated. In WindhRm
county are two of the large mAuufacrur.
ing villages of the State-BellOws Falls
and Bratlleboro. The towns of tba'
,uunty are also near some of the large
manufacturing places of Massachusetts,
out Windham county is painted red on
he Commissioners map of abandoned
or unoccuped farms, while Addison and
l. tmo lie, tor ex ample, having no large
manufacturing interests and situated
near no large markes <, report but one
tlwn having over 500 acres Of aban-
toned lInJs. ......-.
Now we are not arguing against man.
ufacturing as one very desirable nleans
tor increasing Vermonts prosperity in
general and the farming interest in par
ocular The more manufacturing the
nptter for the S ate and the farmers.
But we do not believe it 8 possible 10
coax eurside capitallnto the State to any
lCOnslneraO!e tX elJ, Inc vermont peO-
pie are not setting foreign capital an en-
couraging XimpIe, independently OF
he disadvantages Of which we have
spoken. The most aud the best that can
De done at present ia in developing local
Industries instead of the industries oi
Muncie, Fort Payne, Denmson, etc. But
any possible local industrial develop
mrUt will NJ 'epeope the r. gions which
once supported thrifty farming commu-
mites Etfor = for that purpose must be-
direct. Such sffoIts the Commissioner
is making. He evidently Knows better
han his critics what he is about. All
that he can do t. encourage The growtt
Of manufacturing lie will undc ubtedly
do He can no more coax foreign man
ufactures to come t. Vel mont than he
can persuade Vermont Investors TO us,
their money at home. The Legislature
may re-enact the law ex mptng capita
newly iuvest,d d IN manufacturing from
axation. hut really desirable investor
are not kelly to jump at that bait. They
prefer to pay their taxes ! ka other meD
aud ask no favors. Wdtchnldn stt