Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-07-07
What Vermont Needs.

During the past two years attention has
been devoted to n marked degree to the
neod OF more manufactures in Vermont, and
thc sudden demand for home investmen
makes the present favorable time to con-
slider this subject cxhaustively Much has
been said upon this topic but we do not re-
member 20 have seen it treated in more
intelligent and practical manner than in a
letter written 90 the ST. Johnsbury Repub
ican by ev-Leut-Gov. u. a. Woodbury. in
answer to arequcst for his views TO the
best means to help Nermont's farming and
manufacturing interests. BY way of intro
duction to the letter the Republican said;
Col. L. \. Woodbury. is Il Nermonter
who was brought up Il farm and who has
attained brilliant success as a business man.
Ilo practices what he breaches, ms his large
business and property interests in Burling-
ton and elsewhere amply attest" Col.
Woodbury. wrote as follows:
Your favor asking my opinion as to the
best remedies to be applied to help the
farmers of Vermont and her manufacturing
interests, Is received. ] do not feel that |
am competent to suggest much that will be
OF value to your readers, but your courteous
reques: deserves answer
That our farming and manufacturing in.
terosts need assistance i'll certain directions
is admitted by all. Tut how to obtain it is n
subject upon which opinions are various and
widely divergent. In an article the length
that you desire it will not be possible to
present much argument or proof, but simply
state opinions
1t seems to me that it is OF the first i'm
portauoe that our manufacturing industries
be increased, as this would necessitate the
employment Of more labor at fair wages,
causing n greater demand for agricultural
products This would give larger home
market, which is always the best And the
investment Of more capital in manufacture
ing properties would increase the total
valuation for taxation and decrease the per
cent pecossary to be levied upon all property,
including farms.
The direct benefits to be derived from
such an increase of our manufacturing in
dustries many of our most sagaoious
business men deem possible and feasible,
cannot be over estimated. Among the bene-
fits would be lessened taxation, increased
population and wealth, better religious and
educational facilities, and many others that
are obvious.
The products of manufactures in Yer
mont may and should be doubled in the
present decade. How can this much de-
sired result be accomplished? By the peo-
pie in Vermont, who have any money to in
| vest, lowering their vision and not looking
over her mountains and beyond her limits
| to some distant and fGnGied better place for
investment Prosperity is nearer US than
we believe. 1t is at our doors, and all we
need to do is to reach out our hands and
grasp 1t. Is it not safer for us to invest our
| W q j to v
about how it shall be used, than to trust it
! to alien and often dishonest hands If we
| have faith in Vermont and any honest de-
desire for her welfare, let US use our efforts
to make her what she may and ought to be
| by investing our money within her borders.
Relative to other methods of relief for our
| farming interests | should say that one of
the most obvious is the keeping of trauspor
tation rates for agricultural products low
as is consistent with the rights OF the stock
! holders in our railroads when they are care
fully and economically managed.
In regard to double taxation, much has
been written upon the subject by many
able men and l do not feel that | can add
anything of interest about it, but will say
that l could never any justice in
it, The total valuation of property
would be diminished somewhat, no doubt
| equitably the taxes upon realty between the
mortgagee and the mortgagor, as all mort
cages held by saving banks and trust com
paues, and some that are held by individ-
uals, now pay taxes, but | believe that
heavy burdens would be lifted from large
number of persona.
What all OF our citizens need is d stronger
faith in tho resources OF Vermont, and u
fixed determination to grasp every oppor-
tunity, however small, to develop them.
Give us these aud farmers and all other
classes Of our people will be greatly bene
| fitted. L. \. WOODBURY..
These are sound as we'll as comprehensive
views and they will commend themselves tc
all intelligent readers as thoroughly prac-
ticable. Residents OF Burlington as well "a
as other leading towns in the State hav'
frequent opportunity to put Col. Wood
bury's suggestions into effect. The way tC
do this is to go to work at once, and 4
this is done throughout the State new
and unexampled era Of prosperity will hav'
dawned in Vermont