Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-07-07


Col. L. A. Woodbury. is Vermont.
er who was brought up on a farm ant
who has attained brilliant success as (
business man. He practices what h,
breaches, as his large business anC
property interests in Burlington anc
elsewhere amply attest. We take
pleasure in printing the following
timely, practical and able letter from
Col. Woodbury. from the St. Johns.
bury Republican:
Your favor asking my opinion as to
the best remedies to be applied to help
the farmers Of Vermont and her manu-
featuring interests, is received. | dc
not feel that ! am competent 10 sug-
gest much that will be Of value to youl
readers, but your courteous request
deserves answer.
That our farming and manufacture
ing interests need assistance in certain
directions is admitted by all, but how
to obtain it is subject upon which
opinions are various and widely diver
gent. In an article the length that
you desire it will not be possible to
present much argument or proof, baA
simply state opinions.
1t seems to me that it is of the first
importance that our manufacturing in
terests be increased, as this would
necessitate the employment of more
labor at fair wages, causing a greater
demand tor agricultural products.
This would give larger home market,
which is always the best. And the in-
vestment of more capital in manufac-
turing properties would increase the
total valuation for taxation and de-
crease the per cent necessary to be
levied upon all property, including
farms.
The direct benefits to be derived
from such an increase of our manu-
featuring industries as MANY of our
most sagacious business men deem
possible and feasible, cannot be over
estimated. Among the benefits would
be lessened taxation, increased popula-
tion and wealth, better religious and
educational facilities, and many others
that are obvious.
The products of manufactures in
Vermont may and should be doubled
in the present decade. How can this
much desired result be accomplished !?
BY the people in Vermont, who have
money to invest, lowering their vision
and not looking over her mountains
and beyond her limits to some distant
and fancied better place for investment.
Prosperity is nearer us than we be-
lieve. 1t is at our doors and all we
need TO do is to reach out our hands
and grasp it. Is it not safer for us to
invest our money where we can have
something to say 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 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 bor-
ders.
Relative to other methods of relief
for our farming interests, | should say
that one of the most obvious is the
keeping of transportation rates for ag-
ricultural products as low as is con-
sisteut with the rights of the stock
holders in our railroads, when they are
carefully and economically managed.
In regard to double taxation much
has been written upon the subject by
many able men and | do not feel that
! can add anything of interest about it
but will say that never could see any
Justice in it. The total valuation of
would be diminished some
what, no doubt, bv the enactment of a
law dividing equitably the taxes upon
realty between the mortgage and the
as all mortgages held by
savings banks a,l trust companies,
and some that are held by individuals,
now pay taxes, but | believe that heavy
burdens would be lifted from a large
number of per.ous.
What all of our citizens need is a
stronger faith in the resources of Ver-
mont, and a fixed determination to
grasp every opportunity, however
small to develop them. Give us these
and farmers and all other classes of our
people will be greatly benefited.
u. A. WOODBURY..
Burlington, Vt, June 81, 1892.
The Republicans Of eight of fourteen
of the state have held conven-
tions and placed in nomination for
senator's such representative men as
DR.. John A. Mead of Rutland, Fletch-