The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-07-03
VermOnt..-" Skunk journalism"

The Rutland Herald declares that
the Burlington Ne,os is the victim of
ga characteristic exhibition of skunk
journalism on the part of the YER,
MONT WATERMAN" The Ne,Ds tear
fully takes up the wall, and the con-
temporary and its sympathizer organ
ize "lodge of sorrow" that is as
touching as it is beautiful and SYM
pathetic. The " characteristic exhibit
tion," the NepS explains, was the
WATCHMAN's recent article, Yer
mont Is All Right" This was de-
Tense of Vermont against a series of
attacks which the contemporaries now
confess resembled in their characteris-
tics the assaults of an animal described
as nocturnally predaceous. All that is
left of these assaults is disagreeable
odor, and "skunk journalism" has been
given a definition and an illustration
by one of its victims.
The Ne,0s plaintively protests its in
nocence of any wrong intent in its re-
cent raid upon Vermont's farming in
terests, its slurs upon the states
"dwindling" towns, and its arraignment
of the business capacity of their Off
cials. From its "inner consciousness"
the WATCHMAN called it cussedness,
but the sensitive contemporary objects,
and the term is withdrawn-the NeDS
evolved certain alleged percentages of
loss, shrinkage and decay to show how
fast Vermont was running down hill
and how soon she would reach the bot
tom. These percentages, which seem to
be entirely mythical, the contemporary
calls Statistics. 1t pursued its devil
GUS way among the towns and counties
of the state in search of conditions that
might fay in with certain preconceived
notions, and picked out town here or
county there that might be used as a
"terrible example," leaving out of the
question neutralizing considerations of
vital importance. Its articles were
sensational, and evidently designed to
be so. Published ia the chief city of
the state, the center of its culture and
all there is of its gospel privileges"
that are worth mentioning-if there is
no mistake in the local estimate of the
rank and importance of the Queen City
in Vermonts economy-the statements
of the Ne,DS might obtain credence in
quarters where the real facts of the
situation were not known. Some too
credulous people in Vermont might be
! led to credit these statements if they
should pass unchallenged. So, out of
consideration of the fair fame of the
state, the WATCHMAN has given this
matter some attention.
In this connection we are constrained
to publish an extract from a private
letter just received from gentleman
whose familiarity with all the facts of
the condition of agriculture in Vermont,
whose good judgment, extensive ex-
perience and official researches render
him a competent witness, and entitle
his testimony to conclusive weight:
II have noticed with interest the discus.
sion going on between the Ne,os and
| WATCHMAN, and am glad to note the ground
you have taken, which is in the main cor
rect In reference to the cutting down OF
farm valuations since 1882: This is due to
two causes. First, there has been some.
thing Of a depreciation in values during
this time, here as elsewhere, or the pur.
chasing power Of dollar has increased
put 1t either way. Second, the appraisal OF
real estate in 1881, under the spur of the tax
law OF 1880, put value upon much real es.
tate in excess Of its selling value. Since
then the consciences Of listers have been
growing easier, and they have continued tc
let down appraisals little each year until
to-day l do not think the average appraisal
OF real estate Is over seventy-fve per cent
OF its actual value. There has been nc
general decline in the prices of farm lands
in the past three to five years, but the ten
dency is to strengthening of values
Both sides Of this statement can be proved
by taking individual instances, but for tn,
whole state about three-fourths of tn,
towns report farm lands as stronger thar
three years ago. The other one-fourth re
port them unchanged or lower. am glat
this question has come up. 1t will do gooc
to give it an airing, for, as you say, Yer
mont is all right and can furnish proof o
the fact"
The foregoing is the judgment o
Hon. Victor 1. Spear, statistical secre
tary of the board OF agriculture, as ex
pressed in private correspondence il
reply to some inquiries by the editor.