Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-10
Vermont's Mineral Resources.

The FREE PRESS has frequently la
monted the fact that so many hundred
thousands of Vermont capital should seek
investment in other sections of the coun-
try when our State possessed the sources
Of boundlcss wealth in her undevoloped
mineral deposits. 1t has been discourage
ing TO note the loss of thousands of dol
lars sent by our capitalists to the West
and South, while the resources OF our
own State were remaining IDLE merely for
the want of slight degree of attention
from our men of wealth. This Indifference
and neglect have plainly resulted from 4
lack of appreciation on the part of our
leading men of Nermont's opportunities
for profitable investment; for the average
Nermonter is not slow to grasp the oppor-
tunity to turn an honest dollar The peo-
pie of Vermont and capitalists in general
have not been fully informed as to the
abundance and profitable nature of YER
mont's mineral deposits The storehouses
of wealth with which nature has blessed
our Green Mountain State have conse-
quently remained closed until within Il
comparatively few years. and their devel-
opment has only fairy begun.
We have noted with II marked degree
of interest and pleasure, therefore, the re-
por; on The Marble, Slate and Granite
Industries of Vermont" which Prof.
George II. Perkins, Phi. D., State geologist,
has made to the governor of the State.
Prof. Perkins has had a meagre period in
which to secure data for his report having
received the appointment of State geolo-
gist on September last, following the
resignation of Rev. G. w. Perry from the
position on account of protracted illness
but he has performed an important work
/ for the States material interests In the
short time thus afforded. He has rot only
furnished an excellent idea of the extent
and valuable character of our mineral re-
sources, but he has also indicated the true
method of attracting general attention u
these deposits and securing their develop
ment In his predatory remarks Prof. Per-
Z kins says:
"Nermonters should realize that there
is no State In the Union which has, In
proportion to area and population, sc
great wealth and resources in beds of use
full rocks. II properly developed during the
! next ten years, the marble, slate anC
granite Industries of Vermont will sur
pass those of other States. Vermont Ii
known far and wide an agricultural
State. but We can scarcely hope 10 remain
in the front rank in this respect. Oui
manufactures are varied and important
but we cannot rival many another State
in these industries. When, however, Il
comes to the possession of vast beds Of
marble, slate and granite, and the produc
ton of stone from these deposits oul
future outlook Is most encouraging TIL,
existence of such riches being assured tn,
, first rational step toward developing ant
utilizing them Is that which leads to
knowledge of what we have and to givins
: others. those outside of the State, VIII,
have needed capital. some knowledge O
what there is awaiting their investments
I do not think that there is a State II
the Union which has greater need of
J geological survey, or which would receive
, greater benefits from It than our own
Such a survey. II properly conducted. il
really taking an inventory. an account o
stock, OF the natural resources of tn
] region examined, and believe that sucl
surveys have almost always been of yer.
great benefit to the State carrying then
on. benefit far beyond all cost to tn
State"
, Prof. Perkins proceeds to show that II
spite of the neglect from which Vermont
, mineral deposits have suffered the capita
invested In quarries was over sl2.0oo,scs =
: llss7. while the total value Of stone pro