Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-12-06

IL Michigan members are reelected, and
In number of other states there are
only one or two changes. Generally
speaking, the very strong Republican
states of the North and the solid Demo-
cratic states of the South have returned
their old representatives. But changes
are more numerous In the states where
parties are somewhat evenly divided.
Thus, New York's delegation of "a
containes II men who did not sit In the
last congress, and there are new men,
bers from Ohio in total delegation of q.
Illinois has new members in total
of %, and Pennsylvania s or in
delegation of 30--Review of Reviews.
5000
THRIFTY vERMONTERs.
The savings banks of Vermont are
tower of strength. They are the natural
development of the thrift and economy of
our people, and, on the other hand, our
people would not be as thrifty and eco
nomical as they are If they had not had
these banks to help them. Many pros
porous Vermonter began as poor boy,
dropping his dimes and dollars into the
savings bank; and later in life, when he
had saved enough in this way to make
him a property holder, borrowed from
the same bank the additional amount
needed to enable him to buy the home.
He can point to the savings bank and say
that that explains his success.
Our savings banks are absolutely
mutual. The little savings of the many
make millions when put together. These
millions are lent as safely as possible,
the profits are divided among the de-
positors, and that's all there is to it.
Such an institution is conservatism itself.
One cannot easily reckon its value as a
social factor. 1t deserves large en-
couragement-and it has had it,
The savings banks of Vermont, ac-
cording to the Just published report of
the State Inspector Of Finance, F. S. Platt
of Poultney, have 40,209,059 in deposits
which is nearly two million dollars
more than in 1900 and S3,G00,O00 more
than in 1899. Ten years ago (lS91) the
deposits were S2l 500, 303, so that in ten
years we have gained nineteen million
dollars. Vermont hasn't grown that
much richer, probably, for this enormous
increase is no doubt largely due to the
failure of the great West as a borrower;
but still to large extent the increase in
deposits marks an increase in the wealth
of our people.
The depOsitors would make a large
army, for they number l23, l27, or nearly
five thousand more than last year. Of
these. II, ljG are nonresidents, who are
trusting us with Sc, 7G9 ,5l4 of this money.
There was paid odt in dividends to de-
postors during the year the handsome
amount of 81 ,2242l0. The average am
cunt to the credit of each depositor is
/ $32G showing conclusvely that the
patrons of the banks are the wage-earners
and the toiers.
These are big figures. They represent
a solid basis of security for the condition
of our people. When a community can
make such showing as this, it is safe
against everything but a general cat
aclysm; it is anchored by the thrift of its
individual ctizens.-Burlingto News.
1000
THE COUNTRY BOY.
No boy need ever regret that ne was
born in the country and reared on farm.
He may lack the keenness of his city
cousin. He may be embarrassed by his
own awkwardness and feel that he is at
hopeless disadvantage in the race but
the country boy has the advantage of a
wider range Of practical ideas. From the
very first his little services are in demand.
He becomes at once part of the force
that is making for home comfort and
prosperity and feels the independence of
one who is helping to support himself
and add to the general store.
The country boy is likely to regard his
life MS one of drudgery, and such it may
be if he loses interest in his surroundings
or is pressed with continued round of
duty.
There is something heroic in the coun-
try boys struggle with the elements.
Rain and snow and sleet only brace his
courage. The garnerng Of the crops,
the housing and feeding of the domestic
animals, the gathering and preparation
of the winter fuel, give a purpose and
zest to his toll.
Then there is the long tramp some
times of miles, to the district school :;
lessons learned before and after long
hours of labor. Is 1t any wonder there
are keen wits developing all outside Of
graded systems and in defiance of ped
agogical order? It's the intensity of pur-
pose with which the mind acts under the
influence of vigorous health and the con-
scious value of time that accounts for
these results. So from the farms Is
being supplied a stream of active word
workers-men not afraid TO do their duty
ard bubbling over with energy and am
bition.
From the little red school houses come
into our colleges and schools of higher
grade aspiring youth. Some are seeking
an education as means of emancipation
from the drudgery of labor. Others
come with true thirst for knowledge.
They find their way into the professions