The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-12-17
IN PHIL1DELPHIA.
Vermont Granite and Christmas Trees
Reform in City OF Brotherly Love.
Holiday in Town.


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Editor of Daily Journal Vermont
ers resident in this city rejoice and
extend their congratulations to Yer
mont over their success in securing
the contract for furnishing the stone
for the new Capitol to be erected at
Harrisburg, which many believe will
cost from IS, 600. 600 to $40, 600.
The Woodbury. Granite Company can
we'll feel little proud without the
imputation of vanity or oonceit. But
it was merit that won. Not with
closed eyes was the decision made by
the committee having the contract in
charge, but only after having thor
oughly examined the quality of the
granite product elsewhere did it ar
rive at its conclusion, with due con-
sideration. That the magnif icent edi-
fee designed to be erected should be
Of the best only, was unanimously
agreed upon, and. therefore, quite
naturally should the order go to YER
mont. In this city, which of &C urse
leads the State, the stone which has
been used in building has not IN all
cases proved entirely satisfactory, in
that its wearing qualities were not all
that could be desired; therefore, the
necessity that new source of supply
should be sought, more according to
modern demand and requirement, pos
sessing the highest capacity for en-
durance, under climatic and othel
conditions. In Vermont's quarries
this was found, and the notable selec-
tion thus made should prove mighty
stimulus to her development in the
future along this line of her industrial
growth. 1t has put Vermont stone
in the front rank, where unquestion-
bly, it belongs, and undoubtedly gol-
den harvest may be reaped by granite
proprietors in the greatly increased
demand for stone.
This City of Brotherly Love has
been regarded by some as being rather
slow. If such has been the case the
scales are falling from beholders' eyes
and rogressiveness appears in all
affairs-social, political and CONNER
| ciai. At present the city has only
about a bakers dozen of buildings
from fifteen to twenty five stories in
height, but others are now going up
quite fast and the business section,
within a few years. will hardly rec
ognize its former self. The block to
be erected by John Wanamaker would
be distinction to any city of the
world and the area which this extern
sive department store will occupy is
simply astonishing. The old store
building is to be taken down in Sec
tions, and as section is RACED a new
section will be Immediately erected
in its place, business all the while
being conducted by the small army Of
about 5000 people in his employ.
here, alone.
Especially is the city awakening to
better things, as is shown in the po-
litioal aspect. Without hesitation
may it be said that the machine
| which has dictated affairs here for
many years has been very close Sec
ond to Tammany. The present mayor.
| John Weaver, is a man of high char
acter doing his duty fearlessly. His
desire for reform is met with harass-
ing influences from within as we'll as
without; and officers, from the high
est to the lowest degree - the rule
rather than the exception-have come
thoroughly to believe that public
office is an opportunity not to be
missed for bribery, blackmail, etc.,
for 4" make it pay" is the motto. The
police department. has been no excep-
tion to this rule. Vice has been pro-
tected, justice has been robbed. The
mayor is an object of sympathy in
his efforts to suppress city's sins
when such action is Numerically op-
posed to the gang" That reform
in some degree has been accomplished
must be admitted.
Holiday gaiety marks the approach
ing event and show windows display
varied, beautiful and costly ornament.
alton. Vermont Christmas trees are
already in evidence and carloads more
are arriving. Prices range from fifty
cents to So each. A little rise for
the price the farmer obtains from
them-about half cent apiece.
! W. L. Morse.