Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-12-24
"cREATeR VERMONT"

I IN anu 10 cMlgTate lTOns we pTescflDs
careful reading of the current issu,
of Col. Forbes Vermonter Greater
Vermont" is its feature. The subject
is handled in series OF articles con,
tributed by representative men who
know of that which they write. A
reading of the volume, from cover to
cover, ads. and all, will prove profit
able for those even best acquainted
with the state, few OF whom fully
appreciate the great strides our little
commonwealth has taken in material
progress during the past decade. This
magazine number may well claim a
place in every library as work OF
history and reference covering the re-
cent past.
As preface, that sterling young
Vermonter, Hon. j A. DeBoer, presi-
dent of the National Life Insurance
company, ofMontpelier, sketches in a
general way what is making for the
New Vermont and presents many
admirable suggestions for further
advancement. His views are broad
and tolerant, modern and businesslike.
He writes incisively, impressively.
His article fittingly introduces what
follows.
We learn from the contribution of
State Geologist Perkins on Mineral
Resources" something of the recent
astonishing growth in the quarrying
and manufacture of stone that has
brought Vermont second only to
Pennsylvania among the states OF the
Union. She leads in marble, pro-
ducing more than all the rest OF the
country, is second in slate and second,
II not first, in granite. The expansion
in granite production within the past
few years amounts to veritable
boom, and has apparently but just
begun. To her mineral development
Vermont will look largely in coming
years for her industrial growth.
State Treasurer Bacon gives the
cheering information that Vermont is
practically free from debt and that her
expenses are nearly met by the reve.
nues OF the so-called corporation taxes,
without recourse to the burdensome
direct tax.
Vermont has / 1850 miles of railroad
track, generally well constructed aud
kept up to modern standard. The
systems are well equipped for the
heavy business handled Receipts
have increased largely in the past
decade and the companies are de-
scribed as prosperous.
A word is given to general manufac-
turing industries, in which there was
invested in 1900 S4s, 547 1854, or SIG.
100000 more than ten years before
These industries are diverse and
largely accessory to the states natural
productions of raw materials.
Vermont's many mountain streams
give unequalled water power. Much
OF this is now utilized in providing
motive power for electric lighting and
electric railway systems. No less than
Y cities and villages are lighted by
Eight OF these own and
operate their plants, the others are
by private capital. A table
gives valuable information concerning {
all these systems. Vermont had no
electric railways in 1892; now she has
ten, with total mileage OF 100 miles.
Some of these are street lines, others
connect towns or feed the main steam
lines.
As an indication OF the states grow
Ing wealth, it is shown that within
twenty years savings bank deposits !
have increased from Sl4,0j0,647 TO Ii
s44'62s,l4S. Most of this gain came {
In the last ten years. Yermonters are
thrifty. Other statistics show a great
Increase in the number of depositors.
The national banks, too, have more
than held their own. during this !
period. l
Editor Greene of the st. Adams
Messenger says a good word for the /,
latter-day influence of the press in
the New Vermont.
There are now 10 daily and "a weekly |
newspapers in the state.
Superintendent Ranger chronicles
the notable improvements in the states
school system aud in individual
schools and colleges. II
In thirteen years the public libraries
In Vermont have increased in number
from 45 to l54, and many of them are
endowed and provided with handsome
edifices.