The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-09-23
OUR "ACRES OF DIAMONDS"

One VI lue luOSJ lulcltStlhb anu
inspiring of the addresses delivered
by Rev. Russell H. Conwell, that
prince of lecturers, is entitled Acres
of Diamonds" and points out how
men and women every day and every
where, overlook the opportunities at
their own doors, and go wandering
the wide world over, seeking an elu-
sive fortune. Not all of us can be
millionaires, not all of us know how
to get money, or to keep it, but more
of us could increase our stock of this
worlds goods if we gave greater at
tention to developing the opportuni-
ties near home. There are splendid
chances right here in Montpelier and
in Vermont, yet we continue to pat
ronize get rich Quick" schemes, to
buy cheap mining stocks and city
lots in regions of which we know
nothing. If we could know the sum
of money in the aggregate that Ver-
mont has sent into the West in the
last twenty-five or thirty years, to
say nothing of the Vermont brains
we have contributed to the develop
ment of that region, the report would
be astounding.
The law of supply and demand Is
the foundation for all trade, and is
as old as the human race. Probably
we need today in Montpelier, at
conservative estimate, 100 houses
that will rent at prices ranging from
SIS to $50 a month. People who are
compelled to come here suffer the
greatest inconvenience in obtaining
roofs to shelter them. Commercial
travellers, who find Montpelier
desirable location for homes, are
unable to find houses. And yet we
buster Montpelier, and are not able
today to take. care of the population
we have. Here is a perfectly safe
and legitimate field for investment,
where the demand far outruns the
supply.
There is in this vicinity an excel
lent slate quarry accessible from
two lines of railway, awaiting a
transformation into a scene of pro-
fitable activity.
The Cross State railway project
means great things for the devel-
opment of Montpelier and other sec
lions of the State. 1t would open up
the Mad River and Rochester val
leys, give new and shorter route
from New York to the White Noun
tain region, and bring this city into
closer touch with the west side of
the State. This route might be ex-
tended through Hardwick to New
port, thus affording an opportunity
for further development of a rich
section of Vermont
Although Vermont leads in marble
and granite hardly a beginning has
been made in uncovering the treas
Green Mountains.
The same intelligence and scien-
tific knowledge that are applied to
business problems will make agricul-
ture profitable in Vermont The
same methods employed in apple
growing will make many a barren
hillside a revenue producer, and will
make Vermont apples the standard
for the world. Intelligent and per-
sistent effort will bring to the hills
and valleys of this State thousands
of summer tourists every year, who
will leave more money in the peck
cts of Vermonters than almost any
other one industry that can be devel
oped. There are millions of money
to be spent every summer for rec
reation. Vermont has the greatest
diversity of attractions of any State
in the East Our task is to bring the
tourist and the scenery together
and to provide the necessary com.
forts for the visitor. The tourist
crop is one that never impoverishes
the soil.
A deep water route from the Hud
son River to the st. Lawrence, BY
which some of the commerce of thu
Great Lakes may be carried to tn,
seaboard by way of Lake Champlair
is no idle dream. 1t is, on the con
trary, very feasible idea. Many mil
: lions of dollars are being spent IL
the deepening of the Champlail
Canal, connecting the Hudson witt
Lake Champlain. If the Chambl,
Canal can be deepened and compar
y atively short waterway dug from tn
5 Richelieu to Montreal, a cheap an,
: easy route will be furnished for al
: immense volume Of freight traffic
q Moreover, one of the great pleasur
q routes Of America will be establish
q ed for yachts and motor boats be
e tween New York City and Montrea
rs 1t is even limited that a regular lin
"a of steamers may be established be
IL tween those cities. While this woul
n more directly aid the Champlain va
IS ley it would help the whole State in
l. directly.
=. 1t is easy to sheer at these pre-
~ jects, and call them visionary, but til