The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-01
Possible County Changes

daries is not an easy matter, but
many persons will agree that some
changes in Vermont counties could
be made which would prove advan-
tageous to the people who are oblig
ed TO transact court and other coun-
ty business. There is no real need 1
of fourteen counties. Twelve would I
satisfy all practical demands and /
save the state considerable money.
Grand Isle county is too small for
the maintenance of all the machinery
Of county government. In earlier
years these island towns were isolat-
ed by their natural situation and a
county government was considered
necessary. With existing railroad
facilities Isle la Motto. North Hero,
Grand Isle and South Hero might be
annexed TO Chittenden county and
Alburgh to Franklin county without
working any hardship. Essex is
large enough in area to form a coun-
, ty but its population is considerably
less than some Of our larger towns
and cities. There seems no probable
ity Of an increase in numbers. The
people of the southern half of the
county would be better accommodate
ed in going to ST Johnsbury rather
than Guildhall for the transaction of
county business. There are only a
T handful of people in the northern
towns, too few to justify the reten-
ton of a county existence. II the
county were divided the southern
part being joined to Caledonia and
the northern portion annexed to Or
leans there would be a considerable
saving of expense without serious in
convenience. IF two sets of county
officers were abolished and the nee
essity of the maintenance Of two sets
of county buildings no longer existed
a good beginning could he made in
the reduction Of court expenses.
There are other inequalities that
need to be remedied The town of
Granville and a considerable portion
of the town of Hancock, which are a
part Of Addison county, lie on the
easterly side Of the Green mountains
If residents of Granville, who have
business in county court do not de-
sire to take a long and difficult car
riage drive over the mountains they
must take a Central Vermont train
at East Granville and proceed by rail,
by way of Montpelier and Essex juno
ton to Burlington. and thence over
the Rutland railroad to Middlebury a
distance Of eighty-five or ninety
miles II Granville were annexed to
4 Orange county the convenience of its
inhabitants would be better served.
OF course one cannot rearrange
i counties as easily as a checkerboard
is marked out. Sentimental attach
ment and long attachment are power
4 fu forces. Nevertheless, It does no
4 harm to look over the map and spec
4 ulate regarding a possible readiust
4 ment that would save travel for per.
sons doing business at county seats
n The people Of Craftsbury and Greens.
n boro In Orleans county. Hardwick
in Caledonia county and Woodbury. in
4 Washington county, could reach HYDE
Park more easily than their respec
n tive shire towns. This arrangement
a would also strengthen I.amoille
a which is one Of the smaller countie.
a of the state.
Topsham and Newburv might prom
II erlv be Joined to Caledonia county
d Williamstown, Washington and Or
b ange, to Washington county. Will,
n Orange county might be recruited b,
the annexation of Granville and Han
cock from Addison county, and tn
northern tier of towns in Windso
=. county. Windsor county. large Il
area, crossed by railroads only in III
northern and southern towns, an
with the county seat on a branch lin
at Woodstock, has less natural unit
than any other county ia the state
lt is easy to make other comhin;
tons Of towns that would appear
be an Improvement over existing COZ
diiions but the probability of any in
mediate changes are not PROMISING
It must be admitted. AT the san
time certain arrangements of cou
~ lines would be beneficial and Al
worthy OF consideration.-M ontpell,
Journal.