Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-10-20

relative, which Vermont mas ever
made in population in n single decaoe
was between 1890 and 1900, when IL
gained G9.o4o inhabitants.
The sturdy mountain commonwealth
has few cities and has been SLOW 10
develop manufacturing. II Is an a3ri-
cultural region, withou great wealth.
but also without power ~ It's people
are prosperous and contcnted with the
conditions under which they live. Lack
of expansion in population mas nov
meant decay or retrogression. 1t has
simply signined that the state has
lain outside the path OF industrial
progress and has gone along In Its
own way dealing with conditions Of
life which have not changed greatly
since the early years OF the republic.
Vermont is threatened with no loss
of political power under next years
federal rcapportionment. 1t has two
representatives. one seat being allot-
ted for a major fraction of ratio
amounting to 51.459. only Area short
Of the fun ratio. Even If the ratio of
representation Is increased from 1874
1879 to 215,000, Vermont, with 355. 0j6
Inhabitants, will still havo ono ratio
and a safe major fraction. The state
has had two representatives since
1880. IT had three between 1850 and
1850. four between 1910 and 1880. five
between 1920 and 1910, six between
1910 and 1920. four between 1900 and
1910 ana two under the Genus of 1890.
In political power. therefore, It has
simply returned Of late TO its original
estate.
The Springfield Republican, which
can never overlook Vormont's politics
saws:
Vermont proves to have increased
| in population during the past ton
| ycars-contrary to reports sent on
some weeks ago rurportng to fore
cast the census result. But the in
crease is only 80 per cont. md this
follows upon an increase Of only "a
per cent. In the previous decade. Yer
| mont should do better than this. and
1t doubtless will If eyer the time comes
when trade with a region naturally
tributary across the northern border
| is made more free.
showing made by Vermont as fol
lows:
Vermont is not growing rapidly in
population, but It is not standing still
| by any means. Notwithstanding tho
drain represented by emigration to
other quarters. \ good deal of the
sturdy manhood of Vermont has gone
to tho building up of other sections.
But there are many indications that a
new era of manufacturing and agri-
cultural development is AZ hand. If not
actually begun. Vermont has numer-
Gus sources Of natural wealth. and tho
prospect is good for turning them %
| profitable account
| The Malone Telegram looks ut the
! situation from still another point OF
view. as follows:
According to the census report pub
lished on our second page, Vermont
does not seem to have grown very
| much during the last ten years. In
fact, it seemed to be nip and tuck with
the old Green Mountain State 20 hold
her own. still in the quality of her
| citizenship you will have to travel
some ways TO find state that com
pares favorably with Vermont.
Many Of our cities ana certain
States. whose growth is the result Of
the immigration OF undesirable mon
| and women. who come to our shores
inoculatcd with anarchy and with
| all the diseases of both mind ana
body known to the old world. have
very little to recommend thcm as n
place Of residence. Vermonters can
amount OF complacency and he con-
tent with the mcaRre growth allotted
to their state by the census man.
The editorials quoted afford oui
re- aders fairly accurate view of tho
manner in which the outside press ii
general regards tho census situation
in Vermont, and it must be conceded
that the consensus of opinion has foi
us various grounds OF ecouragement
With the available lands # the West
taken up and with the consequent
turning of populatl on to New Eng
land; with the development of Own
natural resources through improve
methods of agriculture and the eX
ploitation of our large and valua l.
mineral deposits; with tile certainty
opportunities as a resort Tor the sum
mer tourist and the summon resident
there are abundant reasons for hope
fulncss that the close Of the mex dec
ade will have a different story to tel
for the growth and development Of thu
Green Mountain state.