The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-04-23
A state Historian.

"A most creditable piece Of news
paper work was the illustrated four
page Morrill, supplement sent out by
The Montpelier Journal, Thursday
morning. It was certainly valuable
contribution to the Morrill, anniyer-
sary. Editor Walter Crockett is en-
titled to great credit for what was
undoubtedly his conception and quite
likely to a large extent his work.
Speaking OF a state historian. The
News doubts II a better man than Mr..
Crockett could be found; in fact II
has an idea that everything consid-
cred, he would be the most desirable
person that could be selected for that
responsible position-and the state
ought to have his services If they
can be secured.-Northfield News.
The Messenger has long been
hopeful that one OF these days Yer
monters will pause in the hustle and
activity OF more pressing practical
affairs and consider the advisability
OF making plans for the gathering up
OF the many loose ends and scattered
fragments OF the history Of the
state under the direction OF just such
a man as Mr. Crockett. From many
years of first hand experience Of Mr..
Crocketts studies and researches In
Vermont history. The Messenger
has peculiar knowledge OF his ex-
ceptional fitness for such a task.
OF course, TO some people such
proposition has only a vague senti-
mental interest, something that the
state might, perhaps indulge In as
a luxury II it had more money. But
The Messenger trusts that the gradu-
ally quickenng sense OF appreciation
OF life and its interests as something
not always and altogether TO be meas
ured by the dollar sign may ultimate
~ win for us here more generous
acknowledgement OF the states duty
10 serve in a proper guardianship Of
some OF the cultural things that help
to make life worth living at all.
And these SO called cultural thinss
are not always mere qualifications OF
aesthetic taste or a refined sentimen-
iality. They are often parts OF very
positive forces or means for practi.
cal work and practical good For one
thing, Vermont ought to spend more
money ON her state library not only
/ for the purchase OF more books and
their housing and care, but for the
institution and maintenance OF what
might be loosely termed state bu-
reau OF information in which expert
librarians. indexers. and complers
might put at the disposal Of any per
son az an hours notice an exceeding
great variety OF well prepared infor-
nation about state and local history
aud current Affairs or upon topics OF
general concern In the nation and In
/ the world The value OF n state H.
brary organized along such lines
would be appreciated by every man
In public life in Vermont while the
rank and file OF other men and wo-
men and the advanced students In
schools and colleges would learn In
time to appreciate the usefulness OF
It's great resources When the legis.
lature assembled, the opportunity for
such n bureau OF information 20 con
tribute It's stores OF garnered facts
and authorities on current public az
fairs TO the education Of committees
and dobators IN the consideration OF
important state measures. will ap
peal at once 10 the minds OF men
whose experience has shown them
the need OF that very thing.
A trained newspaper man and a
historian like Mr.. Crockett would
iind important place In such a
scheme and be peculiarly fitted Il
render important public service In
it.-St. Adams Messenger.