St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-11-08
NIisrepresents Vermont.


torial endorsing an organization of
all the friends of Vermont, including
residents and non-residents and
people of both sexes, into a New
Vermont Association, the Landmark
of White River Junction makes
statement that grossly misrepresents
conditions in Vermont. This is the
statement while the population
has remained almost stationary, and
farm values have enormously de-
creased" etc. There has been no
enormous decrease in farm values.
On the contrary there has been a ma
terial increase. According to the
United States census the value of
land and buildings of Vermont
farms has increased from $50, OIL
$40 in 1900 to SIP, 5S8,275 in 1910.
The average value of all farm proper
ty per farm in 1900 was 1920; in
1910, $4,445.
A statement to the effect that
farm values have decreased enor-
mousIy is a most mischievous one
to make at the Inauguration of
movement for GA New Vermont AS
ISOLATION" because it is untrue and
discouraging to the real friends OF
the state. There is a reason for the
increase of the value of farm lands
in Vermont Government statistics
show that it is more productive per
acre in wheat, corn, oats and hay
than the other states producing the
greatest amount of these staple
crops. These are the statements that
should be impressed upon any friends
of the state who may wish to form
progressive organization in Vermont
because it shows they have good ma
terial with which to develop agricul-
tural and business life in the state.
Vermont has the land and other re-
sources to warrant an organized eff
fort for it's development. All it needs
is a strong and persistent organlza-
ton to work for more productive
and therefore a more prosperous
and progressive Vermont.
Here is another statement
In speaking of the politicians in
this same editorial the contemporary
saws in effect that their one concern
is to keep Vermont stagnant that
they may hold all the offices. me
truth of this statement is plainly ap-
parent, and it is further true that no
state in the Union has so many once
holders in proportion to population
as has Vermont. Again is it true
that the Vermont Office holder is the
best paid article of the kind in the
country, population considered. All
this is because the political life OF
the state is controlled by a few, ana
such a condition is a dangerous one
as is shown by the states meagfe
measure of growth and development
| in the past score years.
While we would not claim that
Vermont is short of Office holders 1t
is pertinent to ask if it has any SUI
perfuous office holder. If it has,
name them. 1t must be rememered
that the tendency of the past decade
has been to put more work upon the
state. The time was when the town
had full control Of the educational
work and the highways of the state
but now the state bears a large pro
portion of the expenses of these lines
of work. There was a time also
, when there was no supervision O.
corporations by the state but nov
the state has greater control. Al
of these things have increased thu
) number of state officials and thes'
: officials are doing excellent work fo
the state.
: We dare not deny the statemen
/ ahat the Vermont Office holder is tn
best paid according to population o
: any state But we do say that n
man holding an official position i
Vermont, who is qualified to hol
S that position is drawing as niue
: compensation as he would be abb
- to receive for the same amount
l. labor in some private occupation
d may need attention and r.
u vision. The matter of Office
and compensation may nee
as attention and revision but the ma
~ who makes strong statements
those quoted above is assuming
:" weak position. Let US be fair al
candid in the charges we nal
he against conditions in Vermont al
OF what we say will have more weigh
The political control of the sta
90 should rest with the people just
al far as they will assume the burd
Il but the people should be told t
Oe truth about present conditions.
ry
Il" What's the Trouble With Taft.
"" Whatever the sentiment iowa