Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-06-26

We have that a railroad project can be blocked
by failure to borrow money the farmer, able to
anaZe the soil in the problem of fertilization and to employ
scientific tests in wedding out improbable cows from his
dairy may not be able his skill in Vermont towns
without credit that the development Of hundreds of possible
water hill towns demands capital as well as ex
pert knowledge and ability.
The question then presents ITSELF What tendencies are
be overcome? ?"
When we commend the joint of the educated young
and the missionary capitalist in these fields the prob
lem arises once, "Iow will these missionaries be
ceved2 The history of missionary enterprises shows that
emmssares of gospel accepted with open
well receptive hearts Some received coldly
while others roasted made the chief ingredient Of
cannibaistic consomme.
We are thus confronted with the practical thought that
while considering missionary work in behalf of
struggling towns in Vermont those communities are never
to forget the adages patriotism begins at home and God
helps those help themselves We may seek to
age capital promote development in those towns but they
must not convert the missionary into soup.
Let put this proposition in the most practical form
by saying that which the assessors
deliberately violated the law by putting property in the list
rdcuouy low rates of appraisal while the of taxa
ton raised distressingy high figure. These
legisating capital out of their borders.
In adopting this shortsigh(ed two motives have
predomnated To make the State of that town based
its grand list small possible and to force the rich
resident who loans money the largest possible proper
ton of the taxes.
These conspiring individuals then wonder why men of
wealth shake the dust of those communities from their feet
why their towns poorer; why young and young
seek other clmes why it becomes difficult
for themselves to borrow money In like this many
town has only itself to blame for its poor credit and the
phanthropst will not be able to aid such communities until
they agree not to eat the missionaries
The tax rate is the barometer of towns total of
wisdom and prosperity and those who manipulate may
ignoranty display false storm signal that will both
young and capital.
Another tendency to be in the problem of
curing ready credit for the struggling Vermont town
may result in part from shortsghted policies the part of
the town itself although is characteristic to greater
less degree of all communities Men, and especially
who hold estates of deceased husbands in host of instances
coming and to dread the trouble of oanng to
individuals They feel they lack the knowledge to make
curty good; they fear legal technicaities.
On the other hand under present laws they put
their money in savings institutions and receive interest of
four per free from taxation and know that they
absolutely safe. 1t is not surprising that both and
women adopt this
1t thus becomes evident there many sides to this
problem of credits for the struggling Vermont town. We have
that need the thorough young farmer to take hold
of the soil problem. We need the engineer who spy
the land and locate water power plants that will start
wheels of industry in towns within of miles
and furnish markets for the increased farm products We
need the missionary student We need the patriotic capitalist
We need and the towns themselves who will be
equally patriotic and cooperate in the efforts made to i'm
prove the whole situation.
What tasmanic influence will to bring about the
union of all these forces? Who shall the magic wand
Of renewed life Vermonts hills and vaeys To whom
will be permitted to strike rugged rocks and the
waters of prosperity to leap forth?
The preacher of the gospel Of the truth concerning YER
mont we'll the gospel Of strength and consequent hope
We know in hearts that the goods of the hills have
given water end manifold possibilities of electric
transmission every direction that the goods of the prai
res have denied the former rivals of ters of the SOIL
We know in our hearts that the goods Of hills have
given combination of climate and soil and of that
makes this veritabe Eden for apples and that of
still treat this unlimited of wealth for every struggling
town in Vermont forbidden fruit
We know in hearts that hills abound marble
and granite and slate and asbestos have soil that in
spite of abuse and neglect and many instances actual
walton, remains the chief asset of commonwealth and
that have only to do better part TO make many
porarly decadent town in loved Green Mountain State
blossom as the rose
We know in hearts that in the of mag
ncen mountain and valley scenery and in the waters
sandstudded lakes have irresistible destinations for
and of wealth searching for nvigoratng summer
homes and Turing pleasure grounds and that have only
give proper to the golden goose the tide
tourist travel to green hills.
We know well to-day future generations will know