Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1921-03-09
Kimball Calls on Vermont to Invest
in Herself.

Mr.. Editor:
Very appreciative indeed for the
kindness extended for the space Civ
en- in your valuable paper for my
article of several weeks ago, and es-
pecially for the favorable comment
made by your paper and other state
papers, for when sending it l antici-
pated that it would have about the
same effect as pouring water on a
ducks back. Still, / felt like ex-
pressing my views and would add
here a supplement.
1t is known to all that Vermont had
| three congressman forty years ago
and in the reapportionment after the
tenth census the state lost one men,
Der and she is now in a fair way to
lose another, and will if the reap
portionment bill passes in it's present
form, thus reducing her representa-
tion in the lower house of congress
to one member. This is deplorable,
but what is Vermont going to do
about it? Go on in the same old
way, letting her population dwindle,
her enterprises fade and her boys
and girls leave the state? In 20 or
80 years at that rate Vermont might
lose her last remaining member but
for the fact that under the constitu-
ton every state shall have at least
one member in the lower house of
congress. Vermont can but realize
with sadness that the influence of
only one member in body of nearly
$50 would be practically negligible.
But there is way out, a way to re-
gain lost ground. Vermont can and
should conserve her strength, ener-
gies, wealth and resources and use
them all to build up, improve and de-
small state can hold it's own by agri-
the larger western states of $4,000 to
100000 square miles. Such states
cah stand the loss of one or even two
congressman and yet not materially
affect her standing and influence In
congress. The agricultural products
of Vermont compare favorably acre
for acre with other states, yet that
source of wealth can be greatly aug
mented, enhanced and increased by
greater acreage and more scientific
improvements. That, however, is not
sufficient. VermOnters must have
manufacturing on a large scale to
gain i'm wealth power and population.
Look at Rhode Island with only four
counties and so small that the MEM
bers of her legislature board at home,
and yet she has three representatives
in congress. What would be her stand
ing without manufacturing indus
tries? Same may be said of other
New England states. No city of So,
600 anywhere in our country that has
her part nobly by Vermont, and it is
III, tn 10 70 hr1c nd Hn
something. l did not designate in
my last article, yet / would say here
that the National Life Insurance COM
pany of Montpelier has over $25,00O,-
10000 invested in government and
other bonds, and about $35, 5,000,000.00
on mortgages largely in the West.
Kansas, / know, is plastered over
with mortgages to the National Life.
What is there to prevent a little
home pride being injected into that
concern and others of like character
in the state, and some of the money
diverted into other channels for the
upbuilding of industries in the state ?
A half dozen enterprising men of
Barton could organize a company
no better location in the state-give
it name, incorporate for million,
have charter drawn not only to in
Cluue MISUNDERSTANDING, DuC HllillHo.
agriculture, ETC., so that it could
legally engage in any enterprise, in
terest capital, inspire confidence, sell
stock, push things and keep eternally
at it, purchase a site and erect a
plant, then begin the manufacture of
some line of articles needed by the
human family everywhere, be they of
iron. wood, cotton. wool or what not. |!
Send agents into all parts of the civil
lied world to find markets. to create
demand, and then see Barton grow
Other localities in the state can do |
the same thing. Vermont can thus
become manufacturing state of no |
small degree and get her full share of |