212 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



Mr. HiNMAN. Suppose it was to establish a manufacturing 

 business, then would it be for public use ? 



Mr. Olcott. That would depend upon what use they were 

 going to make of it, altogether. I should not question that 

 it might be a matter of public policy for the State to encour- 

 age manufactures in that way, and it might under certain 

 circumstances be of the greatest public use, but whether it 

 would be under all circumstances is a question. As I view 

 it, a broad axe is a grand tool, but in the hands of an idiot 

 it may do a great deal of mischief. I simply say, that a 

 broad axe is not a thing to put in the hands of an idiot. 



Mr. HiXMAN. I dissent entirely from the view tlie gentle- 

 man takes of the flowage law. That law was passed with the 

 idea that any manufacturing establishment, located upon any 

 of our streams, was likely to be a greater public benefit than 

 almost any other enterprise that could be started there. If 

 Mr. Olcott were asked if the little village of South Manclies- 

 ter, located in his immediate vicinity, is not of more public 

 value than the establishment of a railroad in that vicinity 

 would be, I am sure he would be compelled to say "yes." 1 

 say that to every farmer in the vicinity of Manchester, the 

 establishment of the silk manufactory there was of immense 

 value. Tlie manufactories of tlie Naugatuck valley distribute 

 upwards of eight millions yearly among their employees, as 

 wages. Mr. Olcott's idea that if tlie manufactories were not 

 there, the hills would be occupied by farmers, is all wrong. 

 They would have been depopulated years and years ago. 

 They could not begin to compete with the West to-day in 

 growing grain for export. The only things we can grow in 

 that valley arc what we can sell to those manufacturers. Put 

 us in competition with the West, and we are beaten at once. 

 That law was enacted with the direct idea that there might 

 be manufacturing villages established throughout our State, 

 and can be sustained only upon that idea. Tliat a railroad, 

 or highway, or any other improvement, may not damage a 

 particular individual, or may not hurt his feelings, I do not 

 pretend to say ; but I do say that any thing which is for the 

 general good, we should all be willing to acquiesce in. 



