47 



structive lectures and entertainments and a free library and 

 reading room, solely by the Cheney Brothers, shows their 

 intelligent and liberal methods of promoting the well-being 

 and content of their employe's. The hands highly appreciate 

 the liberality of their employers and feel a manifest interest in 

 their work and a pride in the place. Hence strikes and aliena- 

 tion between capital and labor are here unknown. 



The other model manufacturing village is that of the Fair- 

 banks Company at St. Johnsbury, Yermont. There is the 

 largest manufactory of scales in the world, employing in the 

 factory and branch departments elsewhere, over one thousand 

 men, and manufacturing over 60,000 scales annually, the 

 sales now amounting to over $2,000,000 a year. It has 

 long been a marvel how such a concern could be made a 

 permanent success for full fifty years in the northeast corner 

 of Yermont, so far from tide-water, with expensive freightage, 

 the items of coal and iron alone being yearly about 10,000 

 tons, with many other heavy supplies from the sea-board and 

 the necessity of transporting thither, the manufactured 

 products. Throughout New England of late the tendency of 

 manufacturers has been from the interior to the seaside. They 

 have often abandoned old sites and water privileges far inland 

 and built near the great markets, where they must run by 

 steam only. But in St. Johnsbury, notwithstanding these dis<- 

 advantages, the business has steadily grown and become a suc- 

 cess, which, in view of the difficulties overcome, is unparal- 

 leled in this country. 



What is the explanation of this marvelous prosperity ? On 

 revisiting St. Johnsbury recently, the first impressions made 

 seven years ago were confirmed. I inspected the works, talked 

 freely with the hands as well as the owners and with the citi- 

 zens of St. Johnsbury not connected with the factory. To 

 observe the home-life of the operatives, I entered their houses 

 and conversed with their families. These inquiries brought 

 out facts and inferences suggestive alike to all employers and 

 employed. 



This village, where nature has been lavish of her gifts, 

 shows the added charms of landscape art. The whole town 

 is justly proud of their beautiful soldiers' monument, their 



