1940: Vermont

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood on March 3, 1791, Vermont ranks 42nd in size among the states, with an area of 9,564 sq. mi. In population it ranks 45th, having 359,231 persons according to the 1940 census, compared with 359,611 in 1930. The largest cities are Burlington, 27,626; Rutland, 17,082; and Barre, 10,909. Montpelier, the capital, has a population of 8,006.

Mineral Products.

Production of monumental granite, which constitutes Vermont's leading mineral resource, amounted in 1940 to 648,195 cu. ft., valued at $7,168,287. Marble production was worth over a million dollars. Production of slate quarries amounted to $1,948,315; talc added $250,000 to the state's mineral wealth, making a total of over $10,000,000.

Education.

The number of public elementary schools during 1939-40 was 1,200, with 45,284 pupils and 1,981 teachers. Public secondary schools numbered 92, with 581 teachers and 16,718 pupils. The number of inhabitants of school age (5-17 inclusive) was 77,000. State expenditures for public schools amounted to $937,800,65. The average teacher's salary was $982.46. Local school expenditures were $5,700,000 (1939-40). Special matters of interest in 1940 were the following: an increase in all types of vocational education offered; a shortage of teachers in vocational, special, and rural elementary fields; a decline in elementary enrollment for the third year in succession, due to the declining birth rate. High-school enrollment, however, continued to rise.

Legislation.

The Legislature held a special session in July 1940, which amended the law relative to the filling of vacancies in the office of United States Senator.

Finance.

The state bonded debt on June 30, 1940, was $8,544,031. Receipts during the fiscal year were $15,069,290. Disbursements were $16,519,923, nearly half of which were for highway purposes. Total expenditures for charities, hospitals, and correction totaled $2,738,994, of which $1,098,510 (including Federal aid) was for old-age assistance to about 5,400 persons. Payments of unemployment compensation benefits amounted to $2,211,600, for the year ending Nov. 1, 1940.

Banking.

The assets of state banks during 1940 totaled $134,626,306, and deposits $113,066,048. Only 3 banks were in receivership during the year. State bank taxes amounted to $381,016.

State Officers.

Governor, William H. Wills; Lieutenant Governor, Mortimer R. Proctor; Secretary of State, Rawson C. Myrick; State Treasurer, Thomas H. Cave; Auditor of Accounts, David Anderson; Attorney General, Alban Parker; Commissioner of Education, Ralph E. Noble.

United States Senators:

Warren R. Austin, George D. Aiken.