Churches.—The strongest denomina tions in the State are the Roman Catho lic; Congregational; Methodist Episco pal; Regular Baptist, • Presby terian; Protestant Episcopal; Universa list; Freewill Baptist; and Spiritualist.
Finances.—The total receipts for the fiscal year 1919, amounted to $4,221,582, and the disbursements to $4,795,598. There was a balance at the end of the year of $507,715. The bonded indebted ness of the State in that year was $741, 531.
Railways.—The total railway mileage in 1919 was 1,080. The chief lines are the Boston & Maine, the Central Ver mont, and the Rutland railroads.
Charities and Corrections.—The in stitutions under the supervision of the State Board of Charities and Probations include the State Prison at Windsor; House of Correction at Rutland; Indus trial School at Vergennes; Soldiers' Home at Bennington; School for Feeble minded; Hospital for the Insane at Waterbury; Sanatorium at Pittsford. There are ten hospitals under the con trol of the State.
State Government.—The Governor is elected for a term of two years and re ceives a salary of $3,000 per annum. Legislative sessions are held biennially and are unlimited in length. The Leg islature has 30 members in the Senate and 246 in the House, each of whom re ceives $3.00 per day and mileage. There are 2 Representatives in Congress.
History. — The first settlement by whites was made in 1724 on the site of the present town of Brattleboro. Immi
gration began to pour in in 1760-1768, during which period the soil had been claimed as part of the New Hampshire grant; whereupon, a counter claim was put forth by the governor of New York, under virtue of the grants from Charles II. to his brother, the Duke of York. On an appeal to the English crown. jurisdiction over the new territory was decided in favor of New York. This was the precursor of an armed strife which continued for 10 years between the New York authorities and the Vermont set tlers under the leadership of Ethan Allen and others. This state of things was partially interrupted by the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. In 1777 Ver mont declared her independence, and sought admission into the National Con federation. Difficulties intervened, how ever, and it was not till 1791 that she was admitted into the Union; having previously bought off the claims of New York with the sum of $30,000. Though not at the time a member of the con federated colonies, Vermont had played a distinguished part in the war of inde pendence, and her "Green Mountain Boys" participated in some of the hard est fought battles of the war. In the War of 1812, the Vermonters added fresh laurels to their military record. During the Civil War Vermont furnished more than her quota of men, sending more than one-tenth of the whole popu lation.