 As part of resolving the crisis, Barstow required that the mine owners pay their workers, which earned him favorable publicity nationwide.The resolution of the Legislature of 1884, requesting the Vermont delegation in Congress to use their best efforts to secure the passage of the interstate commerce law, was passed in pursuance of Governor Barstow's recommendation.At the close of his administration the Rutland Herald expressed the general opinion of his constituents that "he had been as careful, independent, able and efficient a ruler as Vermont had enjoyed for twenty years."