Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-07-26

Tue WATER QUESTION AT THE SrRNGs.-
The proprietors of the Springs have, very
wisely we think, reoonsidered the matter Of
charging every visitor, not citizen Of the
county, and not stopping at their hotel, five
dollars for the use Of the waters Orders
have been given to this effect, and the notices
have been removed, hence, in the future, the
public are to have the use of the waters free
Of all charge. The policy of charging was
| certainly one Of the most shortsigthed that
could have been suggested. It was virtually
denying the right Of others to make proyi-
sions to entertain visitors, as the right to
charge five dollars implied the right to charge
fifty, or the right to prohibit entirely. This
is direct inference, although the intention
may be denied at present,-it is proper to sup
| pose that the discriminationin in favor of their
own boarders was meant to affect the other
houses, and further if this discrimination
would not have been sufficient, they could at
any time increase the charges until they could
monopolize the entire business, and cut the
whole number of visitors down to those who
would be willing to stop with them. Not only
this; the visitors to a private family, say a
relative living out Of the county, spending a
1 few days here, under this regulation, if he
/ desired to take draught OF our health-in-
! spring waters, would have to thrust his hand
/ into his pocket to the extent Of the tax, be-
fore he could enjoy the luxury. Thus it was
not only discrimination against those who
desire to entertain strangers for pecuniary
gain, but discrimination against every head
of family in the town.
There is no denying the fact that there are
any number Of persons who could not be in
duced to stop at the Springs from any con
sideration, if they had the remotest idea that
they were not better conducted than they have
been for the last few years, yet they desire
to avail themselves of the pleasant resort.
! They are willing to pay for their baths, the
use Of the billiard and bowling saloons, the
/ refreshments they consume while there, and
the money thus received is just so much clear
| gain, because all the money from this source
/ would not be received if the hotels and
boarding houses were closed or shut of.
Bedford should be full if no other place in
the country is. Nothing but enterprise is
wanting to make it the greatest resort on the
continent. Put the Springs in the hands Of
national ch aracters, like the Lelands, and in
/ stead of hundreds we will have thousands Of
! visitors every season. In the hands of such
parties the present proprietors could realize
| a larger per centage by leasing them than by
/ keeping them themselves. The Saratoga
/ Springs are owned by parties who have no
interest in the hotels, this should be the case
here, and we have no doubtit wouldprove fully
as profitable to the proprietors as it does now.
We DO not, of course, look at this matter
from the standpoint of the proprietors, but
from the standpoint of the public, in whose
behalf we speak. The larger the number of
I visitors, the better it will be for the commu-
nifty Immediately around us, and just 50 much
sooner win we have railroad facilities to the
/ different points east aud west.
4 In conclusion, we are informed by the
boarders at the Springs, that they have never
known them to be as well conducted as they
have been up to this time this season. There
appears to be entire satisfaction. The table,
which has heretofore been the great source OF
( complaint, is well provided, and receives the
praise of all that we have heard speak Of it.