Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1878-08-03
Our Water Works-Reply TO the
Letter of the President.
FEosTBURG, July 3lst, 1878.

tR0STBURG, July o1st, 1919.
Mr.. Editor In dealing with the
affairs of corporations it frequently
occurs that persons are brought into
controversial antagonism with their
best friends, and did they allow them
selves to be influenced by considera
tons of personal regard only they
would be induced to forgo the discus
sion. This is especially a case in
point, and did not the subject in ques-
ton involve SO much of the peoples
interest and welfare, the writer is free
to confess that he would not now be
| pennlng vnls artlcle.
The only objection we have to urge
to the letter of the President is to
that part wherein fault is found with
the amiabjhty Of our temper and the
want of some other cardinal virtues
upon which our sensitiveness Is quite
equal to our vulnerability. IN the
few instances its author has seen prop
err to controvert the allegations Of our
previous letter on this subject, we
will endeavor to prove them by the
logic Of facts
In the first place, then as regards
the election having been held within
the time required by their charter,
it is claimed by the President
that it was, and he farther says that
the error in the notice Of election was
corrected by Mr., Keller "to cores
pond with the day" True, as the
writer knows, for it was he who called
the gentleman's attention to the mis-
take Just tho days before tie time it is
said the election wa8 held. If it had
been but two hours or two minutes be-
fore, | presume it would have been
quite sufficient. And / can not help
but remark here, thGt If IN 50 v1taJ q
matter and one absolutely essential to
the existence Of the company, such neg
hgence should occur, what may not be
| the looseness of the entire transactions
OF the concern Besides he does
not say that Mr.. Keller altered the
date in any other notices, and the just
inference is there we've no others.
And further, he does not deny the
charge that the notice, and the only
one, was put upon post not usually
used for that purpose IN Mr.. keller's
store, and half hid as it was by the
brushes and tincups that hung around
it. And this, forsooth, is a comph-
ance with the requirements OF the law
relating thereto. He further says
that 500 shares of stock, more than
| three ourths of the whole amount,
were represented. Granted. But
what of that? There is no power in
the Whole mum Der OF shares to cure
the aforesaid failure to comply with
the charter as regards the time and
manner Of holding an election. And
we may be permitted 10 remark that
Just here lies the chief danger to the
peoples lnterests-a few lndlVld-
uals will absorb a controlling amount
of stock, often purchasing it at a
nominal price, constitute q board
TO suit then who viii leave every
thing in their hands and who after
wards manage the affairs Of the con-
Germ regardless OF law and. with the
absolutism obaracterlzlng the manage
ment of their own private property,
and without accounting for their stew
ardship to anybody. Holding future
elections, then, requiring or giving
bonds, keeping books, or making any
periodical statements Of accounts, al
| though required by the law to be
| done, all come to be mere trihes and
are complacently Ignored. But amid
tAis lsxity Of management and absence