The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24
NEWTOWN'S STAGNATION.

MIR. EDIToR-I have Iesn deeply In
terested reader of the several communi-
cations relating to tie business interest
has been 50 suddenly dropped and the In
ference drawn by many residents them
selves that Newtown is beyond the hope
of Il resurrection, so far as business inter-
ests are at stake. Now, Sir, l, for one
honestly depr"ciate the spirit that some
have shown toward this laudable move
ment, and unheaitatingly say that no
nlan can truly say that the people Of this
town cannot and will not appreciate a
good move Tor their interest. Nor can it
be truthfully said that they are SO money
haruened that they will not suffer their
dollars to be invested for the building up
Of the town, prefcrring rather to invest
out OF town and draw large interests. 1t
is true that mon of means, yea, even
ladies, have money invested out OF town
which pays a handsome return, and why?
Because there is nothing in the town that
calls for their money. Again, the idea OF
Stating Il manufacturing business is Il
new one, and 1t takes time to consider
many important elements OF successfully
carrying out large investment especial
ly a business that requires the introduce
ton of u hundred families, the members
OF which are pres umed to be skilled artI-
zans. One serious difficulty presents it.
self TO the thinking capitalist, and to the
ordinary good citizen, and it is this
Suppose thirty or forty thousand dollars
be raised to start a mannfactory; the
mill, machinery and material at hand,
the next in ORDER is WOrkmen competent
to put in motion this capital, granting
that they could be obtained without trOu-
bic, l ask where will you put these work
men and their families? Where are the
houses IL lie had, admitting that pOr
ton could be accommodated by tucking
up and sub-Ietting. Still there would not
be homes enough for all, aud until homes
were provided it would be useless to talk
about working without sufficient help.
Again the introduction Of large number
of strangers would excite enquiry as to
the expectancy OF inviting an unknown
element into the community. Granting
that in regard to good manners and citi-
ZeIship they would prove the equal OF the
most respectable in town, still it does not
appear 80 At first, and can only be tested
by time and observation. These points
are important, and may in IL measure ac-
count for the seeming Indifference of
=
[ believe that there are men enough
willing to enlhark in any enterprise that
will pay, and be II benefit to NeWtown
provided that the proposition is presented
in shape that SaNOrs OF business. Let
/ us illustrate: Suppose all individual. or
say two persons, strangers, visit Now
town, and after q careful survey OF the
| land and water facilities and privileges,
makes known the fact that they desire to
| START good paying business, but their
capital amounts to only one third of the
sum necessary to put the business into
| operation. l ask, how long would it take
to convince four citizens of the town,
each having five thousand dollars, that
the two strangers meant business; and ii
two such men ever appears in Newtown,
no sane man need fear OF the business
men of the town folding their arms anG
turning IL deaf ear to entrcaties made.
not only for their own interest, but that
! of the town.
Mr.. Editor, it is asking too much Of
! Eastern capital to take all the risks anC
do all the business. In the West, where
people are eager TO start manufactures
! it would pay to take the risk. l NEAL nc
disreopect to those who were recently il
| this town endeavoring to start ia 3tory
when I say that the failure to accomplish
tho desired end rested not with the CAPT
talist but with those who had all to gain
and nothing to loose.
l regret Mr.. Editor, for tresspassine
upon your columns to so great an extent
and you will pardon me for 20 doing
when 1 say that my only purpose was t
correct, if possible, the unjust and errone
Gus Impressions that has gone out to the
world that Newtown has no enterprise
within its borders.
Before closing I wish to express my ad
miratioG for your excellent paper
which is to-day II living monument Of The
| people of this town. it is an evidence OF
their enterprise aud appreciations OF thai
which helps to build up her interests anc
! gives her u name for enterprise among
! her sister towns. I sincerely trust thai
with the dawn Of 1880, NewCown will have
| put on the garments Of activity.
Yours, etc, PROGRESS.