The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-11-21
For the Democratic Advocate
Westminster AS 1t Is.

Westminster AS Tt Is.
1t is needless TO say that Westminster is to-
day where it should have been so years ago;
or, rather, it is fifty years behind the age.
At the date alluded to the Introduction of
water into the town was not considered ne
cessity; paving the streets was regarded as
superhuous; gas was not discussed. People
at that time paid more attention to money
getting than to the creature comforts of life.
There are many evidences OF this fact in our
town to-day. A number who are favored with
an abundance of this worlds goods can sub
stantiate this fact. Yet, as a people or Il
town, where are we o-day? A partial supply
of water has, by a system, been introduced
into the town. This is due to the fire of 1888
and to the energy and good judgment OF Col.
w. w. Taylor, who convinced the people that
shifting the rock on Nitten's hill would not
water the town. gas company was formed
and managed as well as they usually are in
small places but not without its defects. We
are now without its use to guide US at night
through the streets We are destitute of good
sidewalks and driveways. The street cross
ings are being improved, but we have no
light on the street by which we can fad them.
Why is all this? Is this state of things to be
continued? Is there no relief? Some weeks
since the corporate authorities stated IN cir
cular lin effect that the corporate debt was
So 900, and the tax rate inadequate to pay it,
and informed the citizens that if they did not
make some arrangement to meet the emer-
gency the gas would be shut off, work on the
streets stopped, &C. An article appeared in
the ADVOCATE soon after this crticisng the
municipal government 1t contained rehec-
tons not at all pertinent to the question. The
threat of the city fathers was executed-gas
cut off from street lamps and work on the
streets stopped.
We have been informed that the town debt
is over $1,000. How, when, and by what
authority has that debt been contracted
Who is responsible for it? 1t is said it has
been accommodating for ten years. That fact
still brings no relief. Does the charter not
limit the tax levy to 10 cents on the 500? If
so, how can money in excess of this amount
be used for the municipal government? By
what authority could the council and mayor,
who are entrusted with this matter as the ex-
ecutives of the people, use any money beyond
what they are restricted to? Are they not
bound by oath to collect this per cent. levy,
with the per cent. water tax in addition,
and apply it to the purpose of each year as
| assessed?
1t is likely the citizens would ask for i'm
provements beyond this amount Duty re-
quires, when the treasury is exhausted, that
there must be stern denial and that no more
at that time can be done As the potoeJ to
Iery is restricted, so the poaoer to erpend must,
as matter of course, be restricted.
How can debt contracted under the cir
cumstances alluded to be binding upon the
corporation. The mayor and council will
assure you they cannot create a bonded in
debtedness. What power, then, have they to
create floating indebtedness? a debt is
debt. Their powers are ministerial. They
are required to execute the provisions of the
charter. If the charter is inadequate for the
purpose, then it is in the power of the people
by petition to have it altered, amended or re-
newed. They should lose no time, upon the
assembling of the Legislature, to have our
county representatives attend to this matter.
Is it not more important for the present coun-
ell to address themselves to the task of using
the present levy for lighting the streets and
improving them? If they contracted no part
of the So 900 debt they should not be held
responsible for it. Itseems to us, then, there
can be no possible excuse for the couditonin
which this town is now placed by the city
fathers. Their term OF Office (since May has
been too short for them to have contracted
this debt, so how can they be held responsible
for it? 1t is their duty to give us light and
to use portion of the years levy in putting
the streets and crossings in passable condition.
We are not a carper, nor do we belong to
''the old fogy anti-improvement party" We
voted for the paving bill, and sincerely regret
that it has not ere 4this resulted in something
practical. We believe the tax rate is ridicu-
lousy low, and would vote tomorrow to at
least double it, as means of making our
town more attractive. Unless we do we re-
tard improvement, lock in the capital already
here, and effectually lock capital ont. Where
will you find a town of this size, north or
/ Al lou to- nto o,,,,
show us one we will show you a slow place.
We feel some pride in Westminster, and want
to see it grow, improve and become attractive.
This can easily have been done without u
bonded Indebtedness, as follows: Obtain n
new charter; levy a tax of 30 cents on the
500; apply the fines imposed in the corporate
| limits of the town to the improvement of the
place; get an act of Legislature granting the
privilege Of using Westminster proportion
! of road levy within her corporate limits; adopt
license system, by which every one engaged
in public business would pay in proportion to
business done. By these methods being
adopted $4,000 or 81, GOO could beused yearly
II improving the town. Use $4,000 per year
for or years. and Westminster would oc-
cupy the position she is entitled to. Do tais,
make good sidewalks and good driving ways,
and our town would put on a new dress, and
attract floating population and capital The
longer this action is postponed the worse the
predicament. 1t will ultimately have to be
met as indicated above. Let the people di-
rectly interested in the matter meet at the
Court House and discuss affairs. and if
anything better can be devised adoptit. Every
citizen of the county should feel some pride
in his county town, and any opposition to the
movement suggested would be the result of
direct fragrant selGshness. A just pride for
the future of the town is the only motive that
prompted the writing of this article.
PROGRESS.