The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-12-14
Railroad and Mail Facilities.

Mr. L. A. J. Lamotte, of Finksburg, enters
the controversy regarding mail and railroad
facilities He does not seem to have com
pretended the matter. A closer reading
would show him that Westminster was not the
only point interested, or spoken of, and the
chief complaint was in regard to mails.
While the matter was under discussion, a
number of persons were interviewed, and in
expressing their opinions they included the
matter of passenger train service, and the
ADVOCATE also added some remarks on this
subject.
Mr.. Lamotte questions the propriety of
newspapers, bank officers, merchants and
others criticising railroad management, but
does not hesitate, himself, to justify the man.
agement, and to eriticise those, to whom re-
liable way and through mails and quicker
trains at more seasonable hours are impor-
tant, for expressing their views. Those whose
business interests are furthered or hindered as
mail facilities and train service is sufficient or
insufficient, certainly ought to be able to
Judge what their interests demand. Accord
ing to Mr. Lamotte it is presumption for any
body bat trained railroad man to express an
opinion.
Mr.. Lamotte's sheer at Westminster and
her distinguished citizens. indicates that he
was more interested in belitting this town
than in adding some practical ideas to dis
cussion in which the people along the line OF
the Western Maryland Road are much inter
ested.
Notwithstanding Mr. Lamotte's ideas of
propriety, it is probable that the citizens OF
Westminster, and at other points on the line
of the railroad, will, when occasion arises,
let their wants be known.
Mr.. Lamotte' s conception Of railroad policy,
as he sets forth, IS to run freight, passenger
and mail trains so as to best subserve the
interests of the people, the interests of the
railroad considered. Conceding his coneep-
ton to be correct. how are railroad Officials
to ascertain whether the train service best sub
serves public interest? Ifthose whose business
is affected keep a silence, indicative Of CON
tertment, or do not presume to say how their
;nterests are served, by what means can rail
road managers ascertain if their train service
is satisfactory? If the people say nothing, the
train service will be wholly to suit the interests
of the road. It could not be otthe rwise. II
railroad officials desire to afford the best C.
commodations consistent with the financial
condition Of the Company, they should be glad
TO hear the wants Of their patrons. After
learning these wants, if be shown that the
Company cannot afford to supply the desired
facilities, impossibilities will not be expected
Exhibition Of sensitiveness on the part Of the
President and the sneers Of lesser lights, do
not meet the question.
The ADVOCATE publishes several other com
nunications today on the subject Of mail
facilities, &c, and reading Of them will
show that Westminster is not alone affected
BY the recent schedules.
While the train service is W holly in the
management Of the Western Maryland Rail
road, The Posioffee Department can remedy
the insufficient mail service, by supplying a
way mail on the regular train east. leaving
Hagerstown at al A. NJ, and Westminster
ata4Z This thu Department will be asked
to do. and the uureliabiiity Of the Fast Nail
will be shown as a reason therefor. For mail
to Baltimore and beyond. the lock pouch from
Westminster on the 9.47 train IS a great con
venienee. furnishing reliable communication
with Baltimore. but communication with in
termediate points is too uncertain and slow.