Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-08-30
Defunctus Est.

Defunctus Est.
For several months past John C. Lang, a
Washington real estate agent, has been in our
county in the interest of scheme which he
called the ''Southern Maryland improvement
and Development Association" The objects
of this association were to develop the resources
and to induce thrifty settlers to purchase our
lands and settle among US. All this was de-
sirable and praiseworthy, and, as presented BY
the promoter, seemed feasible aud practicable
and when once started, if conducted on bust
less principles with sufficient capital to carry
it to successful conclusion, would undoubt-
eily have resulted in much material benefit ts
our people and section. The scheme was to
establish factories and other enterprises at diff
ferent points in the county, to build towns and
10 people them and keep them in existence BY
the lsborers and employees who were to be inn
ported tor work in the new establishments. In
the present state of depression here snd through
the great and earnest desire of our people to
better their condition and advance the county,
Mr. Lang had little difficulty in securing the
interest and aid of many of out substantial cit
izpns to his scheme. He was persevering in
m inner and glib of tongue and his picture of
our future under this new order Of things Was
bright and alluring. He opened subscription
list for stock in the new enterprise, and such
men as Judge Stone, John H. Mitchell, Jno. B.
Lyon, L. A. Wilmer. Jno. G. Chapman, Pere
Wilmer. A. Posey. A. NJ. Bowling and many
others did subscribe literally to the scheme. the
thugs moved smoothly and pleasantly and
great possibilities we're expected from the ne y
association. During sll this time, however,
but little was known Of exactly how the objects
aimed at and the results promised were to be
attained There seemed to be only general
idea that the sch me was good and worthy of
encouragement. At last came the culmina-
tion On Monday meeting of the subscribers
was held at Cox's Station which was attended
by the gentlemen above named and a large
number of others of equal business capacity
and far sightedness. Mr.. Lang was on hand
with his articles of incorporation all pre.'ared
for adoption, and it looked as if something de-
finite was to come of the project which has been
so much talked about snd at which some scof |
ed and others embraced. Before the organiza-
tion of the meeting Judge Stone asked Mr. Lang
to make statement showing specifically and
clearly the obj cts and workings of the COM
pany and how the subscribers to stock therein |
we're to be secured and benefited for the money
they invested. This some~ hat nettled the pro-
moter and he spoke quite sharply to the Judge
in reply, without, however, giving the inform
alton asked for. He then produced his articles
of incorporation and asked that they be adopt
ed by the meeting. Again Judge Stone inter-
posed and said that before going further 10 the
matter he would like to be sure Of his step and
he moved that the articles rs presented be re-
ferred to q committee Of three lawyers for ex-
animation who were to report the result Of their
at a meeting to be held on Wed |
nesday next. This molten wae Indignantly
spurned by Lang, who in . heat of passionate
anger rallied severely at the Judge for his hole
some interference and vehemently stated that
the incorporation as be presented it must be
adopted then or never snc that If his methods
and schemes we're not pleasant to the Judge |
there was the door and he (,he Judge) vas at
liberty to depart. Whereupon the Judge made
q speedy exit Quiet being restored business
was again resumed when Mr.. Posey offered
motion that the articles of Incorporation be
to a committee of lawyers for amend
ments and changes, the whole to be submitted
at a future meeting Of the association TO ac-
cept or reject ths amendments suggested as
they saw 6t. This motion was strongly back
ID BY the sense Of the meeting and was certain
Iy sensible and reasonable Bu, Lang was
Without reason, and bis anger was again shown
BY expleiives and invective in which many un-
things we're said of the sss~m-
bly, in forcibls manner. He rejected the mo-
lion in scorn and anger and again declared
that now or never should the incorporation. as
be had framed it, he adopted. The meeting in
sisted upon a further investigs CATION, Lang ragged
and fumed and denied them this privilege, and
the meeting finally dispersed without accom-
pli.hing any thing whatever. Mr.. Lang stated
that he repudiated the VIII lie matter and would
shake the dust of Charles county from his 'eet
forever. And so the matter now stands except
that those gentlemen who have given thought
to the project have expressed the determin i,ioD
not to let the matter DROP but 10 hold future
meeting and endeavor to secure the objects at
tained at. Should the matter be brought to
practical basis and worked from q business
standpoint We see no reason why it should no,
be successful. Similar developments have sue
ceeded else~ here. why not here? We hope to
see the matter pushed BY those gentlemen of
energy and means who have devoted their at
tention to its practical and bene6ciai side. III
We could succeed with Mr.. Lang We N sue
ceed without him, and while we admire the
energy he has displayed in bringing the scheme
up to the point be did, we de not admire his
lack Of courtesy in refusing to give proper le-
gal light to the foundation stone Of the enter
prise-its articles of Incorporation. 1t may
not be go. bat his reticence in this matter made
it appear that he would gain some advantage
by having 1t adopted without investigation
that be did not desire to have venti ated too
early. This at least was the impression left on
the minds of many OF those who attended the
meeting.
Mr.. EdeIem Not u Candidate.
We received the following letter from Sen
ator Edelen, who is still sojourning at Allan.
tic City, on Tuesday last with the request that
it be published this week. 1t fully explains
itself.
ATLANTIC CRY, N. j., Aug. -. 1889.
Nessrs. Coz 4 Daley