Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-04-17
THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

An incident occurred here few
days ago, illustrative of the improper
estimate and common mistakes peo-
pie make as to the effect of their in
dividual acts on a town or community.
The president of our Improvement
Company was asked, on behalf of
party who wished to buy and build,
the price on part of town lot pur-
chased by him few months ago. a
figure was promptly named, but the
small advance asked on what he had
given prompted the remark that he
must not have much confidence in the
success of the Company and the en-
hancement of the value of property
here. This brought the reply that in
terest in the success of the Company
and the town is the inducement to af-
ford persons desiring TO buy and i'm
prove, a chance, as the only way not
only to help, but even TO permit sue
cess. And as an evidence of conf
dence In II, an entire readiness to sell
any property owned at moderate ad-
vance, and Immediately reinvest the
proceeds in other property of our
town, now in market, and to be had
at a price that will ensure future profit.
The spirit of this answer is just what
we wish to impress upon our people
at this time, aS the proper one TO aid
progress and the true one TO promote
their own individual interests. Moth
ing will so seriously hinder develop
ment as illiberality in this respect.
The demand of an eXorbitant or UNI
reasonable price for property will not
only defeat proposed Improvement,
but in many cases drive off and pref
udice the proposed buyer against the
whole town or community. And 1t is
not ALWAYS measured by an inability
to pay Il few more dollars, but in
many cases by an utter unwillingness,
no matter how able financially, to
submit to what is regarded as an eff
fort at imposition.
The. Baltimore San of the 18th inst.
quotes and emphasizes the warning of
the Cumberland Times to the people
of that city against the folly of such
a course, and predicts it as sure, if
persisted in, to defeat the ultimate
success of all the future promise that
city now enjoys And our aim in this
article is to warn our people and TO
impress upon them in advance the re
suits of an experience that has been
oft repeated, and only fully realized
when too late to remedy.
The prudence and profit of the OPP
posite course an encouragement TO
BUYERS and a readiness to sell any
thing wanted at fair price-is equal
~ we'll illustrated We have learned
recently, in some of the rapidly grow
ing towns of the Valley, of persons
owning, buying and sci ing the same
property several times over, and each
time at a fair margin of profit. This
makes business and stimulates inn
provement and helps to build up u
town, while to refuse to sell, or to
hold at a price that is equal to refusal,
absolutely blocks and hinders pro
gress.
The decided effect of our Improve
ment Company is already manifest in
the increased inquiry and demand for
real estate in our town, and we earn-
estly impress upon our people not to
abuse or crush their opportunities 10y
an unduly selfish or greedy spirit.
Advance and Improvement in the
! town is in effect an advance Of the fl
nancial interests Of every property
| holder and business man therein. AS
a common cause, let us stand together
and cordially invite investors to come
among us, and when they come so
greet and treat them that they will
feel constrained not only to stay them
selves but to bring others also That S
the true spirit of growth, and let us
all practice it heartily.