Connecticut western news., 1891-02-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A PLEA FOR EXCURSIONS. Editor of Nears

A PLEA FOR EXCURSIONS
 Editor of Ne,rs:
 After the sensible remarks of "K" on the subject of excursions, hoped you would find some worthier subject to engage your facile pen and let this matter drop; but my hope proved vain one, and I wish to say few words.
 Several years ago there was young man in this county, who. at 20 J ears of age, had never seen city or looked upon the great ocean. For many years he had 1onged to see these things, but the state of his finances was such that he could not afford to spare the amount of money necessary to do so. But one day the railroad gave notice of an excur- sion to New Haven, tickets good for three days, and the young man said, Now Is my chance" He went, and for three days his eyes were filled with new and delightful scenes, and he came back with his pockets filled with trink cts he could not buy at home, blessing the railroad company for the pleasure he had enjoyed, and he went to work upon the old farm again, feeling that no longer he dwelt in "pent up Utica, |, world and that life was now worth living. A few years later another excur- sion took him aboard and for week he reveled among the glories of the Centen nisl at Philadelphia, and came home with some souvenirs of that eventful trip to remind him, as often as he saw them, of the happy time he had there experienced. And now, just as he is looking in joyful anticipation to the Worlds Fair at Chicago. and hoping that the reduced rates upon the railroads will enable hlm to see that mighty cele. bration, and some of the wonders of the great West, of which he has heard so much, and friends living there whom he has not seen in many long year, the Editor, that genial man whom we had always supposed was the champion of justlce to all, steps in and says, "No. these excursions must be stopped !" and the poor man feels as if his best friend had deserted him. and he goes about with sad face, and sadder heart, for money is scarce with him and railroad rates are high and he must plod and plod and no longer may he look forward to 8 pleasant trip down the Sound to see the wonders of the metro polls, or sniff the sea air and take a plunge into the briny wave at Rocka- way, for these excursions must be stop ped ! And why? Because people buy things in the city which they could buy at home, thus injuring the merchants and taking money from the town. But, M. CS.<o~ u,hok laoo # mo D a whether bny an article in the city, or of my merchant who goes to the city and buys 1t for me Does not the money go to the city in either case Only in one case the commission goes into the merchants pocket. and in the other 1t remains in my own, which. 1t seems to me, is just as we'll. And if money should be kept in our towns, why do merchants advertise in your paper Is it not their object to attract customers from out oe toern? This IS all wrong, and you should reprove them and refuse their advertisements.
 How long ago is it that in your paper, I think, was picture of an excursion train going to Falls Village ? An an excursion going to Falls Village is all right, but one from Falls Village is another thing altogether.
 "But goods are cheaper in the country" Are they One man out of 300 found them so at East Canaan, but what dld the other 299 say {? If goods are cheaper in the country, let the people go and learn the truth, then they will gladly do their trading at home and go on excursions only for pleasure. And if goods are cheaper in the country, what has made them so Excursions, sir, by obliging country merchants to compete with the city, which they are we'll able to do. If you stop excursions, will goods be as cheap as in the city not long, assure you.
 Are you willing to do what you are trying to make others do !? Will you agree that for the next five years you will purchase nothing out of town, and that whenever you ride upon the rail road you will pay full rates !?
 You mention two heroic remedies to compel people to buy at home, but they seem to me to be too indirect. ! like direct methods. Let law be passed that none but merchants shall have the privilege of buying anything outside his own town. How do you like the looks of that But is it not what you are virtually advocating?
 Now, MT Editor, merchants are 8 very useful class, and we gladly support 8 limited number of them. My relations to my home merchants are pleasant and they get nearly my entire trade. But 1 some things I prefer to buy elsewhere, aud when anyone attempts to deprive me of that privilege, I feel like kicking. If you think it for the interest of the people to patronize their home mer. chants, say so, and prove it by argu. ments, but when you propose heroic measures the great majority of your readers are not with you. The people are long suffering, but if pressed toe tar may resort to heroic measures them selves. l.. Falls Village, Feb 6.
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