The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-03-12
The Right Sort of Board of Trade.

MiddletOwn, Del, has a population of about
1900 and but single railroad. 1t has n
Board of Trade comprising fifty members,
which was organized a year ago. Its first an
nual meeting took place on the Sd instant, at
which the President of the Board, Samuel NJ.
Reynolds, Esq, a leading, energetic and sue
cessful merchant, made report of the oper-
atoms of the Board for the year. Their first
work was to secure from the Postmaster Gen
eral better mail facilities, and the continue
ton of service that it was proposed to take
from them. The next step was to correspond
with parties prospectingf for locations for man
ufacturing plants. A shirt factory employing
a large number of women, running GA sewing
machines. with Il pay roll of $1,000 per month,
was located in the town. The Board is also
contemplating the erection of Shoe Factory,
Hosiery MILL a Merchant Flour Mill, Pa
per Mill and Straw Goods Factory, also a
Canning Factory and Fruit Basket Factory.
The town also has a large Creamery which is
paying out $50, 900 annually. This creamery
has greatly enhanced the profits of cattle
among the farmers in the neighborhood.
When it was first talked of it was treated with
great Indifference, but its projectors perse-
yered, and they have been rewarded with
splendid results.
From the contemplation of this most en-
couraging result of the joint efforts of the peo
pie of Middet 7wn, we turn our thoughts to
Westminster. More than year ago Board
of Trade was organized here. What has be-
come of it? Can it make a showing equal to
that of Middletown? Has it tried to do any
thing? We ask fer information. Westmin.
ster has more than twice the population of
Middletown and more than twice the wealth.
But its capitalists do not seem disposed to
put their money into enterprises to afford
labor to cur people and to fill up our vacant
houses with industrious and thrifty mechan-
les and operatives. They will put it into
stocks, bonds, mortgages, and other securities,
but not into productive industries which bring
larger population and create demand for
more houses, more groceries, dry goods, mar
ketng, and everything else needed to supply
the wants of a prosperous and thrifty commu-
nifty. We have been told that there are forty
vacant houses in this town. Another account
says there are sixty houses here tenantless.
Whether this be so or not, it is certain there
is a considerable number. 1t is equally GER
tain that this state of things demands Of our
citizens some effort to lift our town out of its
present torpor and stagnation, and start it
again upon career of renewed prosperity.
''But we can do nothing until we get another
railroad says some carping drone, with his
hands stuck in his pockets. MddIetown has
bnt one railroad, and the same complaint of
excessive freight charges is heard there
as well as here. But its business men are
driving ahead and making the best use posi-
bic of the facilities they have, instead of wait
ing for better. The right way to do is to lay
hold with both hands of the opportunities
we have, and if they are not sufficient for
US, make them so by an indomitable energy
and perseverance, that stops at no obstacle and
IL .,.,la h,, ,p,nanfuant Whara
there is a will there is a way. Let the bust
ness men of Westminster shake off their leth-
argy. If they would but use the means and
opportunities they already have it would not
be long before we should witness a rapid
hnsinnsg awakening y