The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-01-05
1aa6-what WIN It Bring ?

1So5-What Will 1t Bring
Notwithstanding the general business de
preston that has prevailed throughout the
country, this section seems not to have been
seriously affected. During 1914 an ice factory
was built in Westminster also an electric light /
plant. and some new buildings were erected, |
while others were enlarged aud improved.
This is certainly good record. Westmin-
ster has been steadily going ahead. Every |
year finds the little city farther advanced, /
while other places. some of them much larger |
than Westminster, are either at a standstill or
retrograding. All of her business establish |
ments are doing fairly well-her merchants,
perhaps, having done better last year than for |
some years past. They are progressive and |
energetic and their stocks are of higher |
grade than are usually found outside of large |
cities. Westminster dry goods, clothing, |
boot and shoe establishments are not excelled |
in either Frederick or Hagerstown, and by |
liberal advertising trade has been drawn from |
a wide scope of country.
So much for 1894, but what will 1895 bring?
This question is EARLY answered. 1t will bring
Just whatever the people want The money
is here to start any industry or enterprise that
is needed or will yield fair profits, and the
business capacity is here to manageit. There
is some complaint here Of hard times and
scarcity of money, but it IS more imaginary
than real There is not business nor pro-
fessional man in Westminster that cannot
without inconvenience, spare a little money
to put into enterprises, and the aggregate will
amount to a considerable sum. The stock OF
the ice and electric light companies is held
in small amounts. If either should be fail
nre no one would lose much. The EGGPLANT
50 far. : a great success. and the electric light
plant viii no doubt be.
What ought to be done cannot all be done
At once. The City FIGURING Mills should be
mt in operation, and some industry started
that would give employment to women 4
larger and more modern public hall Is needed,
more accommodations for summer boarders,
and A frst.elass female seminary. All these
will come in time The first need IS another
railroad. One has been projected, from Beis-
terstown to Union Mills, 10 be the connecting
link between the road from Baltimore to
Reisterstown. and the road from Gettysburg
south. This is to be an electric road-the
most advanced system ofrailroads when
compIeted the whole viii make continuous
line from Baltimore. the metropolis of the
South. to Gettysburg, the most interesting
historic spot in America, well as one OF
the most beautiful. The road viii shorten the
distance between these two points about TWEEN
~ miles. save an hour in time and dollar IN
fare. Il is the best enterprise projected for
Westminster since the building otthe Western
MARYLAND railroad. and viii do as much for
Il nearly As that road has done. Westminster
was not much Of town when the Western
MARYLAND railroad was built but il has stead
ily grown since. Its population now IS three
times greater and the value Of property has IN
creased four-fold Build the electric read and
the place viii grow twice as fast, business will
increase and all real estate will be enhanced
IN value. Trade viii come here that now
goes out Of the county. City people viii come
here to spend the summer aud many Will build
neat houses aud reside here the greater part
Of the year. while some viii make this their
permanent resident place.
The road will stimulate trade and business
its entire length. Rapid transit is the demand
Of the times. and the section that does not have
Il mus, necessarily be a iaggard in the general
advancement and development. The most de-
sirable farms are those convenient 10 railroads,
and those on electric lines have preference.
There IS a continual demand for handling sites,
for small tracts for homes. and for farms.
The busy city man likes the diversion Of coun-
try life. He likes 10 raise fine cattle. or sheep,
or poaltry. or experiment in crops.
Westminster. with its advantages and OPP
por,nnities. viii reap the greatest benefit from
the building Of the road, and Of course oughi
to take the lead in furtbering the enterprise
And ifits citizens take hold Of the matter N
earnest the road can he an accomplished fact
during 1895. All that is needed Is unity OF
action-Ges everybody to subscribe e the
stock. Ifall do what they conveniently can
there will be no question Of the road being
built this year. less than 100000 Is re-
CURED. This is no guess work. but the est
mate Of competent engineer who has been
over the route and calculated the cost And
the estimate includes equipment Of the road
with some freight and passenger cars II one
half Of tie money needed can be raised ~
stock subscriptions along the line Of The road.
the balance can he raised on five per cent
bonds. which viii readily sell at par. Flee
tric railways have been built in less favored
sections II a much greater cost per mile than
this road can be built for Those who hmil
them expect fair dividends. for capitalists DO
not invest money unless they believe the prin-
cipal Is safe and fair interest probable. II
an electric road viii pay in any rural section,
certainly one viii on the route Of the West
minister and Union Mills road, and particular
II %, when the work Of construction is eco
nomically done.
If the citizens Of Westminster would invest
half as much in the Westminster and Union
Min Electric Railways as they have in Roam
oke. Birmingham, Base City and other places
in the south, there would be but little to do
but 20 ahead and arrange details for the con
struetion Of the road. If they were willing to
buy unseen property in distant sections they
surely ought 10 lie willing TO take stock in an
enterprise that viii increase their business and
enhance the value Of their real estate.
Let rs take up the matter Of building the
electric road at once and cease not until II Is
an accomplished fact. Many have subscribed,
aud subscribed literally. Let the Others come
forward aud do what they can. The money
Is not payable until the road is built, and then
sixty DAYS are allowed.
The late war was waged for the preservation
Of the Union. So Lincoln declared, so Con-