The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-09-14
WESTMINSTER THROUGH NEW
YORK SPECTACLES.
Its College-Great Improvements in the Past
Ten Years-Activity and Hospitality of Its
Citizens-Good Newspapers, etc.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated

Citizens-GOod Newspapers, etc.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
New YORK, n. Y, Sept. 4, 1895.
MEssRs. EDITORS Perhaps some of your
readers, especially those of them who are
citizens of Westminster, may be interested to
know how your city impresses a visitor.
To see Westminster in its most inviting and
agreeable aspect, no better time than the
month of June can be chosen. 1t was the
writer's good fortune to revisit the place last
June during the week of the Western Mary
land College commencement exercises. To
one with early associations and memories
connected with the College, such an occasion
derives much of its interest and pleasure from
the renewal of mountaineering and the re-
vival of old memories, but "a little time de-
voted to the observation of the town itself,
served to show that the College was but one
among many factors, that go to make of West
minister a very pleasant place. Undoubtedly
the first impression made by the place on that
occasion was. that cordiality and good fellow
ship prevailed, and that, to degree some
thing greater than is generally understood
when a place Is said to be hospitable. II is
true. 100. tistA bu THIS NNNeoANh 'ttN
EXPRESSION of hospitality and general good
humor was due to the special character OF
the College celebration. Yet if there is that
in the College TO bring out such an express
sion. it only means that the College must be
counted largely among the influences that
make the reputation OF the town. The en-
tente oordiaie existing between the College
and the citizens, as indicated even to stran-
ger. by the College decorations, the green
and gold. generously displayed, showed that
Westminster is alive fully to the value of in
telleetual culture and loyal in support of a
worthy institution.
With such d foundation Oiintelligence, then,
upon which TO build an estimate Of a commu-
nity. il Is not strange that there should be no
ticeable the general appearance OF THRIFT.
After an absence Of seven or eight years II
was Of course natural to expect changes, and
to look for improvements. In this respect
again the result was solid aud substaniial;-
not the appearance of place asleep, nor that
of a place under the feverish stimulus OF a
boom. The condition OF the streets, alone,
was so much better than formerly as to show
that the citizens had just pride in their town,
as well as a purpose TO do well for themselves
by doing weil for IT, How far they may be
justified in antAgonizing or cripping one pro
lect that Is in itself good, in the efior, to de-
velop another that is also expected To be good,
is inst the sor; of question that always arises
when like ends are sought TO be reached by
opposing companies, as, for instance, when
electric railroads vie with steam IN efforts 10
gain the travel between two points, or an ehe'
tric company and vas company are IN coui'
petition Tor an Illuminating contract In tins
last case the companies may both be wholly
local. and then the contest becomes one be
tween two parties whose Interests lie wholly
IN the town itself. Where one o! the com
paaies, however. Is an outside party and the
other an inside or home party, II seems to me
that placing the two on an equai footing Is
"free trade" Just AS showing favor to the
home company Is protection. In your re-
cent election. in which | understand the
adoption ofa system Of electric lighting IN
place OF gas. for the streets, Was an issue, II
would be interesting to know whether the
voters we're divided along the lines OF tree
trade and protection Whether the result OF
the. election, with the undertaking OF arc
lights for ;be streets, Is to prove profitable 10
the town or discOuraging 10 the gas company
must now he len to experience 60 decide, bu'
the issue itself and the interest taken IN u
show an aieriness on the part Of the citizens
that j. al least stTpag prptes, against stagna
ton.
Il Is a fortunate tcwn iR any agricultural
region. that ESCAPES the appearance OF ieih-
argv. for If place Is not III some seffse a
or shipping center, there IS not
usually much else to give Il an enierprIsing
air except manufacturing, And yet Westmln-
steF. in the midst Of farming country, with
no extensive manufactures. IS a witness that
toWn growth under such circumstances Is pos
,ibls. Il seemed misfortune when the lay
Ior Manufacturing Company removed their
works from the place; It certainly was mat
Ter Tor regret that the Touring mills was
obliged to stop. Il, has since been started and
Is running day and night;l but as strolied
around ON \ pleasant june DAY, the wagons
delivering splendid specimens Of artificial ice
smoke Of new business and one that ought 10
b.. successful aud profitable ia every consid-
srahle town south OF Mason and Dixon's line,
and perhaps ~ Ear north as the latitude OF
Boston.
Business houses looked inviting, and, to a
casual observer al least, seemed Hourishing.
In short. the dry goods houses. warehouses,
hardware establishments, and other business
places all partOok of the general appearance
Of comfort and prosperityi while the increase
in the number OF tine private houses was quite
nntieeable. Court was IN session aud failed
10 learn that the cases before 1t, either in
number or IN magnitude, indicated any con
siderable OF exceptional lawlessness or eriml-
ualiy in the immediate district OF IN the
county at large.
For one Just dropping IN upon any place
1t Is not possible properly TO eSn
mate the agencies that have contributed most
effectually ia determining its character. In
Westminster, no doubt, men and schemes have
arisen as factors and passed aWsy leaving their
impress for good or in, but when town OF
oniy three thousand population maintains good
schools, a half dozen churches, two newspa-
pers, supports largely higher institution OF
learning. and in little more than ten years
szlabiishes system of water-works, an ice
factory, canning houses, payes MS streets, IN
troduces electric lights and a home telephone
extending throughout the county,
besides displaying such minor activities as
naturally would accompany these, and all
without being the victim Of boom, tneeds
not avoid comparison with many larger and
more pretentious cities. How this last period
compares with former periods in the history
of the town. the elder citizens can tell best,
hut it is safe to assume that the end Is by no
means Vet ftdtLth. Inv bitNNAAt 4NNNtA' 'a"iA
road and the expected trolley line make a
strong contrast to the stage line to Baltimore,
which is still vivid in the memory of many OF
vour citizens. Whatever good things may be
coming in the development Of the arts or the
application Of the sciences, 1t is pretty certain
that Westminster will come in for a share OF
them.
II is wel-known that one of the most effee-
tive means of keeping place up to the mark
Is good local newspaper. Westminster Is
fortunate in having two, and especially IN
having THE ADVOCATE, which is doubtless the
hest county paper in the State. The writer,
even when differing with it in political views,
has always recognized its earnest and able
efforts in opposing corruption and especially
in encouraging anything that tends to improve
and elevate its town and county.
ID. w. HIRING.