The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-05-08
WESTMINSTER CITY ELECTION.
Some Matters for the Newly Elected City
officials to Consider.

Some Matters for the Newly Elected City
officials to Consider.
The annual election for Mayor anl five
members Of the Common Council of West
minister took place on Monday last. There
was practically but one ticket in the field.
On the Friday night previous a ticket was
nominated at meeting called by Mayor
Smith The attendance was not large and
the ticket then made up was later rearranged.
In the meantime another ticket was gotten
up, and this one went to pieces by the decli-
nation of Dr. JOS I. Herring to consent to
stand for Mayor and the refusal of John NJ.
Roberts to be a candidate for Councilman.
Then individuals we're taken up by their
friends, and altogether there was quite mix
up. There were Asa tickets voted, and they
we're cast for the following persons:
FOR MAYOR.
Nelson Gilbert SS2 DR.. J. T. Herring. 65
FOR COMMON COUNCIL.
Austin Yingling.. 395 Henry Himler... ia
David Cewan, Jr. 359 S. P. Weaver. Ill
Grove A. Shipley 326 John NJ. Roberts 65
j. A. MackiHtosh 267 John B. Saylor... 159
James H. Cassell 266 VIM. Ourser..... 1913
The leading idea, it is said, by the Coun-
cilmen chosen, is to have the streets sprin-
kled with the water of the Westminster Water
Company, the claim being that the city con
tract covered free water for street sprinkEng
purposes. The stockholders of the water
company took no part in the matter and per
mitted the election to go along without inter-
ference. The directors of the company, how
ever, had they chosen to enter into contest
in the matter, could have readily carried the
election.
The new city officers will go into office on
the 18th instant, and before they enter upon
any street sprinkling plan they should first
consider the city's rights under the contract
with the water company, and be certain that
the city has the right to free use Of tn com
pany's water for sprinkling purposes. If it
be ascertained that the city has such right,
then the cost Of the sprinkling should be well
counted before the work is begun. Any plan
of sprinkling undertaken must be thorough
and cover all streets. Property holders not
residing OH the main thoroughfare will not be
satisfied that sprinkling shall be confined to
it. They are and have been for some years
paying taxes for improvements to that street,
while other streets have been neglected, and
to avoid any clashing it would be well for the
new city officers to take into consideration all
streets in any street sprinkling plan adopted.
And the work ought to be thorough. No
halfway business will be satisfactory. West
minister has about ten miles of streets, and
the calculation as to the number of carts
necessary to do the work thoroughly should
be close and accurate. The expense of carts,
horses and drivers will be considerable. The
laying CT the dust would be a blessing, partic-
ularly ON the chief streets, but after the cost
is ascertained providing the city has the
right to the free use of water) the Mayor and
Council should then consider whether the
city can afford the expense. The streets,
particularly Main street, need remetalling
and improvement, and if something is not
soon done the S25, 600 expended in macadam-
izing will have been in measure lost, as the
work will have to be done owe: again.
There are now about $4,000 of taxes past
due, and this fact should be taken into con-
sideration. These taxes should be collected.
1t is net good management to allow taxes to
be unpaid and the streets to go to rack and
unnecessary interest to be paid. Were this
money in hand So, 900 could be applied to re-
firing the city's debt and $4,000 to street i'm
provement. The ADVOCATE does not desire
to criticise recent administrations Of city
affairs, but the large amount of overdue taxes
and the need for street repairs is evidence
that there has not been sufficient interest and
energy shown. Most of the officers chosen
have almost been forced upon tickets, and
the pay is ridiculousy small. Still, men who
accept public trusts should give their best
efforts, notwithstanding the services are almost
unrewarded. Upon this point too, 1t must
be remembered that those who manage the
various enterprises of this town give their
services free. The directors of the Ice and
Cold Storage Company serve without compen-
sation and pay the same price for ice that
other consumers pay. The directors of the
Western Maryland Telephone Company serve
without compensation and pay the same rem
tai for telephones that other patrons pay.
The directors of the Westminster Gas-Light
Company serve without compensation and
pay the same for gas that other users do.
The directors of the Electric Light and Power
Company serve without compensation and
pay the same for light as other patrons pay.
The directors of the Land, Improvement,
Loan and Manufacturing Company serve
without compensation. The directors of the
Westminster Water Company serve without
compensation and pay the same water licenses
that other citizens pay.
Let the newly elected officers give time and
attention to city affairs, even to their incon-
venience, just as the managers of the local
enterprises do, and better government will
result Let them strictly enforce all ordi-
nances, and particularly let them enforce the
collection of taxes The sanitary condition
of the city is matter that needs constant
Alteration, and if Westminster is to remain a
favorite resort for summer boarders the streets
and alleys must be put in good condition and
no nuisances must be permitted.