Year: 1865

ELKToN, Nov. l, 1865.
MessrS. Edttors:-Taking the county town last, nv
visit to Cecil has followed the order which rhetori
clans style the direct climax.


Elkton is by no means finished village as some
envlous persons have called 1t. 1t shows unmisak-
able signs of being wide awake and in the line of pro-
gress. NO houses are vacant, rents are high and
marketing is not cheap all of which indicates an ap
Proclamation to metropolitan dignity. The citizens
claim a population of 1,S00-young and old white
ana black. There are five well built churches and
two commodious school houses, one for the primary
and grammar, the other for the county High school
all under control of the County School Commission
ers and containing over two hundred and fifty
pupils,


Stores of all descriptions are numerous and appear
to be favored with brisk trade. Apothecaries and
physicians are specially busy, Elkton in common
with the other portions of the county, having its full
share of ague and fever. So widely has this malaria
extended its poison that it will be wise for scientific
men to inquire what atmospheric or other causes
have produced it. For more than thirty years, and
since the lands have been drained, and lime used as
a fertilizer, malarous diseases have been gradually
disappearing, but this autumn they return with all
their pristine vigor, and favor every family with
reminder that though long absent they have not
taken final farewell.


Among the projected improvements is a large cot
ton mill, to employ four hundred operators. There
Is ample water power for the purpose and being on
the direct line of railroad communication between
the great cities of North and South the cotton con-
sumers and the cotton producers the people ought to
be successful Should the factory be established it will
add to the population activity and wealth of the
town, and help on all subordinate branches of in
dustry.


On Monday evening I attended large meeting of
the citizens in the Court House. to hear the Super
intendent of Public Instruction explain the new
School Law. Since 1889, there has been in Cecil an
organized system of public schools, which has pre-
pared people the work in which they are now en-
gagged andhas convinced them of the importance and
economy of having schools thoroughly supervised by
competent local commissioners, and taught by intel
lgent preceptors The State superintendent together
with Mr.. Ellis the President of the County Board is
now making visit to the schools of Cecil and has
addressed meetings in various sections explaining
the system and urging the people to do their part
in building and furnishing school houSes This sub
ject of education is Of vast importance, and if sue
cessuy inauguraed, will do more for the State than
all the systems of public works combined From what
have heard, in conversation with citizens thereis
desire the schools prosper but not that earnest
interest which is essential to full success and which
the Superintendent is now diligently laboring to
awaken.


The Court House in this town is not up to the dig
nifty and wealth of the county. 1t is of the olden
time in style and equipment. As parting word to
the people of Cecil say advertise for plans, and
then lay the foundation of a temple of justice which
will be an honor to your intelligence and public
spirit. MERCHANT