The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 411, 24 November 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1868.

It is possible that the length to which -we have, on the last two occasions, reported the meetings of the Progress Committee may not be appreciate] by the reader whose daily perusal of the ; new--sheet is confined to the breakfast tabic, and who looks only for the news aB a sort of condiment to his matutinal meal. At the risk of imposing upon this class of readers, we have however, given the reports, believing that the publication of such discussions -as take place at the meetings of the s only local body we have, will serve a useful purpose, and will raise more of a spirit of discussion in the community than has hitherto been found to exist. Hitherto, the discussion of topics either of lo,cal or general interest have been confined, to the columns of the newspapers, but anonymous writings,"whatever may be their character, are not calculated to have the same influence as the words of speakers in public -meeting assembled, nor can they so fully represent the public sentiment as is likely to be done by the expression of a variety of opinions on the part of men giving attention to public affairs. It is, therefore, with much satisfaction that we have both observed •and reported the discussion hy the ■Committee of subjects more magnificent in their character than mere town improvements, but which are, in reality, the legitimate means by which local or district improvements are to he secured. It is scarcely with the same amount of satisfaction that we noticed that, among the members who ■were present at the last meeting of the Committee, the majority were not favorable to a much desiderated local institution —a Municipality. After all that has been written on the subject, in these columns and in others, it was reasonable to hope that there had dawned upon the minds of most men in Westport the conviction that the time for the introduction of sucli an institution had fully arrived. Should this prove not to be the case, we shall be sorry, for, at the risk of reiteration and probable tedium, it will necessitate a continuance of representations en the subject until that conviction does come. Meantime, if we may be allowed to make the suggestion, we should recommend one of the members of the Committee to test the question by tabling a motion on the

subject. This may be done all in good spirit, aud, if it secure nothing at the time beyond further ventilation of the subject, it will have secured a tangible good, and will, we thoroughly believe, ultimately achieve the end in view.