The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 276, 19 June 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1868.

To-xioht the people of Westport are called together to consider one of the most important matters that they have hitherto had brought before them, viz., the establishment of a Municipality or otherwise. It is not our intention to say any more on the subject than what we have already urged, and we have little doubt that a unanimous feeling in favor of the institution will this night be evoked. If such is the case, the Municipality will, as a matter of course follow, and by its means, Westport will obtain its first instalment of local selfgovernment. The only objections that can be urged are, that the place is not ripe enough for it, and that the people are not in a position to pay any increased taxation. The reply to these is simple. In the first place, any community possessed of ordinary sense is, we conceive, at any period in its history, competent and capable of managing its own affairs. As to the taxation, that entirely rests with the councillors elected, or really with the public who choose them, and it can be in just such proportion as Jthe residents are able to afford On the other hand, the management of wharves, the income arising out of various licenses, and the Government aid are expended as a quid pro quo for this self-taxation. The monies voted for the improvement of streets, and other public works in the municipality, would no doubt be handed over to the Council to disburse, and the difference would be that the public themselves, instead of the Commissioner, would control and conduct the expenditure. We have no idea of enlarging on the matter, which must commend itself to every reasonable mat), and hope that to-night preliminary action will be taken, so jthat at the earliest time allowed by law, we may have to record the proceedings of the first "Westport Municipal Council.