The Mill That Stopped: A City Holds Its Breath

SHUT DOWN.--Colman's mill was shut down a part of yesterday for repairs to the machinery. The cessation of the wanted din and hustle about the busy old mill, which has so long beat a lively air, and fantastic of industry to that part of the town, was particularly noticeable, and it led us into the reflection of what that busy portion of the town would be if its clouds of smoke and steam were shut off altogether. Certainly if it were gone we should miss it, to say the least. The value of this, and many other industries to the interests of our city, we can hardly appreciate now. The question may easily answered as to what our city would be without this and several lesser industrial establishments. Take our stone yards, furniture and blind factories and machine shops away, and what a change would come over the city. It is only in looking at it in this way that we can appreciate their value and real use to what an extent it behooves every citizen to do all he can in contributing to their prosperity with his patronage. If an engine is wanted, the job of building it should be given to a local mechanic, for the fact is already demonstrated that we can build good engines here quite as cheap as they can be built elsewhere. Our ashes and doors should also be purchased exclusively of home manufacturers; and so we might run through the whole catalogue. If we may enquire what our city would be without any of these industries, we may on the other hand ask what it might be if their number and business were doubled? Our greatest need is more manufacturing and industrial establishments. Therefore should in every way encourage their business among us. We should foster those we already have, and liberally aid all new enterprises. We are continually shipping away too much crude material and importing too many manufactured articles. This constant drain upon our resources must be checked. It would be prosperous and healthful as a community, we may as well set about to hedge it now as any time. We are greatly disappointed of a ship yard and tannery and hope that before another year has passed, these industries will be added to those we already possess.