Editors Morning Herald:

As we no longer have any daily paper of our own, we must needs depend on the journalistic enterprise of our neighbors to keep us posted on current events. The wish is often expressed that the Morning Herald was transplanted to this famous locality, for Oil City is unquestionably the geographical hub of Petrolia. It only needs a first-class newspaper to make it the commercial center as well. But “if the mountain won’t come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain.” Therefore, we shall avail ourselves of the privilege of a correspondent of your widely circulated newspaper to say something in our behalf.

Some time ago it was proposed to incorporate Oil City and Venango City under a single charter. Their interests are identical, and the broad Allegheny which sweeps between is no barrier to their commercial union, for the river is spanned by a bridge. What we now require is simply a street railroad, that shall enable our citizens to cross and recross at convenience day or evening. The effect of this would be to make Venango City a point of general attraction for residence, and leave Oil City for business purposes. The united corporations would then rapidly enlarge, for they would offer to the operator, the merchant, the banker, and the manufacturer, all the advantages of a central location, unequalled for railroad communication, cheap markets, low-price building lots (because of unlimited territory), and in a few years make this what Titusville now is, the metropolis of the Oildorado.

Will not some our leading men act upon these suggestions and give them a practical shape? Let there be a concert of action, with a view to the general welfare, so that we shall not be outstripped in the race for municipal distinction by towns possessing not a fraction of the natural advantages which attach to our own.

It is difficult to say when we shall have another daily newspaper. Mr. Johns, of the Register, has, from time to time, thrown out encouraging intimations, but we fear the undertaking is too much for him. The Times has become the property of our mutual friend, Sheriff Herpst, and has relapsed into a weekly issue. It was never much of an “institution” in the way of a daily paper. But for the business tact and personal popularity of Mr. Morrison, would have subsided long since. As a matter of experiment, it has demonstrated one fact, viz: that a stock company cannot run a newspaper, and no matter what their pecuniary resources, they cannot popularize it. “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” The people always suspected interested motives – they don’t like to lubricate any machine that is set up to grind private axes.

Shall we have a new hotel at Oil City? That is a question which ought to interest the community in general. Some time ago it was rumored that the Prather Bros., of Plumer, intended to remove the Chase House from Pleasantville to this city, but subsequently the report was contradicted by the Herald. There could be no more desirable investment at any point in the oil region. The citizens of Franklin did a sagacious thing in promptly rebuilding the Exchange. We want something equally creditable here.

Are you coming here to the ladies’ banquet on Tuesday, for the benefit of the library fund? Extensive preparations are in progress for a splendid dinner, and a delightful time may be expected.

Something of a sensation has been caused by the transportation of nitroglycerine and other explosives through our streets. It is gratifying to know that Justice Boyce has taken cognizance of the matter. We do not propose to submit to such outrages with impunity. Some of the men engaged in this traffic seem to imagine that communities have no rights which they are bound to respect, but a health public sentiment is being developed, and will make itself felt are long by effective penalties for every infraction of the law.

Since the subsidence of the oil “corner” nothing of striking importance has occurred in commercial circles. The Herald Petroleum Report for November comes to hand this morning and is generally accepted as unimpeachable. Some money changed hands among speculators who bet on the production. In one instance $700, I am told, between parties on the Upper Creek.

More anon,

FIGARO