The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-08-29
First Impressions Of the Capital.
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. %, 1853.

Mr.. EDIroR:-Many things are calculated
to attract the attention of a stranger favor
ably on his first arrival at this capital. Signs
of thrift and growth are apparent on every
hand. The business streets present one con-
tinued scene of hustle and activity, while an
almost rural quiet prevails in those parts
mainly occupied with dwellings. The
streets and sidewalks are spacious, and bor- !
dered with shade-tFees to an extent that will
soon enable the place to contend with its sis
ter up on the Lake, for the designation of the
Forest City. Among the domestic comforts
are, abundance of fruits, we'll furnished mar.
keis, and-what a resident of your city would
know how to appreciate-plenty of pure cold
water and no mosquitoes!
One prerequisite to these comforts howev-
er, is no easier of attainment than with you.
refer to dwelling houses. Rents, appre-
herd, are higher than in Evansville, and the
price affixed to real estate would be thought
ridculously high, were not the subject, espe-
cially to all new corners, too serious a one for
testing. These are among the signs that de-
note rapid increase in the population and
wealth of the city, though Of course among
the most formidable inconv eniences that new
residents have to encounter. They prove
however, that the "march of improvement" is
onward, and this is apparent on every hand.
Buildings are going up in every quarter,
though chiefly for business purposes. Sew
eral costly and elegant blocks of this charac-
ter are now in course of erection, and the dis
play OF snowy merchandise made in some of
the retail houses, especially by gas-light, sur
passes that of any other town in Hoosierdom
yet seen by the present writer. The travel
also that centres here, is immense, and for
which the hotel and boarding house accom-
modatious are hardly adequate. The spa
cious and elegant Bates House is not yet
ready for the reception of guests, and cannot
be for some months, and the Wright House.
it is said, is soon to be torn down, or at least
converted to business purposes.
The proposed Straight Line Railroad has
already brought your city more prominently
before the minds of the citizens of this; and
| am glad to say that you seem to be appre.
ciated up here, as an enterprising and thrifty
people. A number Of prominent business
men with whom have spoken, express the
opinion freely, that E, ansyiile, at no distan,
day, will be the great business mart of Indi.
ana. The important railroad enterprise jus,
referred to, will facilitate your progress to.
wards that position, while it will also add an
other to the many similar channels through
which prosperity is flowing in upon this city
| This enterprise, may also say, is increasing
. ly popular here, and is dailv gaining addition.
: al favor among capitalists and men of public
, spirit abroad. The stock Is taking rapidly
and it is understood that the road will be fl
! nally located by the Board of Directors in
October, after which the lettings will be
. made, and the whole work put under ontrac,
as speedily as possible.
VI The moral and religious tone of the soci.
2 ETY. of Indianapolis also deserves to be Sc,
, down among its peculiarties. A stranger
9 might infer this from the number of churche:
scattered along its broad and shady streets
Several of these, especially some belonging
the Methodists, are of more than ordinary
: architectural pretensions. In regard to Sun
e day Schools. the title Of the "Banner City,
u has been for several years awarded to India
: nspois not only throughout this State, but al
= most throughout the Union.
Public attention is at this time widel,
g awake on the subject of temperance. At the
v last election, the "no license" ticket was car
ried by large majority, yet in number .
:, holes, mostly subterranean, the will of the
people has in that respect been set at naught
Several deaths Of recent occurrence, directly
owing to drunkenness, have given shape ant
point to the public complaints against thi.
q wanton violation of law. This was mani
# tested week ago, in public street meeting
S which was addressed by number of prom
e nent citizens, and at which stringent resolu
i tons were adopted, and committee appoint
e ed to wait on the keepers of the doggeries
said to be some fifty in number, and signify
It to them that they must abandon the traffic. -
i This committee is to report at an adjourned
g meeting to be held next week. Whateve
may be the report they will then make, it il
quite certain public indignation has reached
Is point that will brook the outrage no longer
n If peaceuble remonstrance will not remove
Or the evil, some stronger measures will certain
he ly be adopted. Yours A. b. Z.
If THE EMBARRASSED YOU'VE MANA
e young man, who was about to he married