Minnesota weekly times., 1855-05-29
FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1855.
OUR PRESENT POSITION.

To the superficial observer, it would appear
that ST. Paul was not progressing ut the present
time with that rapidiy which hitherto has charac-
terized her annual progress. The reasons assign
ed are, that business is dull and that not as many
emigrants are settling in our city as in former
years. Besides this, the water is low-the logs
cannot be got out Of the Pincries, and consequent
y the men discharged to hunt up some other
employment. Again, the cry is raised" Real
Estate in and about st. Paul is too high-men
who rould buy at reasonable rates, are driven to
other points, and the money of the capitalist is
thus directed to distant channels" There is some
truth in all this. Let consider the first propo-
sition-business is dull-and inquire what makes
it SO? Is it because emigration has left us?-
Not by any means. Is it because there are fewer
inhabitants in st. Paul this spring than there were
last Oh, no! Why is it then? Simply because
money is scarce. How comes money scarce?-
The high price of provisions at the East, and the
great drain which has been made upon our mer-
chants who sent below larger amount of money
this year than formerly that they might thereby
lay in more extensive stock for the summer and
fall trade. These are the principal reasons why
money is scarce in st. Paul at the present time.
But, says another, most Of the emigrants do not
settle in St. Paul-they push on ten Or fifteen
miles beyond. Grant this is so, VIII it not benefit
St. Paul in the end? This very immigration is
like tonic to weak stomach or stays to female
waist-it braces up AMI supports oar city, and
although we may not directly receive benefit from
it, yet it will do more to give permancncy to St.
Paul and prosperity to her citizens, than if $780,
600 were left here by spectators, who have no
interest in our city, further than the rise of their
real estate. Most of those who have settl ID
about us, are persons of limited means -practi-
cal mcn-men who add to the wealth of country,
and who, after erecting their dwellings and put
ting in their crops, have but little left. Another
season and thousands will be fed by the labor of
their hands. If they are successful with their
crops, our merchants will be successful in their
trade, and just in proportion as the farmer sue
ceeds, just in like proportion is the of the
merchant. The immigration then which has been
dvested from the city to the country this year, is
good omen of our future success.
The water is low. Very we'll /; was there ever
season since the existence of St. Paul, when it
was not low? And had not the lumbcrmen as
much difficulty in former years as now in getting
out their logs, and yet St. Paul has prospered.--
The same complaint of want of rain extends
throughout the country--is not confined to Min.
nesota, but our juno rains, which scarcely, if ever
fail, will soon come on, and then this difficulty
will be removed. The lumbermcn will return to
their avocation--moncy will become plenty--our
mills will turn out double the amount of work
they now do--more buildings will be erected, and
more mechanics will necessarily be cmploycd.--
All these drawbacks are for our interests, for if
we were swimming smoothly over the sea,
wild spirit of speculation would seize every one
legitimate business would be neglected
would be loaned at enormous rates of interest to
invest in real cstate--the ideal would give place
to the practical, and thus with whoop and a yell
the boat of Speculation would get into the vortex
and at last be drawn into the maelstrom and car
ricd down. taking with it many who will now be
saved.
"Rcal Estate is too high in St. Paul" Ger
tainly it is for those who wish to buid and there.
by add to the wealth of the city, but we wish
most sincerely that it was hundred thousand
times higher wherever the spcculator desires to
fastcn his fangs upon it-so high that he could
not reach it. Men who come to st. Paul jingling
$4,000 in their pockets, in hopes to buy land in
the city for $50 and $50 lot, generally get aeas
in their ears and return to curse and malign our
city and its citizens. Why, gentlemen, wc don't
want you-you arc book k-suckcrs on society,
! :nd your room is much better than your compa-
ny. We have particular reference now to those
who are not content with 200 or 800 per cent.
advance, they want 500, and because they can't
get it, they whine like spoiled children. There is
doubt but real estate is too high in ST. Paul for
practical purposes. Let US be understood. Gen.
t.emcn who come here to build and open stores
whose influence will induce others to come-whosc
object is to settle permanently in our city and
grow upwith it t-such gentlemen should be treat
cd with greater consideration than those who in
| tend to make no Improvement, and if our citizens
who own property in St. Paul, will extend to them
reasonable inducements, the city will advance much
more rapidly, and they will be none the poorer in
the end.
Taking wide scope over the field, we feel full
ly satisfied that st. Paul is advancing rapidly
enough. The country is filling in with excellent
farmers, and in one year more there will be
solidity given to St. Paul and the Territory
which will place them among the most favored
portions of Uncle Sans dominions.
Hook AND LADDER CoMPANY.-We learn that
Mr.. j. Q. A. Ward has left the city for Chicago,
for the purpose of purchasing an apparatus for
the Hook and Ladder Co. of this city, which it is
thought will cost 5000.
CT Now is the time to use economy. Money
&c md fol; hot ,rlI happ