The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-08-14

InclEAsE OF PoPuLATlos.--At the Con-
gressional election In 1859, in the contest
between Messrs. Cook aud Clark, there
were l037 votes polled in the county OF
Scott. Two years afterwards, when the
competitors were Nessrs. Thorngton and
Hampstead, 1924 ballots were cast, being
an increase Of nearly 20 per cent. AT the
recent election. with Messrs. Davis and
Letter as candidates, 250S persons exer'
cised the right Of suffrage, the augmenta-
ton since 1854 being almost 80 per cent
Taking the vote as criterion, our popula-
ton throughout the county, since 1852, has
been swelling at the average rate OF about
80 per cent yearly. Should no blghtna
influences intervene, the election IN 1903
will show, we presume, at least 1000; and
we shall enter upon the next decade with
a poll of 5000 votes.
In the more compact and stationary com
munilies east OF the Alleghanies, six times
the number OF votes will generally approx.
innate very nearly TO the mass Of the popu-
ulation. Here, on accouM of u constant
influx Of new corners, it is admitted that
very much smaller proportion can legally
approac CHI the ballot box, residence oil SIX
months 10 the State being required by law
Calculating from these data, Scott county
has within ils borders $4,000 souls, and
probably will have in 1860 az many as So
600 Davenport township has a popula-
ton Of l4OO0 at present, and The rest oil
the county II 900. As yet, the city has ~.
creased in a greater proportion than the
county, and we zee no reason why THIS rule
should not continue. May we not then
confidently anticipate that in 1860 the cor
porate limits Of Davenport will! contain 3d.
600 people and the rest OF the county 25,-
600!
We know there are many who predicl
for our hourishng locality much greater
increase than this, who, perhaps, will feel
dissatisfied because we have not scared IN
the clouds, and put matters up to hgures
that would correspond with the calculations
of some OF our wellto-do river towns. But
we choose to keep within bounds when
shall inspire confidence abroad, although
we ackn ow ledge to having some private
notions o I our own, respecting the future OF
Davenport, which, II expressed either in ST
Louis, or Chicago, or even Dubuque, might
at the present moment subject us TO the 'm-
putation of being somewhat in advance o.
the age.
Let our capitalists only do their duty to
the city which Is the foundation oftheir own
prosperity without caring.for too large inme.
date profits upon their investments; let our
citizens be generous in cases where public
expenditure is demanded BY a wise pres
cience; let common motive influence US
all,-the motto being Excelsior, and the
elements which are at work among US viii
produce fruits, the like OF which it hath
scarcely entered into the Imagination TO
conceive. Owners of property and men Of
business should think of these matters, and
be not any longer too penny-wise and pound
foolish. Our ieyee should be OF the very
best kind; provision for supplying the town
with pure and wholesome water should be
made; gas should light all our thorougt.
fares, and our streets should be property
graded and paved. A little self sacfihice,
little unity in public spirited operations,
will accomplish wonders, as numerous in
stances throughout the country will alum
dainty testify,-snd as We hope viii be still
further verified BY our own example.