The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-05-13

Delivered al B4rrous' Hal, on Friday
Ersniag, May OH, 1855.

~~N'tFi3s ~'A@T "tfNs ACpys
The policy of my worthy predecessor, Of
presenting to the Council and public an in
augural address on the occasion Of assuming
the Office of Mayor, is so obviously worthy Of
4 imitation. that | willingly conform 10 il bv
/ giving expression to my views Of the condi-
ton, policy, and prospects of our growing
city.
Those who participate in the municipal
government Of old. staid and we'll organized
states and cities, have only a particular, we'll
defined class of duties 10 perform, and
beaten path TO pursue but those who engage
! in the management Of Young and prosperous
communities Of the West, have II changing,
increasing, uncertain accumulation Of duties
70 perform, and their plans and policy must
not only contemplate present infantile exis-
tence, but probable future growth and wide
expansion. The application Of steam 20
commercial and agricultural purposes has
suddenly augmented the value Of western
lands, brought the rich pra'res Of the West
in contact with the markets of the Last,
causing food Of emigration TO the rich della
formed BY the Mississirni and Missouri,
where cities rise suddenly into being and
| beauty, with prospects of future wealth and
grandeur that may hereafter rival many Of
the great cities of ancient and modern times.
nose VINO eStuDDSu lileiF lines, anu Suiue
their destiny, exercise q fearful responsible
tv, since their lahors must affect the interests
and attract the scrutiny Of future generations
and indefinite masses. The past i've years
Of progress in ke0kuk, is sufficient to awaken
reflections Of foresAadowing future which
dazzies and bewilders the Imagination, and
battles the most sagacioas attempt at ,olu-
ton. To make rules that are neither too mar
row nor too wide. too stringent nor too lcni-
eut, that viii apply to-day, and III future, de-
hes human intelligence. and only admits Of
approximate success. Fully sensible Of M
own frnilty, and the delicate task and doubt
fu issues before me, | shall exercise my best
judgment and exertons IN the fulhilment Of
a station that has been acquired under cir
cumstances dattering to my feelings, and
commandinr my gratitude, and devotion TO
your service.
keokuk, situated on the west bank Of our
great American River, the greatest 10 the I
world, Mt the foot Of the first or lower rapids, in
healthy climate, in n. Lat 40 deg, a high, 4
commanding and beautiful site surrounded on I
all sides by a remarkably rich anl productive
soil, why should we marvel ut her progress
during the few years that have transpred
since her titles have been established and
the country has become partially developed
MS great TN u linz hL Iulullu Sea- ulNlQGN
this continent in halves. On her long ex-
tended shores, the commerce Of thousand +
miles is arrested in its progress, to crowd tile
floating steamers that drift it to remote re-
gions Of the world. If there be an7 remark.
able or salient point on this great central
commercial channel, any point specially at
tractise 10 the approaching commerce, it is
here at the central point, where the rock bed I
Of the river, the great rapids, and vast
water-power, are first found in ascending 7.
from the Gulf OF Mexico towards its source
IL Is here that the nominal character Of the
river changes +; here changes the character OF |
boats here science and genius must strive. K
al great expense, to overcome natural 0b- +
struetions; here an emigrant bridge. hgn
above steam oats. can safely aud convenient
~ be constructed and here is the confluence
of the great and beautiful Des Moines. that
drains the largest portion Of the Mississippi
and Missouri "diyide," which IS the richest
domain that can be found on the face Of the
earth. Is it strange that such II point should
already attract Il large share Of tho enter
prise, wealth, and growing commerce Of the
Vest Is il strange that keokuk has, ID
few years, become, TO great extent, the
wholesale and commercial emporium Of the
State Of Iowa. Is it strange that in six or
SENtil NtdIS IL HIH RISEN from one 10 ten itb0-
sand In population Is it, in view of her
natural advantages, her past short, cyentful
history, and her present prosperity, unreas-
| enable to predict that ii seven Years more
she will contain thirty Or forty thousand in
habltanto
With Difference to nnigaborng cities,
which being our seniors IN age, have ex-
celiel rs in the past. we have no reason to
at1v fboir II.
In the future march Of western cities, we
claim position in the front rank, and with the
prestige Of the few past years, We may con-
tdently strive with them for pre- eminence in
commerce, manufactures, wealth, worth, and
population.
Taking this view of the present and flu
ture Of keokuk, submit nv views of some
matters which relate to her present and ru-
ture interest, with view Of directing the
Council to Their especial consideration
THE EXTENSION oF THE CITY LIMITS.
The old city lim;ts have been entirely sur
rounded with addition, that are rapidly ex-
tcul3ng, and already CONTAIN large portion
OF the population lhat actually participate in
ul, our associated interests The same wharf
the same approach to tie river, the same ad-
vantage Of markets. the same churches, the
same schools, and even the gas lights reflect
upon us similar advantages. The additions
are equally interested in our future prosperl-
| ity, and trust the proprctors and inhabi-
tants Of these exterior portions will cordially
/ approve Of any law that will at an early dav
incorporate them with US, so that they NAV
| share the coil, expense, and honor OF our
struggle with distinguished and untirine rival
/ cities. To secure fair and full enumeration,
TO give scope to wholesome police regulations,
TO extend street improvements so as TO in
crease the convenience Of egress and ingrcss,
we should have all the surrounding additions
included in the corporate limits; and | sub
nit to the Council an early examination Of the
laws which seem TO require special Legislative
revision, in order to secure this extension,
which all must regard as just and e1pediunt.