Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-05-08

S~Sp ~ -
CsTY o. DAVENPORT.
PRLDAY MORNING.. MAYS, 1851.
me ssse. 900 LOAN.
W. confess to a more than ordinary
anxiety, concerning the result Of the
vote " be taken upon the question Of
y loan for macadamizing, paving gut
ters, water works, &c, and earnestly
urge every voter, before making up
his mind, to look at the subject, from
no narrow or selfish point of view,
but to remember the present condition
Of our city, its struggles TO maintain
ascendancy v e its numerous rivals,
and the absolute necessity for perma-
mcnt improvements, to secure the pop
ulation, trade, aud attractivcness, re
quisitc 10 that end. So far as We have
been able To learn the temper oil the
people, there IL a most decided enthu-
siasm for not only making the improve
ments provided for in the proposed
loan, but also other improvements,
that will leave il, beyond u doubt, that
Davenport is bound to be the Queen
City Of the State, for every purpose
desirable TO every class. Not only
ought We TO be able 10 boast Of the
healthfulncss Of u invigorating eli
mate, and the sublimity Of our land
scape scenery, but we should be able
TO point the stranger TO our streets,
Levee, water works, sidewalks, fire
representatives., gas lights and railroads,
and say to him with a truthfulncss war
rantcd by facts, that ours is the city
for him TO select for business. II is with
a just pride that We a even now see a
sc"'. "early Of spires pointing upwards
from 30 many Temples Of religion, and
large, and costly, well CONSTRUCTED ..hool
houses, Scminaries and Colleges, fol
the education Of both sexes; but this is
not enough. True it is, We continue
70 increase in population at the rate o.
fifty per cent per annum, but will moi
all this stop,untess "e present eqaaf o.
superior Inducements 10 immigrants
from the eastern states 10 those Of on
riroispresenH Thousands comcto low;
with no fixed place Of settlement, M
these will settle where the Signs o
progress give assurances Of rapi'
growth for the future. Let o
real estate ask themselves the question
whether in a city Of $4,000 population
real estate is not worth a great dea
more Than it is in one of 10000. lie
them also remember that population
gathers around great centers Of trad,
and trade will be built up only whcr
there are Inducements anu facilities 70
its operation. VIZ feel that our cit
is in danger Of the Indifference of II
inhabitants upon this subject. "
are now far ahead Of all rivals, occup
the central locality on n great highwa
from New York TO California, an
emincntly blessed with all the mater
ais for the speedy attainment Of a
eminencc that will enrich our people
and secure them a residence which the
would not willingly exchange fol an
other.
On former occasions, when a vot
has been taken upon the question of
loan, a few designing rich old fogie'
have been successful in inducing larg
numbers of poor men, to vote agains
the loan, when their interests lay in a
opposite direction. Why should til
poor man vote against the loanl II
does not pay the taxes assessed 70
paying the annual interest upon tn
loan. lie is in no way a loser. Blu
he is often induced to go and vot
against the loan, merely to please hi
rick employer. Let every poor ma
who votes, vote with a clear under
standing Of the Importance of the pro
posed improvements, and the employ
ment which the labor upon these i'm
provcmcnts will give ~ hundreds o
poor men. Because a man has NJ
real estate, that is no reason for hi
manifcsting indifference concerning tn
prosperity, glory and healthfnlness o
the place in which he resides. Let
full and fair discussion be had, and At
ter that, We hope that every man vii
be prudent enough to e that unles
we make these permanent improve
mcnts, we must consent to see Davcn
port slide back in the ranks of he
rivals, and from being the most popu
lous and prosperous become the leas
20 Of any Of those now striving to out
strip us.
Council Proceedings.