The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-06-13
A Means of fCounteracting High Rents.

I
We reverted at length day or two since
on the advantages a Building association
would be productive of to all classes OF our
city population. The suggestion, We are
glad to say. has been favorably received
But it is to be hoped that it will not here
rest 4 scheme or movement of SO much
real advantage and use to every body, ought
certainly to be carried out Not only the
| capitalist should use his exertions to see it
! in operation, but every mechanic, clerk, citl-
zen, or laborer, who needs for his family a
neat, comfortable and cheap home, is direct
ly interested in such an enterprise.
1t is almost impossible for a married me-
chanic, one with no family to provide for, to
pay such rents as are asked here for shan
ty-tenement Of say couple OF rooms. We
knew many who would have made valuable
, citizens. aud contributed by enterprise, in.
telligent labor and industry, to the wealth
and prosperity Of our city, who, unable to
support their families at the present prices
of living, and, high rents, have refused to
settle here, or having tried it for short
time have gone back. These things demand
serious attention from our "leading men,"
the capitalists and house-owners OF our city.
How long will it be before an emigration of
artisans and mechanics, that class of all 9TH
crs invaluable to our growing city; take
place from it? 1t may occur, and i'll betide
the reckless course which shall force them
into such wholesale exodus. Let the ad-
vantages offered to such settlers be such as
would rather attract them to our city in
st ,ad Of presenting discouraging picture for
future success when arriving, or drive them
away despairng of it, after short trial.
We are earnest in forcing this subject on
the notice Of our readers, because We believe
!. to be Of vital Importance to all Of our
rit'zens. We now present IN connection
With thss appeal, a few views On the proper
mean> to be taken to countcract the disas-
;nous effects Of high rents, and afford en-
enlargement to strangers to make our city
tleir home.
First.--A Building association, would, if
rightly organized, afford cheap, neat, roOmy
and comfortable homes for two or three
thousand more of population, such as would
be contented with cottage or small dwell
ing, and who would be Of value and use to
our city. We have, in Thursdays paper,
given our full views on this subject, and need
not repeal them at length. The plan is per-
fcctly practicable, and will beyond doubt
effect the object designed. The extent we
proposed would about supply the need Of
the times. Private building enterprises
would ais, keep pace with the transient
demand for room, when this scheme has been
completed. This would give employment to
great amount Of builders and mechanics
and artisans Of all kinds. Furnishing the
tenements would create business for the
stores. and in fact all kinds of trades and
business would be benefited thereby. Nor
would the association interfere with the pri
yate buSines or contracts of our builders
and architects. With such forward i'm
pulse as would be given to business and la
Dor by the building of so many houses, and
the employment at good wages of SO many
mechanics, the demand for buildings would
be greater than ever--a heartily and vigorous
growth would commence all over the city
which would always afford the most remu-
erative and constant employment to all ar
chitects and builders, inasmuch as year after
year, the character Of buildings grows more
| and more elegant, costly, and massive. Our
mechanics need not fear, with three such
building associations but what they will have
their hands always full. It's effect on our
city would be magical. Unoccupied and va
cant quarters would be covered with tasty
dwellings. 1t would give real value to pro-
perty. much of which has now a fictitious
valuation put on it. Let us have the Bull
ding Associatioa by all means.
Sccond: By the building of a few 'model
Lodging Houses" which private enterprise
| could do a great many small families would
be provided with cheap and comfortable
homes which they might not be able to
procure otherwise. TIE plan of hese hou
ses is so well known to every one who has
lived in the cities of the f st, We need not
describe them here. Private capital would
bc sufficient to construct these, and they
| certainly would be remunerative as money
at ''thrce per cent. a month";" provided pre-
sent rates of rem were charged. Let us
have also a lew 'model Lodging Houses"
Third, We he.utily favor suggestion first
gwen III TIE Pioneer, Of our capitalists, sub
| livi>lon-Owners, and extensive lot owners in
tn city, selling lots suitable for erecting
mall dwellings On, to mechanics and art-
Lans, at such rates and on such easy terms
hat they would te enabled to pay for them
cut of the savings of their wages. This is
certainly an excellent move and all honor
should be gwen to the person who will first
undertake it. BY such a course, very ma
ny parts now vacant would soon be cover
ed with happy. even elegant "homes of the
people" 1t would encourage this class to
feel an interest in the prosperity and welfare
Of our city. They would labor zealouslJ to
secure their homes-the rum shops or idle
amusements would engross no more Of their
evenings after such an object was offered for
their economy. 1t would give us a sober,
intelligent and industrious population, which
now, unattached by any consideration to
our city, is but transient and wandering, Ii.
able to an exodus at any time. Let us, then
have these cheap lots, easy terms of pay
ments. and secure valuable class of popula-
ton.
We have thus at length presented some
points of vi.ag interest to our citizens. 1t re.
mains to be seen whether they will carry
out these practical suggestions to success
full issue, or whether we will have for sew