The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-10-08
EDITORIAL Correspondence.
MONROE HOUSE,,
I,ou;s Sent. o. ,5S

st. Louis, Sept. q, '5S.
Conining myself entirely to christian du-
ties yesterday Sunday ] did not see nor 60
after any peculiar Sunday sights, nor did
hunt up any Lager Beer statistics. Though,
in regard to the latter point, my observation
confirms the statement OF a recent writer that
ST. Louis Is divided into two classes, TO wit
those who drink lager beer, and those who
sell lager beer. But that is nothing to me,
though ] remain firmly Of the opinion
that 'sthe party OF the FIRST part" would, in
the end, find it greatly to their advantage to
encourage the growth of the vine, and limit
their demand for good drinks to the pure
juice of the grape. Hoping that Mr.. Mas
has set me right on this question with my
German friends, have nothing more to say
on this subjectexcept to hint to Uncle John
ny, and those who, like him, are uninitiated,
that they should not pronounce lager as if
written lay-ger. (g soft.) Neither is it Ia -jer
"a like in badger,) as some pronounce it.
Always call for ''laug ger" and you will be
bar, bearing in mind that the is hard like
tho beer.
This morning had the opportunity Of RI
ding over large portion of this city, and as
my friend was hunting house, / learned the
rates of rents and saw something Of the
amount Of building going on. The result Of
my observation was rather astonishing. A
phenomenon was presented which cannot
wholly account for. While the merchants,
almost without execution, are complaining
bitterly of dull trade and hard times, rents
are enormously high. People seem to be
concentrating here from oil points Of the com.
pass. What they come for. how they live,
and what they are going to do is mystery
to the old inhabitants. But here they cpme,
and such hunting for houses never heard
of but once. The consequences is, that mig
gardly little tenements, in uninviting neigh.
borhoods, are held at $40 to $50 per month
while the Lucas dwcllings, which year o,
two ago rented for $500 to 5000 per year
now 20 for a ST. 200 to 81 200. Such price,
and such a demand Of course stimulate build.
ins immensely, and every dollar OF surplus
capital is seeking this kind Of investment. =
Now If st. Louis was rapidly and largely in.
creaslng its manufactures, we might in grea,
part account for this state Of things. Bu
such, believe, is not the fact. Her manu-.
featuring interest is by no means as large, il
4 proportion, as that Of Cincinnati, and q,
trade is extremely dull and not increasing,
do not see why very large, though perhap,
very brilliant, real-estate bubble is not beins
inflated, which in due time will burst, ex
plode, vanish into thin air, and leave tn,
blowers and operators hors du combat. Q
(being freely translased) without horse O
carriage.
True it is, st. Louis is great town ant
has an extraordinary location, Missouri is
wonderful State, Pacific Railroad will rol
a stream Of untold commerce into the lap 0
st. Louis, and so on. The possible element
Of ner greatness, as the central city Of TIL
/ North American continent, arc incalculable
But IL will take time to deveope these ele
ments. The future ST. Louis is not here Jus
yet, and there is danger that several peopl
will DO badly disapp ointed-may possible
staryo while awaiting the coming Of that fu
ture. At any rate, here is a phenomenon
which seems to me to be curious and wortl
watching.
But my time is up, and tho BUS is jus
eomidg to take US TO the Ohio and alississip
ri Railroad. 4 long night ride is before me
and If ! could only write while s'riding
raip--for know | shan't sleep much 70,
might expect to hear from me again befor
election. As ever, yours, X.