The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-10

" t
Tho Improvement Clause.
received since the publication Of our last
paper confirms us in the impression we then entertained
that Mr.. Nininger, has no disposition to release any
parties from the full effect Of the improvement clauses
contained in their deeds. Inquiry has been made a,
MIR. N'ninger's Office, and although Mr.. N. is now on
his way eastward, those having charge of his business
have stated that no such release has been executed to
their knowledge. Moreover Mr.. Nininger has denied
1t, and ne certainly is not the character of man to 90
back OF his actions or be afraid to acknowledge them.
Moreover, upon inquiry Of the gentleman said to have
been released, We find he too denies the truth of the
report. 1t was in fact nothing more than one of those
Wild rumors that floating through our little community
fell upon highly combustible materials and elected a
high degree of feeling.
One word as to these improvement clauses. While
it is natural enough that Our citizens should expect that
the agreement contained in the deeds of those who
purchased, subject to covenant to improve, should be
complied with, there must, at the same time, be a degree
OF consideration and moderation exercised in all things.
Our citizens must not lose sight of the fact that since
those covenants were entered into a fearful and desola-
ting money crisis has fallen upon the land, that has in
a great measure done away with the power on the part
OF the best disposed to comply fully with the terms Of
their contracts. They must remember that this is the
era OF extended notes and overdue mortgages, and that
the best among us cannot do all they would desire to do.
Mercy, therefore must be shown. When parties have
taken upon themselves to erect, during the year 1858,
twenty or thirty thousand dollars worth of improve.
ments. and now. in consequence of the Widespread re-.
vulsion in business, find themselves unable so to do, We
of Nininger, should be satisfied to see them do The brst
thy possibly c"n, and then have another year given
them for still further improvements. This will be
mercy and justice to them and ut the same tiuc be
OF no disadvantage to ourselves; because it is much
better for our solid AMI substantial growth that the
Improvements equaling in the aggreg tie between two
hun ired and three hundred thousand dollars should be
over two or even three years, than that they
should be all crowded into one, thereby giving the town
an unnatural growth during a short period of time and
leaving it destitute of internal force afterwards.
Neither must it be forgotten by our citizens that we
must undoubtedly grow up to greatness independently
of all external aid from these improvement clauses. We
have attained such a degree of population already; we
present so many great natural advantages our levee is
excellent, our plateau unequalled for building purposes
on the Mississippi, and our site is healthy and bcauti-
full besides this, our property is still cheap, and We
possess within ourselves a degree of native strength and
energy that have already drawn to VA the attention of
the Who'll; co~untry-Nininger is already the synonym,
in Minnesota, FIR energy and enterprise. We already
know Of hosts of people, relatives and friends of those
now here, who, on the opening of navigation, will seek
this locality for u home. The ~emigrant on the boats
steaming up the river, will, in consequence of numbers
of trees having been cut down, have a fair view of the
part of the town already built up-thcy will also see
our laborers busy as bees digging, hauling, and carting
on our levee, and they will say 70 themselves, the past
is the guarantee for the future The town which, within
one year and a half could raise itself from nothing to
this position, cannot fail Of subsequent success.
In view Of these things We can afford to be merciful
to improvers. We have, in their improvement clause,
a mine Of wealth to the town, but it is not necessary it
should be all expended at once,-we can husband our
resources and make them 60 further. Moreover, we
nope, at the proper time to hear our citizens speak out
so as best to direct the channel of these improvements
to the advantage of the town and the profit of the i'm
proven. Houses are MT what we want-tenements
without tenants would be an injury to US. We want
that which will create business-for with business comes
population, and with population houses. We must not,
by creating the appearance Of the result, imagine that
we can produce the cause. It may be that one tt ousand
dollars laid out in manufactures would 60 further to
benefit our citizens than three thousand employed in
the erection of houses, and at the same time much bet
ter rcmunerate the party making the investment.
Let US, therefore, first, show moderation to those who
are disposed to do as they have agreed, but cannot.
Second, let US be satisfied to see the promised improve
ments extended over a greater space Of time, confident
that a proper use Of our native strength will still bear
US on in our course Of prosperity. Third, let US study
out in what way the improvement clauses can most ad-
vantage the town.
In the meantime we rest contented in our belief that
Mr.. Nininger is emi"cntly Il business man, AMI there
fore a man Of his word, and that he will strictly adhere
to his promise to Mcssrs. Case and Robertson. and that
no more releases will be made by him.
The Board of County Commissioners. for Dakota.