Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-07-01

CrYY PnosrEcrs. don't Ike to hear
persons everlastingly grumbling about the
city Of Davenport, and prophesying al
sorts Of disasters in store for her, neither do
We like to keep crosking ourselves; but,
really we are Of the opinion that our citi-
zens fold their hands to sleep too often and
wake up not often enough.
About once year We get aroused on the
subject Of additional railroad facilities hold
three or four meetings in rapid succession,
work OF considerable gas in the way Of sun
dry speeches; keep up the excitement
couple Of weeks, then sleep over it the othsr
fifty. So, too, on the canal question; we
make an effort at securing . survey for
water outlet across to the Illinois, then to
Chicago BY canal-and it is . matter Of the
most vital importance, but after exhausting
the usual amount Of steam, the excitement
subsidies; and notwithstai ding sufficient
funds have been raised during the earnest
action, no effort is made to secure that sur
vey We work well enough while the fever
is on, but We fall asleep too quick, and sleep
too long. Who is to be blamed Some
will say that the newspapers don't do their
duty? That is not SO. Even if they never
said another word upon the sub ject, the
people have no excuse in that direction, for
every man in Davenport, who is not nat
ural born fool, knows what the duty Of this
people 10 regarding the canal and railroad
enterprises. Newspapers may blow with
oil their might, and keep it up until the
crack Of doom, but it will avail nothing un-
less the people will do their duty after they
are taught what it is.
expense Of having preliminary survey of
the proposed canal made, If the State appro-
priation for that purpose can't be reached;
but what's the use Of being willing unless
some action is taken to put it through ?
We are expecting too much for too little.
If man wants horse he wants him to the
extent Of certain amount Of money, which
be is willing to pay, and SO with other
things. Now, how much do we want in
creased eastern railroad facilities? There is
road coming right down the river on the
east side-will come to Rock Island il it can
be made advantageous; now how much
do our citizens want that railroad -
How much in dollArs and cents p
We hear merchants say that = competing
line Of rail between this point and the east
would be of iucalculable advantage to the
commerce Of Davenport, but how much are
we I'll willing to give for ''incalculable ad-
vantages?' Ordinarily man would ''go
his whole pile" on benefits Of that stamp !;
but will our monied men give one hundred
Thousand dollarss Will Davenport mer-
chants and business men, for the sake Of
gaining possession Of what they esteem and
name "incalculable commercial advantages" +"
fork over the sum Of One Hundred Thou
sand Dollars in Cash? The question is
practical-eminently SO. In other matters
we are willing to pay literally and even ex-
horbitantly for what we esteem great 3D.
yantagcs or great luxuries. Now will our
people pay the above sum for the object
named? We can answer it, and answer
right, too. No not hundred thousand
dollars nor tenth Of it. Why? We don't
know exactly, but We can imagine. As
much as they talk about ''incalculable ad.
vantages" in extra rail accommodations
they can sec something that pays better in
other investments. There is any amount
Of funds here, but the holders think they
can do better than to invest in ironways OF
manufactures and just as long as they con
tinue to think that way, just SO long there
will be q great lack Of business enterpris,
in Davenport The man with five, ten, Of
twenty thousand dollars, safely invested il
Government Bonds, with no taxes to pay
no anxiety on his mind about the invest
ment-nothing to do but draw his interest
naturally thinks himself better off thar
he would be to run risks, to pay taxes,-t,
have his mind troubled with possible loss
es. Grant improvements cost money!
We expect them we must expect to spen'
money If we expect to get them withou
We may As well count upon being disap
pointed. If We will not put our shoulder
to the wheel (Which means put our hand
in our pockets and pay for what We want
buy it outright) then we need talk no NOR
about desired advantages. Action is want
ed; action availeth much. Words are q
no account when taken clear. II We van
improvements let US say, in figures, no,
much We want thcm-if not then, let u
hold our peace.
NEw SuBJscr.-"How our National Deb
may be National Blessing is the subjce
Of pamphlet Of sixteen pages just issue
by Jay Cooke. We have some on hand fo
distribution. We have not had time to ps
, ruse the work carefully but il, Is is q
legged, the "a, 600, ,OO0, 900 now owed By thi
Government, is really blessing, we al
glad-very glad to hear Of it, and woul
, suggest that no effort ever be made to %
principal or interest-becauss it to owe
large sum is really desirable, Of course I
. owe larger one would be more desirabl
yet; 90 let the interest accumulate until Y
: get all the blessing We could desire.
, Our preconceived idea has always bee
| that debts-either corporate Or private
. personal or national, are . nuisancs-th
sooner abated the better but We may hay
been misinformed, and others, also, VII
have 90 regarded the theory Of finance. W
shah Rad the disquisition, and advise otf
err to do likewise.