Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-24
TOLEDO.
Its Grain Market, Railroad System,
Location, Trade, 6c---SpaeiOus Ele-
yatOrS---Ense-prise and Energy
Daily Papers, &c.

I
from an 0ccasionAl Correspondent
TOLEDO, April %, 1866.
As Clevelander 1 was somewhat dis
posed to be jealous of our neighbor on tn
Maumee, to-day, upon viewing the re
sources and activity of the business por
tion ofthe city. Toledo assumes to be thu
second grain market in the world, defer
ring only to Chicago. Certainly her ter
immense grain elevators, capable of stor,
ing many millions of bushels, her great
aud growing railroad system, her excellent
harbor, her canals, her position as the
natural outlet of vast agricultural re-
gion, and the activity, energy, enterprise
and capital of her business men, entitle her
to rank as one of the most important little
cities in the Union. The grain trade is by
far the largest item in the business
of the city,. The Wholesale trade, though
growing, is still in its infancy. 1t was set
down last year, however,'at eleven millions
no mean amount in comparison with
.
One dead weight which Toledo has hith-
erto carried Las been habit of its citizens
patronizing firms abroad, to the neglect of
those at home. Her retail merchants have
purchased stocks elsewhere; builders from
Detroit and Chicago have been employed;
and her City Fathers" have contracted
with non-residents for the construction of
the Nicholson pavement on the prin-
cipal streets. She is ahead of Cleveland,
however, in this, that she has Nicholson
pavement, which, by November, will cover
all the main thoroughfares and one re-
liable firm, Sprague & Crooker, have as a
distinguished Magyar said, "tsken time
by the hair" and fortified themselves
against further raids from "foreipn" in
vaders by introducing the latest improve
ments in their business as roofers. The,
have everything needful for the proseeu-
tion of their specialities, including plastic
slate, for the substantial and useful build
ings, and sheet slate for fancy" Were
this example followed by the business men
of the city generally, even the present
rapid growth OF Toledo would be greatly
accelerated.
In the beginning of the building of To-
ledo the land cob. prising the present city
site was purchased by a company Of
shrewd Yankee capitalists in Hartford,
Connecticut. About the came time an
other company, under the lead of Erastus
Corning, invested in "city property at
Maumee eight miles further up the river,
whilst still third body of " knowing
ones bought and laid out Manhattan,
few miles below. These men all knew
that large city would ultimately spring
up at this end of Lake Erie, and each |
company believed itself in possession of |
the Eldorado. The founders of Maumee |
expended large sums in erecting fine |
blocks for the accommodation the 'com- |
ing" population. In those days canals |
made and unmade cities, after the manner |
Of railroads in the present generation, and |
he Maumee canal-still a great channel |
IF commerce-was in process of construc- |
ion, but the exact location of its northern |
erminus had not been determined. |
While the Maumees relied on their spa
,ious buildings to bring the canal to
hem, and the Msnhsttans trusted to the
natural advantages of their location.
he willy Yankees spent their money in q
more practical manner, and, beckoning
With a golden wand, said to the 'rRging
allow this way" and ii
lowed Maumee is now q well-fnished |
own, and Manhattan a very desirable
,oint for rural residence. l understand |
hat the Street Railroad Company are pro-
oosing to "annex" the latter place. and
.dmit the staid Manhattans to full fellow
hip with their go-ahead neighbors.
Toledo boasts two daily newspapers
The EUeni'sg Blade is the pioneer, and is
t present edited by Mr.. l. R. Locke,
whose ecclesiastic cognomen is Rev. Pc
roleum V. Nasby. The fine satire of
Sasby has caused that gentleman to be
lassed as a radical, and yet the Blade has
lot generally been regarded as a radical
'aper, in the proper sense of the
word. 1t supported President johnson
n his Freedmens Bureau veto, apologized
or many other of his shortcomings, and
ccepted portion of his arguments in
be Civil Rights veto, though condemning
be latter as a whole. Now, however, it
) very severe npon the man who "mends
,reecbes" This does not look like con-
istency, but Mr.. Locke is sincere in the
,elief that his course was the correct one.
We can at least confidently hope that the
Blade will be right in the future.
The Morning Commercial the recog-
lized exponent of the sentiments of the
Unionists who stand BY the
oyal majority in Congress, is presided
,ver editorially by General Sherwood,
ate of the 23d Army Corps, and Mr. Sur
ace, formerly of the Cincinnati Gazette
10Th able journalists. Gen. Sherwood
erved long and faithfully (entering the
eFvice in a subordinate capacity in
rushing out rebellion and slavery, and
las now no sympathy with any "policy"
,slcuIated to throw away the victories of
he war by admitting to the halls of Con-
:ress men whose hands are imbrued in
he blood of the nations defenders. He
s rot only fine writer and a courteous
but an uncompromising cham
zion Of freedom and the right. We are
Had 20 learn that the Commercial is pros
lering financially, its managers having
,laced it upon sound basis.
Truly, ID.