The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-12
A Contrast.

A Contrast.
Nessrs Editors II hand you, enclosed, short |
sketch of the enterprising young city of New
Albany, Indiana, which desire you to publish |
not that I would disparsge Ottawa by this very
unfavorabls contrast, but that by showing how
little enterprise, energy and foresight, united
with generous liberality on the part Of her cap
italist, have built New Albany up from a mere
village on the Ohio river of but few hundred
inhabitants, in q very brief period Of time, to
city of twsnty.four thousand people The e1-
tract from an Indiana paper Is as follows:
NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.
Situated on the north bank of the Ohio river,
three miles below Louisville. on the opposite
side, at the foot of the Falls in the river near
this place, tho shallowest place in these falls
occurring about midway between this city and
Louisville, thus giving this place decided ad.
vantage over that of Louisville, and upper cities,
for shipment down the Ohio river during low
water on the falls, which makes it impossible
for even the lightest draft boats to pass either
up or down during this low tide
The present population is about $4,000 souls
fully one.half Of which are employed in manu-
factories of various kinds which are in successful
operation here This is strictly manufacturing
| staples, from rolling mills l nail factory, 2
glassworks, wooden mill, 3 Touring mills,
| steam forge works, edge.tool works, 2 furni-
ture factories, l stove foundry, soap and candle
factory, 2 sash, door aud blind mills, pottery,
9 tobacco works, with several small works of
other kinds, all of which are enjoying fine pros.
| perity and producing number one article,
| which has done much to establish the fine repu-
| tation which goods made at this place hold in
ma in tha md h
| west.
The manufacturing of this city has principally
accumulated during and since the war, stimula.
ted, no doubt greatly by the location and natural
advantages which it possesses, but more by the
enterprise and pluck of . few of the more wealthy
citizens, who, striking hands with each other,
have worked in harmony, not hesitating to step
forth with their capital into manufacturing with
young practical and driving mechanics, the lat
ter governing the manufactur. and the former
looking to the financial guidance of these various
interests, never allowing them to flag for want
| of the needful cash and thus hand in hand they
have moved along quietly but rapidly for few
short years, until now they are upon sure and
independent footing, with fine reputation and
profitable business
| Such philanthropy among capitalists is, un-
| fortunately, very uncommon, and is deserving of
the greatest success and the highest praise The
featuring will evidently be large.
Now lock at Ottawa, with greater natural ad-
vantages than almost any other inland town in
Illinois, and by far better located than New Al.
bauy, in much richer valley, and commanding
as great er u greater water power, and equal K
any in the state, with an outlet by railroads aRG
a canal 30 the great lakes east, the Illinois river
south and ives. to the Mississippi river, railroad
communication directly north, east south and
west connecting with reads in all direction:
leading to the larger cities Of the country. AL
these advantages combined with direct coEaec
ton with the lumber regions, being in the heart
of ar unsurpassed farming region, with the fur
Their fact that Ottawa is on immense coel beds
and in the centre of one of the largest coal field.
in tie state. All these advantages should make
Ottawa one of the most eopulous and prosperous
cities in the west, and yet, with all these superior
advantages, Ottawa does not increase fast il
proportion as any country town on way station
Of railroad
Something is wrong, and TIE history ara pres
ent prosperity explain it. when our neglected city
is contrasted with New Albany.
Our capitalists, with but very few exceptions
are a positive drawback to Ottawa. The are
actuated by the mos. sordid, short sighted
policy; their selfishness knows no bounds save
as much per cent. and as large pound Of flesh
IS they can possibly obtain. They watch the
poer, struggling farmer and mechanic with the
ravenous eye of the iacEall, and when his neces
sites drag him down, 60 that he falls into theil
clutches, they devour him body and bones.
Let the large moneyed men step forth will
their capital and place it in the hands Of yeuug
active, plucky mechanics, who will use it to I'D
vantage, and Ottawa will become city, not tn,
decaying town it seems TO be- have head /,
said that few funerals at some of our money
kings would not be a bad thing, but of cou-se
do not endorse that idea. though should wake
these r1en up to knowledge of what the pukl:t
think of them.
i 1t is 4 fact not we'll known to our citizens bu
which the writer can fully substantiate, that on
terprisiEg cities not far f-om US are holding OF
inducements TO our manufacturers to attrac,
them elsewhere. A certain manufacturer he.t
has been offered, if he will go to Bloomington, I
very large sum of money add ground Free a.
a bonus. A city in Iowa has proposed to another
manufacturing establishment similar offer, be-
sides both offers are backed up by capitalists VI
those places, who guarantee to loan manafse
turers any amount of money they may need IA
not to exceed eight per cent. Now is it here