Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-12-27
What of the Future of KnoxYilles

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know, never closes its columns to we'll
intended efforts to benefit the public. On
this account it deserves liberal patronage
What of the Future Of Knoxville? There
is not citizen but what should feel pro-
found interest in the solution of this ques-
| ton. 1t is one that comes home with pro-
digous weight to US all. There is vague
notion floating about among US that its fu-
ture is to be one of unprecedented prosper
| ity +; but how it is to be accomplished, or
by what means or appliances this stu
pendOus result is to be achieved, no one
seems to know, precisely. By common
consent, however, it is generally under
stood and conceded that such will be the
| case. = EEfEE~ r s
We have but the one reply to all such
prophetic conclusions, and that is, that if
Knoxville is dependent upon means like
| those for its future growth and prosperity,
it will be long time before that period
shall arrive. Such oracular Outgivings
never yet built up a city. Fortune does
not deign to bestow her smiles and her
| benedictions upon those who will not
strive to work, and to carve out their own
| destiny. We have been too prone to mag
Nifty our future prospects in the absence of
corresponding struggle to secure them.
| Our faith has not been established by our
works, unfortunately. 1t is one thing to
tdkE-anOther to act. If KnOXvil is to be-
come large and prosperous city, we must
make up our minds to labor for it, and to
expend a vast deal of money. There is no
railroad leading in this direction. Every
| step of the way must be marked by inces-
| SAINT toll, and by liberal and judicious ex-
penditures of our means. Our business
| men and our capitalists cannot hope to see
| this city extending her area and widening
| the circle of her business operations, SO
| long as they continue to absorb
| their capital in their own private under
| takings. When they become so complete
| ly pre-engaged with their own operations,
| to the utter neglect of the public welfare,
persistently declining to contribute any
| aid, whatever, to enterprises calculated to
build up the city, what right have we to
| conclude that we are to become prosper
Gus? The great fact must be learned and
| appreciated that private enterprises must
| be, to some extent, subOrdinated to public
ones. In other words business men should
not finch from parting with a portion of
their capital in order to sustain such
enterprises as will promote the general
good.
We lack this in Knoxville. In some
other cities of the Union, it is not so.
| They band together and concentrate their
energies and their capital to carry forward
some manufacturing interest. In this
they are controlled by high order of
business instinct, and are certain of reap
ing an abundant harvest of success and
prosperity. We are free to assert that
Knoxville can never advance be-
yound her present landmarks
so long as her merchants, mechanics and
capitalists continue to reyolve in their own
spheres. For the purpose of sustaining
and fostering some manufacturing interest,"
we know number of business men who
could we'll afford to advance from five to
ten thousand dollars each, never again to
be returned to them either in the form of
stock, interest or principal. Such an adj
vancement would enhance their real estate
vastly beyond the amount thus advanced
and increase their business operations in
the same ratio.
But they need not do this. They are
not expected to do it. There are compe-
tent and enterprising men, at home and
abroad, who would gladly pay them a
reasonable interest upon any capital they
might advance, or issue stock that would
pay them much higher rates in the earn
ings of the business. In this city we have
manufacturing establishments, in active
operation, known to be sound, well man.
aged and yielding remunerative dividends,
that would rejoice to make such an ar
rangement How have they been met?
Who of our monied men have stepped for
ward and proffered to take stock? Whatsuc-
cor have they afforded in any way? Have
they acted wisely in this thing? Have
they not been in their own light? We
think so. Two or more injurious results
are likely to follow this mistaken policy.
| first, the curtaIllng of their own business
second, depreciating the value of rents and
of real estate; and, third, checking the
growth and prosperity of the city.
1t must be borne in mind that this city
| is not a commercial one, in the proper con-
struction of that term, and can never be-
come one. Hence, it were unwise to waste
| time and money in striving to give her
this character and to send her forward in
this channel. Hers is q different destiny
altogether. Nature intended that she
should be manufacturing point, and one
of great significance, provided her citizens
choose to make her so. All depends upon
| this, of course. But we shall not enlarge
on this matter. What we have asserted is
easy of demonstration, and we stand pre-
pared to prove it, if denied.
1t occurs to us that the Board of Trade,
| composed, as it is, of the best business
element we have, could not perform a
wiser and more iudiciOus act than to
give this matter their most thoughtful
consideration. Nothing would be more
appropriate for them than to devise "ways
and means" whereby capital could be ag-
gregated for the purpose of either aiding
manufacturing establishments already in
existence, among us, or of starting others.
They could not deliberate upon question
of greater magnitude, and one involving
such vast consequences to this city. They
could afford to work at this matter and
nothing else, for the next twelve months.
If they will take hold of it in earnest. and
do SO at once, it seems to us they will not
be half so long in maturing and crOwning
their plans with abundant success. What
says w. w. Woodruff, Esq. the energetic
and intelligent President of the Board of
Trade? We all know that gentleman.
He has enlarged and progressive views
upon all questions affecting the welfare of
Knoxville. Will the members of the
Board sustain him? We have no doubt
they will. Then, spring this question at
an early day. Bring it up in the form of a
| molten resolution or in any way that