Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-01-01
What of the Future OF Knoxville?

not apparent, 1t was not given to its read
ers. The CHRONICLE, 1 am happy to
know, never closes its columns to we'll
intended efforts to benefit the public. On
this account it deserves liberal patronage
TVhdtof the Future of Eno1ViHes There
is not a citizen but what should feel pro-
found interest in the solution of this ques-
ton. 1t is one that comes home with pro-
digious weight to us all. There is a vague
notion floating about among us that its flu
lure is TO be enc 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.
We have but the ona reply to all such
prophetic conclusions, and that IL, 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 outgiyings
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
tdW-another to act. If Knoxville is to be-
come large and prosperous city, we must
make up our minds to labor for 1t, and to
eXpend a vast deal ofmoney. There is no
railroad leading iii direction. Every
step of the way must be marked by inces-
SAINT toll, and by liberal and judieious 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 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 curry 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 revolve in their own
spheres. For the purpose of sustaining
and fostering some manufacturing interest,
we know a number of business men who
could well 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 1t. 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 profiered to take stock? Wbatsuc-
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 curtalllng 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 a 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 1t, 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 judicious 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 az
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