The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-07-01
A GOOD IDEA.

A gentleman writing from Mishicott
to tie Chronicle makes the following
sensible suggestions, which we hope to
see acted upon ere the close of the sum-
mer. The attention of our former read
ers is especially directed to it for their
sober reconsideration:
But there is one subject in
which the farming community in this
am surprised that it has not sooner en-
gagged the attention of our people. Ire
fer to the subject of manufacturing
ourown agricultural implements. Man
itowoc county, agriculturally and in
point of population, productiveness
of soil, location and natural resources,
as well rs in the intelligence and enter
prise of its farmers, is not behind any
county in our growing state. It is con-
veniently located on the shores of Lake
Michigan, with two of the best harbors-
at Manitowoc and Two Rivers-that can
be found on either side of tie lake, well
supplied with timber, in close proximity
to the Superior mining regions, insnring
cheap transportation for coal or mer-
chandise from the East or South, and
offers the advantages at either Manito-
voc or Two Rivers of cheap homes,
healthy climate, good schools and mex
pensiye living.
l have no statistics by which to de-
termine the amount of money paid an
naully by the Manitowoc county farmers
for farming implements, but shall not
be accused of exaggeration when place
it at over one hundred thousand dollars.
Taking this amount, one hundred thous-
and dollars, as the Approximate sum that
is annually paid by Manitowoc county
farmers, year after year, to manufactur-
ers at other places, I ask whether it is
not worth our while to inquire if a plan
cannot be devised to make investments
| of this kind do us more good than at
present? Without going into details,
allow me, Mr.. Editor, to suggest that a
stock company could be formed with
shares, say at ten dollars each, to be tax
en- by the farmers throughout the county,
| one or more shares, according to their
means and disposition.
| A company of this kind, organized by
| the farmers themselves in SUCH way as
| to deserve and secure general confidence,
| would find no difficulty in securing the
necessary amount of capital, and the
| factory once established would prove a
paying investment to the share holders,
not only, but the money now paid by
| Manitowoc county farmers to build up
other localities would be retained at
home to improve their own section.
| Such an enterprise, carried out on a
commensurate scale would be of incalcu-
Liable benefit to this county, and would
| be sustained and patronizd by all the
| adjoining counties.
To some the question of location,
whether at Manitowoc or Two Rivers,
| would be the all important one, but in
my judgement this is n matter of triv-
ial Importance, since the building up of
either or both Of these places would be
| of benefit to the whole county Iwould
let the question of which of these places
shall secure the factory be determined
| by the amount of bonus and other in
ducements to be given by them respec-
| lively.
Now, Mr.. Editor, it must be appar-
ent to all that if anything is done in this
direction, it must be done soon. Other
places in adjoining counties are bending
every nerve to get the start of us, and
factory SO full of promise on the plan
here indicated, and which, it must be
admitted, is perfectly feasible and I'M
doubtedly practicable, will not long es-
cape the attention of some of our neigh
bors. Once established, anywhere in
another county in close proximity to the
farmers of our own, the chance for es-
tablishing similar Institution here will
be greatly lessened, if not wholly de
stroyed. What say you, farmers of
Manitowoc county? Can you not find
one of your own number to call to the
front who shall lead off in a farmers
movement looking to such grand results