Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-06-14
EXTENSION OF CrrY LIMITS.

city election is to be held to extend
the city limits. It is very proper that
it should be discussed and thoroughly
understood. 1t is highly proper that
we should have good vote on that
day, and careful, candid, intelligent
expression of the views of the people.
We have not examined with much care
the extent Of the proposed addition to
our city limits, but from map sur
vey of it, we find that such an extcn-
sion would make our city limits en-
brace about four and onc-quarter
sections Of land, or in round numbers,
2,7OO acres. Comparing our limits
thus extended, with those of other
cities of Iowa, generally, and ours
would not be considered large. Still,
we do not care to speak at this time
as to what shall be the precise limits,
but generally, upon the subject. We
have been for years represented in
both the Federal and State censuscs
as having about one-third less popu-
lation than we ought to have. The
area of the present corporation, we
should estimate at about four hundred
acres. There is, outside the city, a
population Of about three thousand,
who are, in all but name, as much
residents of the city as those who live
inside. All property contiguous to
the present corporation gets ninety
per cent. of its marketable value from
the fact that it has such proximity to
a live, prosperous city, filed with en-
terprising citizens. The merchant,
professional man or mechanic who
lives just outside the city limits,
makes his money within the city. The
improvements, manufactures, &c, of
various kinds, going on within the
city, furnish employment for hum
dreds of ofindustrious men whose resi-
dence is just outside the city. 1t does
seem to us that if those who live in
the suburbs could just reflect that
they are indebted to the city for their
employment, they would not object
to become of us in name and for the
purpose of taxation, and SO help along
in the work of building up here what
is to be one among the few prominent
cities in the State. To all those living
just outside of the city, but welded to
it socially and in business way, just
as much as those inside the corpora
ton, we would say let it be a fact
you are telling when abroad and you
are asked to tell your place of resi-
dence, and you answer, Ottumwa.
Don't take on the name, and glory in
the beauty, growth and prosperity of
Ottumwa, and at the same time avoid
paving the small pittance of taxes to
aid in keeping up the good name and
importance of the city. 1t may seem
a small thing whether our city is 10
figure in an official census at 1900 or
10000, but it is not. We have a pop
nlation of about 1000 residing i'm
compactly built quarters of the city,
who are not inside the corporation.
In this regard, we venture to say
there is not another city i'm the State
SO situated. If the proposed new linn
its seem large just at this time, very
few years, indeed, will put a far diff
ferent aspect upon it. AS city, we
are rightfully entitled to population
of 10000. We have it. and let it here
after be shown. This city. by 1880.
with a fair showing as to corporate
limits, will appear in the Federal
census as a city of from 1900 to 90
600 inhabitants. We certainly ought
not to indulge in any cramped, mar
row policy that will never give us
decent and fair representation.
The citizens alike of the proposed
addition, as well as those living in
the present corporation, can vote on
the question of extension, and every
voter in the proposed corporation
should be at the polls and vote on
this important question.