Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-30

The insufficient, in fact shabby, depot ac-
commodations in St. Paul have, for 10, these
many years, been source of sincere morti-
fcation to every one pecuniarily interested
in the city, and especially to every citizen
possessing within himself the minutest germ
of love for tasty surroundings and fitting ac-
commodations for doing that which is to be
DONE While such has been the universal
feeling among our citizens, the fact that the
railroad development centering in st. Paul
has been beyond all precedent, requiring of
the companies represented unexpected and
extraordinary expenditures to put and keep
their respective lines in shape for meeting
the constantly increasing demands made
upon them by the
RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY
tributary, has operated to produce general
acquiescence in their unsatisfactory depot
accommodations and to wait patiently for
the ''good time coming" when the railroad
management would see their way to furnish
ing the city with facilities in keeping with
it's standing as the leading commercial and
railway center of the Northwest. In aid of
this feeling of acquiescence and patient
waiting, came the fnrncial crash, and the
long years of struggling uncertainty which
followed. But the
PERIOD OF FINANCIAL DEPRESSION
has largely passed, at least so far as Mime
sofa is concerned, and the "silver lining" to
the cloud is coming to the front. In fact,
while Minnesota undoubtedly suffered tenn
porary Inconvenience and loss by the general
business stagnation of the past few years fol-
lowing the collapse of Jay Cooke and kindred
balloon operators, it is now becoming appar-
ent that in the end the State, and the entire
country going to make up the great North
west-the wheat-producing country of the
world-will be benefited by it. Through the
stoppage of manufactures and multiplicity
of other pursuits incident to the hard times,
thousands and thousands of the hone and
sinew and the intelligence of the East had
their thoughts turned to the
FERTILE PRA1R1Es OF MINNESOTA,
where they could see sure sustenance for
themselves and their households, and pros
pect for acquiring much more. Fortunately,
while the public attention was thus turned
Minnesotaward, came the departure of the
grasshopper scourge which had been affiict-
ing portions of the State for many years, and
last year. Al once immigration set in
with a rush unparalleled in the history of
the State. People came from the East, the
North and the South, from everywhere out
side of Minnesota, looking for broad acres
The majority of the new Corners brought
means with them sufficient to commence i'm
mediate farming operations. Thousands of
breaking plows were set to work turning
over the virgin soil In readiness for the COM
ing spring crop. Business of all kinds we're
given new life. Those who had success
fully buffeted the hard times began to branch
out and enlarge their operations, while new
industries sprang up on all sides. Of course,
the railroads shared in this
GENERAL REVIVAL OF PROSPERITY,
but with it came new strain upon their re-
sources Increased rolling stock had to be
provided, lines extended, branches con
structed, shops built, etc., etc., all requiring
large expenditures.
Such is the condition of affairs to-day.
The State is being rapidly developed. st.
Paul, the capital and commercial CITY. is
more than keeping pace with the develop
ment of the State and the Northwest Our
merchants, manufacturers, and all others,
having to do with the building up of the
city, met the changed condition of things
promptly. The stranger coming hither for
business OF pleasure finds long streets lined
with
SUBSTANTIAL AND EVEN PALATIAL
business houses, filled with stocks of mer-
chandlse equal to those found in the houses
of the leading commercial cities of the
country; great manufactures EMPLOYING
hundreds of mechanic; the busy hum of
traffic on all sides; fine residences; costly
school and church edifces; new buildings on
all sides in course of construction, and all
the evidences OF prosperous community,
backed by wealth and refinement, but one.
proper facilities for doing the
IMMENSE RAILROAD TRAFFIC.,
both passenger and freight, centering here.
And this brings the reporter down to the
little bit of work assigned him, to ascertain
and lay before the readers of the GLOBE the
prospects of st. Paul under the improved
condition of affairs being supplied with de-
pct accommodations in some degree COM
mensurate with it's Importance as railroad
center, and the city surroundings. It is
hardly necessary to state in this connection
that prime deslderatum in this matter. is
pooling of purposes by the differ
ont railroad homogeneous in interest.
by the erection of O grand
union depot, at least for the accommodation
of the passenger business. This is recop-
nized by the railroad arrangements as we'll
as by the business community and there is
no doubt that had not such been the case.
st. Paul would to-day DO in the possession
OF much better accommodations than it has.
Luckily for tho reporter his assignment was
followed by visit to st. Paul of
MR.. s. S. MERRILL,
general manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee
st. Paul railway, company certainly un-
Ger some obligations to st. Paul. Meeting
MIR. Merrill the reporter explained his mis-
sion, at the same time incidentally remark
ing that there was very general impression
among property owners and business men
That the city was being treated rather shah
Oily III the matter of depot accommodations
by the railroad people. Mr.. Mer-
rsPortorlal visit, at least on the subject mat
ter advanced, was ready with his reply, and
this is the way he reeled it off:
The Chicago, Milwaukee 81 st. Paul Rail-
road company is just as anxious to put ND a
connections and convenient depot in ST.
raul as any citizen can possibly be. The
building, IN fact, would have been erected
long ago had not unforeseen obstacles been
placed IN the way. Years ago the company
purchased, at an expense of about 100000.
all the property along the river front be-
tween jackson and Sibley streets, with the
exception of the lot belonging to the simp-
son heirs, and also the lot at the northwest
corner OF jackson street and the leyee. Ne
EQUATIONS were entered into with the admin
lstrator OF the Simpson estate for the pur-
chase of the remaining lot nondin1. ,.,i,..l>