Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-04-30
Our Future.

Editor Republican,
With a view trying to awaken some in
terest in the minds of our citizens in the
future welfare of our city respectfully ask
space in your columns. That there is
something wrong is evident to all and i.
becomes our duty TO look the matter care
fully over and endeavor if possible TO apply
the proper remedy. Let US look for mo-
ment at our situation. We have a city
of some ten thous nd inhabitants surround
ed on all sides by the best farming lands
in the northwest with a river running
through the city giving water power at
three different points. We have Railroads
running in FIVE different directions thus
giving US every possible facility for recev
Ing and shipping Merchandise and manu-
featured goods. With our churches of every
denomination, two colleges and system of
graded schools, our religious and educa-
tional advantages are unsurpassed. Our
location is such that with it's perfect DRAM
age and abundant supply of pure water we
have without question the most healthy
city in the whole west. Now in the face
of all these advantages why is it that we
losing population aud con sequeutly ealth
THAI such is the case can be seen by any
r1ox ii fhav e.
of serious thought. That the times are fear
fully hard not only wit h US but all over the
country we must admit. For proof of
this look at our almost deserted streets
talk with what few farmers that come in
and then step into our stores and business
places and note the quetude prevailing,
notice the light stocks and few clerks and
the almost entire absence of customers and
the conviction that the times are hard will
strike you most forcibly. Why is it that
such large proportion of our Mechanics
and laboring men Lave left family and
home and gone to other places while others
are only waiting long enough to get means
to follow? Why is it that Real Estate
cannot be sold at any price, that few com.
paratively are buying lots and building,
that our lumber dealers are idle our carpen-
sers gone and a general feeling of depres-
sion prevails? The reason of all this is
because we are not manufacturing city
and are doing nothing to keep our people
employed or to add to our population We
are told, and there is no reason to doubt
it, that there is plenty Of capital here to
use and there is any amount more than
would come if once a step was taken in the
right direction We know that we have
everything in our favor as manufacture
ing shipping point, only once get capital
at work under careful management, we
know an effort must be made in earnest and
soon. Organize Watertown Manufacture
ing Company, select good men to manageit
let everybody take stock and Whatever it
may be, leather factory, paper MILL wooden
mill, wholesale Boot l. Shoe factory, musi-
cal instruments, furniture, farm wagons or
any kind Of agricultural implements it can
be made grand success, and would be
followed by other companies in other lines,
beneftting the farmer, merchant, capita
list, real estate owners, mechanic, lumber
dealer, miller, laborer and every businers
interest, making our city what it sho1ld be
the leading inland city in the State. Now
let each and every one agitate and en-
courage some movement in the direction
named set capital at work instead of
locking 1t up in government bonds and We
shall soon see q decided change for the
better. BADGER.