The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-06-19
Table Talk,

It was bold, brash census man
Approached a lady true;
GLOW many kids said he, and she
Said, what is that to YOU"
at is nv business" and she screamed:
"Come here minute, DAM!
And a burly person came and put
A head on the census man.
The usual summer races @ have begun in this
city. The one the other day started the season
with BOOM A few more like it will be suf-
icient to forever bury the whole business. And
perhaps it wouldn't be bad contamination,
From reports made by census takers it will
probably appear that Ottawa has grown in popu.
lation little, if any, during the past ten years.
The reason therefor is not difficult Of solution.
When men have good thing they are not apt
to be looking for risks. But while we have not
gained in population, aten minutes walk around
the square will tell Of the general prosperity OF
the city's business men during the past decade
The appearance of our city contrasted with,
for example, such a city as Joliet, is one which
is highly satisfactory to Ottawa men. Viewed in
the light of fine business houses, Joliet is p
wears behind Ottawa. Indeed, an Ottawa man
could not make himself believe he could do bust
ness in the rooms of II vast majority Of Jolets
stores Of low ceilings, twelye-pane windows and
dingy fronts. As matter Of fact, the finest
store room and best appearing business house
The appearance of our city contrasted with,
for example, such city as Joliet is highly salts
factory TO Ottawa men. Viewed in the light OF
fine business houses j et is - years behind OF
tawa. Indeed an Ottawa man could not make
himself believe he could do business in the rooms
CT q vast majority Of Jolicts stores of low cell
ings, twelve pane windows and dingy fronts. As
a matter Of fact the finest store room and best
appearing business house We saw on the princi-
cipal street was given over 10 a beer saloon. We
will, however, concede that Joliet brewers can
beat Ottawa on beer,l
The contrast OF the appearance Of the two cit
les would surprise most mcn-especially as Joliet
claims to have population twice that of Ottawa.
But the secret of the matter is easily disclosed.
Joliet is surrounded by as poor farming land as
there is in northern Illinois. Her trade comes
from her own porders-the country amounts to
but little as part Of her wealth. Ottawa, on the
contrary, has about her the finest farming lands
in Illinois. In times past and doubtless it is so
now. but We have not looked into the matter, }
about one-third the grain that went into Chicago
over the canal went from Ottawa. She pays
more for grain than any city in Illinois, and con
sequently draws her trade from all parts OF a
very rich farming country. And could the mat
ter be tested by figures We believe it would be
found that such strictly manufacturing towns as
Joliet, Aurora,lL a Sale, &c, do not do anywhere
near the business las represented by dollars
that Ottawa does.
The only object Ottawa can have in encourag-
ing manufactures, then, is TO increase the value
Of her real estate and her town trade And real
estate owners are the chief ones interested in any
movement likely to bring in manufacturing es-
Establishments. 1t is worth nothing now. 1t can
be worth nothisg until manufacturing establish
ments do step in to occupy 1t.
..
1t must be conceded, however, that for the re
msrkably few advantages Joliet has to offer the