The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-01-16
Qua FUTURE.

IHC luluiC Oi Wi Saliio 0bu l1ChtOu
county. We must all use caution, adj
here to business principles, and fol
low the promptings of enlightened
consciences. We need unison and
harmony, without which all effort for
the advancement of the city and
county will be futile. This county
occupies very prominent position in
the Willamette valley, and conse.
quently wields more or less influence
in the state. Our soil is productive,
our markets good and reasonably
convenient, and now the West Side
railroad is here our shipping facilities
are largely increased. Corvallis, from
its location and river, railroad and
stage connections, will always be a
prominent factor of all that goes to
make Benton county one of the first
in the state. But in order to hold
that position and reach the pre- emf
nence that is worth striving for we
must not shut our eyes to all that
may be accomplished, and tamely
fold our arms and say let the mill
grind, it's all well enough. Such a
course will not do. Such a course
will not increase our facilities for bus
mess, nor our influence in the devel-
opment of the state of our birth OF
adoption. Have we not drifted, here
and there, long enough ? 1t appears
to us that we have. Let our business
men, as one individual, unite their
combined powers of mind and means
and each for himself make firm re-
solve tnat the little city of Corvallis
shall be something more than little
country village. containing few
stores, postoffice and hotel or two.
Wake up, fellow citizens, look about
you and see what glorious opportuni-
ties await your efforts. There is cap
ital enough here if properly directed,
to make this place resound with the
wheels of industry. Do not be con
tent to eat, sleep and work as you
did twenty years ago. Combine,
build up the wasting enterprises, or
encourage others to come here and do
it. We have, in close proximity to
this place, plenty of fruit that annu-
ally goes to waste, and large belts of
timber that eacl: year are ruthlessly
destroyed. We should utilize both of
them. The buildings and machinery
are here; butinstead of being the scene
of busy and profitable employment,
they are closed, and fast falling into
decay. Let us have these places
opened, business started and encour-
aged. Don't be too avaricious at
first. Do not expect to get 25 or so
per cent. returns for the capital in
vested the first year or two. Learn
wisdom by experience, and stay by
in storm and sunshine, and III the
future, not very distant, we shall
reap what we sow in faith and care
fully foster with our care and means.
We need a foundry and machine
shop, an agricultural implement fac
tory, where can be made plows, har-
rows, tanning mills, sulky rakes, &c.
The timber is at our very doors. We
can dry and ship many tons of the
finest fruits that can be found in any
market. We need vinegar factory,
in which can be utilized the peelings,
cores and waste apples.
A well organized cooper shop
would pay, where could be msnufac-
tured barrels and casks for the vine
gar, kegs for salmon and other fish.
Many who read this article will no
doubt say the GAZETTE is crazy, but
I tell you it is not. 1t is rational and
perfectly sane, it's pulse is regula,
and active, and it proposes to lend
its aid and influence to build up and
develop our town and county. You
will hear from US again on this sub
.ect, and we invite every and any
body that Is interested in these things
to use our columns to express their
views.