The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-05-23
WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR OURSELVES.

The question has been frequently
asked, "What is the railroad going to do
for us?" This question is asked by those
who think that the railroad will under
take to boom Bozeman. That they will
place their town lots on the market and
advertise broadcast the richness and fer
tility of our soil, the advantages Gala
tin valley offers to settlers, ETC., besides
what they may erect here in the way of
shops, etc. We think the sooner the
people of Bohemian and Gallatin valley
dismiss the idea that the railroad is ever
going to do more than they have done,
land that is build railroad to us and get
all the land donated to them that they
could the better it will be for us. When
that idea gets thorough possession of us,
then we will go to work and boom our
selves. It will be no bombast either, for
we have all the natural elements of
wealth needed to build up a rich and
prosperous community. As we have said
before, by reason of the small amount
Comparatively speaking) of good agri-
cultural land in Montana the time is
coming when every acre of it will be
used. The history of all agricultural dis
tricts is one of progress; they meyer die;
their wealth is never exhausted. Behind
them lies the great wealth of our country
and no conditions can destroy them.
Temporary misfortunes in the loss of
crops may of course occur. Cease think
ing and hoping then that the railroad is
going to do more than they are now do
ing. They have made it easy for immi-
grafton. They have reduced the cost of
living, They must necessarily therefore
advertise the country. 1t is their policy
to make the country through which their
road runs as widely known as possible.
Their prosperity depends upon it. We
must and shall, by reason Of superior ad-
vantages get our share Of those who are
seeking homes in the new west. So far
as the property now held by the railroad
is concerned, we do not look for them to
make any special effort to sell it, at least
until they have doomed and built up or
disposed of lots in those places which
are purely railroad towns. By this we
mean towns located on their own lands.
They no doubt think this will take care
of itself. We cannot but reap advantages
from any efforts of theirs to make this
country well known. The main object
Of this article however, was not to assure
our people how well off we were, so much
as to bring it before their minds, that
they must rely more on themselves;
must be up and doing and by every
means bring our resources and advantages
squarely to the front. Encourage and
patronlze every home industry. Give a
helping hand to every public measure
for improvement; foster spirit of liber-
atty; pull together; beautify your homes;
improve your farms, and make up your
mind that Montana is your home for all
time and not for day or year. The
great curse of new country is the old
home feeling. That you will only live
here short time to amass fortune and
20 back home. How few ever do it?
Dismiss this idea and build here for your
future, and you will be the better for it.
Are YOU not blessed? You have no cy-
clones, nor hurricanes, nor earthquakes,
no frightful epidemics, but a healthful,
pure atmosphere, and as much SUNNY
sky as any spot in our country. Let us
then rather ask ourselves the question.
What are we doing for ourselves?