The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-05-09

States, with population OF nearly
FIVE thousand, l am proud to say as
prosperous TO day as any in the State
of Michigan, now in its twenty-fifth
year as an incorporated city. While
its growth has not at any time been
rapid yet it has grown steadily and
beautiful in every respect.
The great care taken by our early
city Fathers to plant the twigs that
now afford us the beautiful shade
and protect our homes from wind and
drought, as we'll as beautify our streets,
ought to encourage every good citi-
zen or owner of a lot to plant all the
ground will permit. | would urge
you to encourage all Of this work the
law will allow. Our school manage
ment, which is said to be among the
best in our State, surely does great
credit to our teachers and the Board,
as we'll as the city.
We have seven churches with lib
eral and attentive congregations, each
led by an excellent pastor.
The respective sabbath schools,
that guide the young and lead them
in paths of morality and virtue. re-
ceive the unqualified commentator
of the community.
Our three ably conducted weekly
papers do great credit to their editors
and proprietors.
Our railroads, with the com
pletion of the T. A. A. & NJ, road
south, will give us transportation
second to none in Central Michigan.
The complication of the so.called
railroad aid" pledged last year, needs
your very careful consideration, as
there are almost as many different
views of the matter as there voters in
the city. And for our great benefit
and harmony, l would urge every
reasonable action possible to encour-
age the company to complete the
road south as speedily as possible.
There is room for great deal of
earnest work to encourage manufac-
turers to locate here. With our rail-
roads south we shall have shipping
facilities second to no inland city in
the State, and with proper effort, we
can greatly increase our manufactures
which are now upwards Of twenty,
employing several hundred men,
meaning growth and prosperity to
every city. I am happy to say our
manufactures now are among the
most prosperous for the branch Of
industry they represent that are on
this continent. Capital paid to hon.
est labor is the best use that was ever
made of it. Honest labor is entitled
to its just reward, and capital should
receive fair share of the profits;
each being mutually dependent on
the other, and equal justice should
be rendered to both.
l think our arms should be stretched
far and wide with welcome hand TO
every manufacturer that can be in
duced to locate with us. Our city
has been liberal in this way, and with
the best returns for the investment
she has ever made, in my view, and
there is room for more.
would recommend every reason
able encouragement to any gas com.
pany that will supply us with conven-
lent and valuable light; telephone, or
district telegraph, or any company
for any needed public improvement.
l would also recommend your
careful thought and Investigation in.
to the matter of water works. This
is almost an immediate necessity for
the protection of our property and
welfare of our beautiful city.
Few enterprising cities the size of
ours, made up with as energetic peo-
pie, are without some system of wat
er works. In fact, our homes and
property are not safe without it. A
liberal fire in one of our blocks or
factories would damage our city more
than the entire cost of necessary wat
er system under late improved meth
DDS. We cannot afford to do with.
out it. 1t can be accomplished, I
think with some system that will
meet the approval of the people and
so the use will pay the outlay and the
burden not be felt upon us.
The important matter of sewerage
some of you have struggled with dur
ing the past year, but for the present
disposed of, I would ask a careful
continuance Of your thoughts upon
this subject, as it is an early necessity
for the health and prosperity of our
city.
Fire department. The city has,
fortunately, been comparatively free
from destructive fires the last year,
or, might say, for years past. Our
fire department has given good salts
faction with our increased facilities
to dispatch our equipments.
Now, hope we can improve the
future f.om the past.
This is very important part of our
city duty. We need the best talent
| that can be got to manage and look