The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-23
AWAKE. INDIANAPOLIS!


The people Of Indianapolis. ought to be
awake TO the fact that new era is dawning
upon lndiana's capital and should not fail to
meet the new order Of things with all the en-
ergy and enterprise that characterized Indian
apolis before the panic Of 1873 put an end,
temporarily, to the advance then being made.
Since then the city has suffered severely, but
we are again ready to go forward, and
it remains only for our citizens
to unite to that end. By ooperation there is
no doubt that the industrial interests Of the
city can be speedily and greatly developed.
The city's shipping facilities, its central loca-
ton, the protection and encouragement it af-
fords to all its industries, the healthful senti-
ment of the people here, and the fact that
here is located the largest city in the State,
and that so large a percentage of its working
people own their own homes, all unite to
make this location desirable to any man or
corporation to embark in business.
Indications now are that business will
soon experience an improvement not
felt during the past ten years. The building
outlook is better than for years. With the
passage of the necessary bill by the Legis-
lature-which seems assured-a new union
railway station will be speedily built, an i'm
provement long needed The Board Of Trade
gives evidence of new energy, and unless
factious opposition interferes, will soon begin
the erection Of building that shall reflect
credit upon and add to the architectural
attractions of the city. In addi-
ton to these public enterprises, there
is no excuse for longer delay in
the matter of building a new market house,
one that shall afford better market faesT,ties
and be an exponent of the city's enterprise
and thrift Leaving out the question of
a city hall, which is not pressing one, a
market-house would certainly prove paying
investment in every respect. These, and
numberless inside private enterprises must
soon engage the attention of every citizen
anxious to see the city grow in popu-
lation and wealth. There are great
industrial enterprises seeking a loca-
ton in Indianapolis. The slenderest
possibility Of securing the Oliver chilled pillow
works should set all enterprising citizens. at
work to afford every encouragement to in
duce the proprietors Of that vast manufactory
to locate here. With unsurpassed shipping
facilities it ought to be an easy thing to Sc
cure the contemplated removal of these works
to some point on or near the Belt road around
the city. Why would it not be the wise thing
for the city to offer at low terms such portion
of the alleged Garfield Park as may be required
for their purposes? Should this industry come
to u.s. an addition of not less than 5000 would
be made to the population within year, and
a million dollars added to the volume
of capital invested. The good effect
would be felt Immediately in all branches Of
trade, and the city would be the gamer by
hundreds of thousands Of dollars annually.
But the Oliver Brothers are not the only man
ufacturers looking toward our city with the
view of locating here. Others, only less
important in The magnitude of capital invested
and number of men employed, are anxious to
get where they can enjoy the superior advan-
tages here offered.
The present duty of citizens is to offer ev-
cry encouragement to commendable enter
prise Indianapolis has reason to grow
much larger and much more wealthy. Few
cities possess such advantages without push
ing them for all they are worth. Few cities
are so fayorably located, with ready and direct
communication with all the great sites of the
West and South, and all its great agricultural
and consuming region. The manufactures
already in operation here send their products
to all parts of the world The fifteen rail
ways centering here, and united as they are,
by belt road, afford shipping advantages
that no other city in the country can
offer Coal in inexhaustible quantity is
at hand, the best of hard wood in abundance,
and all the inducements that can be asked are
here. It remains, then, only that the citizens
Of indianapolis cooperate to push her claims
There is every incentive to do this and it can
be done in the fullest confidence that good will
result to all concerned, to those who invest
and those who are thereby afforded employ
ment. Les the city, and such corporations as
can, set the example by proceeding with con-
templated improvements. Let our merchants,
business men and manufacturers wake up