The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-21
ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS.
The Twin and Rival Cities of the Northwest
An Examination Of Their Statistics.

Correspondence of the Indiana polls Journal.
MINNEAPoLIs. Sept. 18-The Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen of North America is now
| holding its thirteenth annual session in this
city. The opening exercises were conducted in
the Grand Opera-house on the 10th inst The
delegates were welcomed 20 the city by his
Honor, Mayor Ames, whose address, though
brief, was to the point Rev. Mr.. futile, of the
Universalist persuasion, prayed impressively.
Governor Hubbard not being able to attend,
| sent letter giving the boys" hearty welcome.
The editor of the Tribune spoke kindly, encour-
aeingly and felictously, and the columns of the
Tribune and Evening Journal bear gratifying
testimony that Mr.. Blethen is profoundly in
sympathy with the purposes of the brotherhood.
The addresses delivered by the grand officers of
the order were exceptionally meritorious and
had a good effect There are about three hun
dred delegates present. and business is pro-
crossing satisfactorily. and an adjournment
sine die will probably be reached on Tuesday,
the 2lst
The weather has been since my arrival, about
on a par with the September article in central
Indana-cool mornings and evenipgs-but as
yet fires not necessity. Jack Frost does
not seem to have made his appearances, and the
fields and forests retain their emerald freshness
and beauty to a degree not little surprising to
persons who anticipated October or November
indications of winter.
The Northwest is doubtless one of the most
interesting portions of Uncle Samuels wide do
main, and critical observer readily excuses the
tendency to extravaganza of speech and writing
on the part of residents when the Northwest is
the subject of discussion. When it is remem-
bered that as late as 1849-50 this Northwest was
wilderness inhabited by Indians, something
more than an ordinary effort of the mind is re-
quired to comprehend the gigantic strides of our
Anglo-Saxon civilization in this direction. To
the general reader the facts relating to the extra
ordinary growth of ST. Paul and Minneapolis
the twin cities of the Northwest-are deeply
interesting. and though you on the ground,
and for DAYS ride and walk about the Cities read
about them, and talk about them you are still
at a loss to comprehend all the forces that have
been In operation to bring about such splendid
and phenomenal results. can conceive of moth
ing more creditabe to the American character
its push, self-reliance confidence and capability
to overcome obstacles. When ST. Paul and Min
neapolis are referred to twin cities" one is
apt to think they are loving and take pride in
each others welfare. Something of that feeling
may exist. but far more properly they are rival
cities, and each is struggling with might and
main to outstrip the other in the race. To what
extent this strife for superiority is carried can
be known only to those who are the ground
to witness the ceaseless contest. To the stranger,
the tourist to one who takes any interest in
statistical compilations, this emulation becomes
interesting and often amusing.
Saint Paul is the senior city, the seat of gov
eminent, the head of navigation. and had the
start by several years. ST. Paul claims to be the
railroad center, the more solid city. That is to
say st. Paul claims, in larger degree than
Minneapolis can boast. to own herself.
The first test is that of population. ST. Paul
starts out by saying, in staid prose- that, Sin old
steamboat and stage-coach times, this sanity
city boosted of $40 struggling Inhabitants. In
1860 We So 10000 abiding here, in 1880 the
grand showing of Al. 498. and now we are not
proud with happy prosperous family of fully
160, OO0"
Minneapolis tabulates growth in population as
follows