, 1886-01-24
PLAIN FACTS FOR SUNDAY Pc
RUSAI.

unpalatable truths are not very agreea-
BILE to the public, especially when they
refer to local matters, such ms ~stagnation
Of business and inactivity on the part Of
those in a community who are supposed
TO lead in every movement for progress
and development. 1t often becomes the
duty Of a newspaper to utter these truths
in order TO arouse public sentiment and
stimulate public enterprise; and with this
purpose in view The LEADER would set
forth the following facts;
IL is a matter that is only too well
known, that n period of depression has
characterized Cheyenne's business during
the past six months. This depression
will soon seriously affect all branches of
industry in this community, unless ener-
getic measures are speedily taken to bring
about a change for the better.
But what is to be done2 The only an
swer to this question is: We must have
more railroads to connect Cheyenne with
the South and North. We must have
competing lines Of railways that will make
Cheyenne a competing point for the trade
of the vast extent of country north and
west of US. In order to accomplish this
our business men should meet and organ
ize a board OF trade; and such a repre-
sentative body should enter the field and
make terms with the first railway company
that is inclined to favor our cause. The
Legislature is now in session, and our peo-
pie should take advantage of this oppor-
tune moment, and, through n responsible
committee, present our case to that body
for proper aid by means OF favorable
legislation.
We repeat, our business men should
arouse at once. The Burlington & Missouri
railroad is within sixty miles of Cheyenne;
the Northwestern will soon be within l20
miles. Both roads should be urged to
build to this city, and, if necessary, iinan-
cial aid should be offered them. Our
large property owners could well afford to
give 10 per cent OF the value OF their
holdings for the purpose of inducing these
railroads to build to Cheyenne. VIII no
one lift a helping hand2 win our peo-
pie remain supinc when their best inter
ests are at stake? Every man and woman
who owns a dollars worth Of property,
every person who il earning u livelihood
hcre-all are vitality Interested. 1t is evil
dent that unless some concerted action be
taken nothing will be done. Therefore let
our business men meet and organize.
Denver has accomplished much through
its Board of Trade and Chamber of Com
mere; it has obtained many valuable
concessions from the railway companies
through the influence and determined ac-
ton Of its Chamber of Commerce. Chey-
enne can accomplish the same result, if
her business men will IL; and all
our people should combine and
strengthen the hands Of our represent
tative men for good and efficient work in
the right direction. The power of the
people to accomplish great and benefieient
results is never greater than when it Is ex-
erted in behalf of public enterprise and
Improvements and for the general good.
That is what is needed now. Agitation
must work success. Let there be a gen
eral shaking up of the dry bones. The
writer remembers the days gone by when
such a reminder as the above would have
been superluous. Cheyenne in her
palmy days would not bear such lethargy
as seems to have entere | the body polite.
Let us revive her old enterprise. Action
is hle and is sure to bring success. Give
TIM LEADER an opportunity to record
the early organization of Cheyenne pub
lie spirited business men for the purpose
of checking retrogression, and starting the
wheels Of progress.