Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-11-27
Getting Up a Boom.

Getting Up a Boom.
Editor RepttbIican:-The city of Madi-
son, through its Business Mems Club,
has inaugurated measures for ga boom"
if one can be created by means of ad-
vertising and talk. A meeting was held
a few evenings since which was largely
attended by the representative and
solid business men of the city, having
in view the object above set forth; and
the item from which | gather these
facts states that there prevailed unity
of sentiment to the effect that the town
had lain dormant long enough, and
that its many advantages ought to be
placed before the people of the country.
1t was decided that the most feasible
method of increasing the population
and industries of the city was through
q liberal system of advertising, and
committee was appointed to outline
scheme in harmony with that idea, to
report at meeting of the club, in two
weeks. The club has entered into the
matter seemingly in dead earnest, and
it is proposed to expend annually, for
several years to come, sum between
$4,000 and $4,000 to bring the attrac-
tons and possibilities of Madison to
more general notice. Here is food for
reflection for the people of Watertown,
and shows them the importance which
Madison attaches to an organization for
the purpose ofharmonious and effective
work, and the proper methods to be
employed to give it execution. Our
citizens can take hint from what that
city is doing and determine whether
all is being done here that should be to
encourage immigration and develop
our resources. We have no club or or
ganization of business men as has
Madison, but we easily could have if
some one would take the initiative and
suggest a plan of operations. A Bust
ness Mems Association once establish
ed, having in mind the founding build
ing up and encouragement of enter
prises calculated to add to the wealth
and prosperity of the city would soon
prove of incalculable benefit. Where
is the city that can offer a better
opening than Watertown for per-
sons desiring to establish a manu-
featuring plant? We have cheap land,
good water-power, abundant labor, q
facilities of the best kind, and in fact
everything desirable in the way of in
ducements to offer those in quest of a
location But so long as we are content
to hide our light under bushel and
keep in the background, we cannot ex-
pect to emerge from our present posi-
ton. Madison proposes by the use of
printers ink to have her advantages
duly heralded to the world. Ofadver-
Using Watertown has had her full share
in the past, but 1t has been chiefly of
the wrong kind, having been made up
largely of damaging statements in con-
nection with our city bonds. Some
thing should be done to counterfeit the
effects of these, and set her right in the
minds of people who are willing to hear
the truth. AS to the best method for
doing this, there would be wisdom
enough in Business Mems Association
to determine that, and to also adopt the
right means for properly placing the
advantages of Watertown before the
public. This seems to be the first step
necessary to be taken in paving the
wayt to any marked growth in our popu-
lation or development of our resources.
What is wanted is an organization, such
as exists at Madison and scores of other
places which might be named-a nu-
cleus around which those interested
may come together, compare notes, and
devise ways and means for promulgat-
ing and executing their plans. In other
cities where the experiment has been
tried in accordance with this idea,
Business Mems Associations have
proven a great success and been pro-
ductive of lasting good. The same rule
would hold true here. Watertown is
no exception, or at least would not suf-
fer by comparison with other localities
when natural advantages are alone the
consideration. Then why not make
the most of them and SO that they are
turned to good account for the welfare
and prosperity of the city. q.