The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-19
MOVING ON.

The vigorous and prosperous Montana
club proposes to do its share toward
Identifying and adjoining Helena by
erecting a handsome club house, equal
in all its appointments to similar build
ings IN eastern cities. This step is wise
" taken at this time in the general lull
OF building activity which prevails not.
only here, but the country over. At
such a time, enterprises of this charac-
ter, which bring money into the chan
nels of trade and give employment to
labor, are a material benefit to the city.
They stimulate all forms of industry and
beget the spirit OF improvement in our
people. If simultaneously with the be-
ginning of work on the club house, the
erection of the new opera house is I'M
dertaken, the season of 1891 will open
most auspiciously. In the past two
years there have been built in Helena
more costly and beautiful business
blocks than in any city of its size in the
country. The demand for such build
ings has been very nearly supplied for
the present, and it is unreasonable to
expect that this seasons building opera
tions will show so large aggregate in
vestments in this class OF property. The
greatest building activity will be in
other channels.
Our architects report plenty of orders
for plans for a substantial class OF priv
ate residences, which is a healthy indi-
cation. Nothing can add SO much to
the attractions of Helena in the eyes Of
eastern visitors as the building of beau
tiful homes. There are hundreds of
wealthy and well-to-do citizens who
have p~rospered and amassed money here
who could amply afford to do something
fol- the city in which they have made
their money. Let them build handsome
and stately residences, and do it this
season when the conditions are favora-
bic and worthy labor can be
employed. 1t is a mistake for
our people to let the bone and sinew of
the town leave it for the Flathead coun-
try and other points where great build
ing booms are in progress. Let us keep
our mechanics and artisans busy here.
There is plenty of money here buttoned
up in the pockets of capitalists, or in
vested in valuable real estate that is
covered with old shacks that ought to
be torn down.
Where local capital is lacking, eastern
money in abundance, at a low rate of
interest, can be brought here for invest
ment in almost any sort of building i'm
provements that give promise of fairly
remunerative return on the money
loaned. The Chamber of Commerce as
ISOLATION of Portland has just borrowed
half a million dollars from an eastern
insurance company with which to erect
new building, and the entire city will
feel the benefit of this influx of outside
capital. Helena's financial standing is
high, her resources are great. and there
is no reason why, by proper effort, mill
ions of capital should not be drawn
here.
But our citizens who are not capital
lists should not sit down and wait for
great enterprises. Let every house
holder do something to make his sur
roundings more attractive and home
like. Plant trees and shrubbery, cover
the bleak places with grass and flowers,
and in other inexpensive ways make the
city more inviting for the homeseeker
and the investor. There is no surer way
to increase values and bring population
and prosperity to the capital.