The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-04-21

tense against the CITY. but IL Is just as
we'll that we look in the mirror Tor once
and take our true dimensions. Let us
quit this palaver about enterprise aud
public spirit when we know that we are
wholly lacking in these qualities and are
interesting only to the antiquarian as
fossil specimens.
The Advancement Association has been
III existence now for two years. With the
very best intentions all that it has been
able to do in that time was to hire hacks
for seven German editors, and get cattle
far on the grounds of the Agricultural
Association. We have entered into CON-
petition with two saloons at French
Creek and Fred Zeddies of Cooperstown,
and Fred Zeddles can get up the better
fair OF the two. We started out to get
factories and we got horse show Great
Heavens, how much thunder IN the index
for SO little meat in the text
Build fence around your town" was
the jeerlng advice of Two Rivers man.
Sheboygan IS steadily laughing through
the telephone at its former rival. And
here we sit like a county child throwing
dust on its limbs, Fascinated with our own
Incidence. Enterprise! we are just burst
ing with it but we are just holding it
in. 1t was General Sherman who said
if she owned He'll and Texas he'd sell
Texas and live in the other place"
Old Tecumseh was never in Manitowoc
or he'd think more kindly OF Texas.
By the end of next week fully 100 fami-
lies will have left Manitowoc. Business
men will soon follow. When city be-
gins to go backward the impulse forward
is lost and cannot easily be regalned.
When OF Saturday last the committee
made up of the leading business men of
the city adjourned without taking any
action on the matter in hand the city was
put backward fnlly - years.
The farmer trade is dropping off year
by year. The stores being built at the
railroad stations are absorbing that trade.
There is more hay shipped from Newton
than there is from Manitowoc. Kiel
ships as much grain as Manitowoc does
Reedsyille and Cleveland are competitors
o. this city with the chances in favor Of
the former when it comes to securing the
farmers trade, as there has always been
disposition on the part Of the farming
community to do prejudice to the city.
These things should have been consider
ed by the business men OF the city last
Saturday before dlsposing of the PROPOSE
ton submitted to them in the prompt
manner they did. Their action was too
much IN the line of reconciliation to leave
any Impression that careful consideration
was part OF their purpose. "Thelr deeds
be on their own heads"
Every year brought additional evidence
that the day was coming when the city
would have to rely on itself, and that it
is the part of wisdom to prepare for this
inevitable change. But no preparation
Is being made. The farmer trade contin-
ues to be the hope and expectation Of
the city while the farmer trade to-day is
less than it was 10 years ago. The refusal
to do anything toward restoring the in
dusty which was destroyed last week
makes necessary REIMBURSEMENT OF con-
ditions to suit a country village. That
is about the only thing that can be sus-
tanned by the public spirit manifested
here.
The few who came forward with offers
to am in rebuilding are entitled to credit.
Bat The burden was too great for them
to bear alone. The censnre bestowed on
one firm is wholly unwarranted and is
based on transformation. That firm
stood ready to do its part at any time,
but unity of action could not be secured.
Only three men among those represent
Ing capital were willing to take the initi-
aure and state definitely what they would
do. Had others put their purpose in def
mite form We would not be in despair to-
day.
Now, there is nothing left for rs but to
economize. Putting on city airs is too
expensive for people lacking the energy
to make d city. We need only one bridge.
Unfortunately the contract for the new
bridge IS let, bat II the contractors VIII
refuse to accept a forfeit. then let Main
! street bridge drop/into disuse. Repairs