The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-24
FEATURES OF rnE STRING OUTLOOK,

FEATURES OF IA SPRING OUTLOOK.
After w~ithstanding one end of II wave
Of depression that swept tho country
two years ago, tho good people of Helena
have many reasons for rejoicing over
the promises of spring. They find
themselves to-day in tho best, most
prosperous and the most enduring COM
munity in the northwest. They know
this for the evidence is OF all sides.
When other cities in the newly settled
regions exhausted their boom spent re-
sources and shut down progress during
II period Of financial d~ullness, Helena
moved right along. New electric lines,
new buildings, new manufactures, Gu
larged electric plants and material pro-
gress in every form mark Helena's
record for the past two years. 1t is a
work that will not stop. for the senti-
ment developed at the Board of Trade
meeting the other evening shows that
our people mean to move straight ahead
on these lines, despite the carping criti-
cisme of mossbacss who lie down and
permit other to increase the valuation
Of their property.
But the spring outlook Is all right.
The hard work OF the post site commit
tee it nearly finished. The titles to the
property will be SEM to tho war depart
ment within a few days, and a month
later we will find the construction OF
Fort HARRISON under way. An army
of men will be employed in this work
and will continue until relieved by the
permanent location of the largest garri-
son of troops in the western country.
During the coming simmer more than
100000 will be expended, and this sum
will be increased by the next congress
SO that the work will continue without
interruption.
The extension of electric railway lines
is a fine sign of the confidence of owners
in Hslena's future. The line OF the
Rapid Transit company is being pushed
to the university and when completed
will form another link in the best cleo
trio railway system in the northwest.
In connection with this the enlarge
ment of the electric plant is to be noted.
The company have decided to add a large
steam supply plant to their already splen-
did equipment. The Main street pipes
will be first laid with the intention of
enlarging the system as rapidly as is
found practicable.
The summer will mark an era in the
history of Helena's for recrea-
ton. Nick Kessler, one Of Helena's
best and most useful leaders in pro
gressive movements, will provide a splen-
did pleasure park on grounds conve-
nlently located neal the city. The plans
include a fine base ball park and all pro-
visions for amusements found in similar
places near the large eastern cities. II
will be opened early in the summer
These are a few features which will
certainly come before fall. Others, like
the construction of the Missouri river
dam, the road to Castle and new manu-.
factories are under daily discussion anc
will come in good season. All are large
enterprises and it takes time to work
them into realization.
The prospects for business prosperity
are better than at any time within the
past three years. Merchants w%eatheret
the winter in good shape. Two small
failures since last September show tina
Helena stands all right with Brad
streets, while the bank %clearings have
held close to the million mark during
the year. There are abundant signs o
coming prosperity in all parts of the
state, and, of course, Helena as thu
metropolitan center, receives her share
from all sections. The returns in the
fall will be greater than ever.
1t is therefore n time when gu,
| people can look forward to goot
things, that is, all except the tiresom'
grumblers. They would kick over tn
future Of the celestial city. Treat then
rs you would harmless cranks and Civ
your time to the pushing Of every inter
est calculated to benefit Helena. |
was that policy that made the tow
what it is and will keep it at the hea(