Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-03-31
A M0MENTOUS ISSUE.
Shall Pine BIuH Get the Match Factory II Now Remains for onr Peo-
 pie to Determine.

sue before the people of Pine Bluff one that is to determine whether this city is to grow and prosper, or to retrograde, and finally die of stag nation. Of the two, it now only re- mains for our people to determine which they will choose. This issue is, whether we shall secure the match factory plant, or allow it to be erected in some other city.
 That we need it. that it is almost absolutely necessary to the inter- ests of the city, there is no ques- tion.
 We can 10 longer depend upon the farming interests to support the city, for it has lost too much of its territory and grown too large for that; so we must have factories, which will give employment to the idle, and put money into circulation to sustain and keep alive the busi- ness houses already here.
 The value to real estate has greatly deprecated, there being no demand for it; and it will go lower if its owners do not take steps to bring industrial enterprises to the city. In the Continental Match Factory they have an opportunity to secure a plant tha will pay out at least $100, 900 per year for labor and raw material. This is a large sum of money; yet we can get all of this sum, and much more, perhaps, if a bonus of only 1000 can be raised. This sum should be raised in two hours time, and it is a sad commen- tary on the foresight of our business men that it is not already deposited ina bank. It is no use to say that times are hard and money scarce, for that is not true. The official statements of the three Pine Bluff banks show that there is more money on deposit in them at the present time than ever before in the history of the city.
 At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Manufactures League held Friday afternoon con- mittees were appointed to call on the business and professional men of the city for subscriptions for this bonus. These committees will make the rounds Monday and Tuesday, and will make their final reports to the League at @ meeting to be held next Wednesday afternoon. Then, if the money is not raised, the mat ter will be dropped, and the capital ists who wish to establish the plant here, so notified, and they will, doubtless, accept an offer from some other more enterprising city, and Pine Bluff will have lost an oppor- tunity such as1she may never get again.
 The GRAPHIC earnestly urges the importance of this enterprise It will be big thing for us, and we cannot afford to miss it; therefore. we beseeeh our moneyed men and property-owners to contribute to the bonus required just as hberally as they can. They are the ones that will be most benefited. The plant vii bring hundreds of people here, who will have steady employment the year round, at good wages. These wages will be spent with our merchants for the luxuries and nec- essaries of life It will create a de- mand for houses and land, and the vacant houses about the city will at once find tenants. The issue is before you. You cannot help but see its importance. Therefore, think well before you refuse to contribute to a cause that will put big money into your pockets as compared to the small amount you will be called upon to pay out.