The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-03-09
TOWN MEETING
Madison Business nen Confer
Together.
State Normal School Matters Oc-
cupy Their Attention and
Work Planned.
Committeeman ChOSen-.Railroad
Matters Discussed-.Prelim
mary Work for a Com
mercial Club.

Between thirty and forty business
men answered the call for a meeting Of
tue improvement league at Justice
Holdridge's oons last evening and the
meeting took quite a business turn. The
ACCESSIBILITY Of having a committee of
citizens to assist in procuring a sub
~stantial structure for the new dormitory,
for another committee to secure free
stone for it. the benefits Of the projected
railroad from Sioux Falls to this COM
munity and what should be done for it
and many other things were discussed
and developed the need OF a commer-
cial body to take hold Of and attend to
these matters. Accordingly it was de-
cided to organize a business mems league
for active work and John Walden was
elected president OF the organiza-
ton. Hon. H. p. Smith, vice president,
q. NJ. Farley, secretary. A general ap.
pointing committee was raised who rec
commended the following appointments
"iA'Ou "cAo COoiI uncu W VIC uu0oIiuk.
Committee on securing stone for new
dormitory, II. P. Smith, G. b. Kennedy.
John Walden.
Committee on permanent organization
and bylaws: f. L. Soper. G. J. Porter.
d. d. Holdridge. This committe is TO
report within a week.
p,.1,~ol ,o,o,~. II IN,ll-. IL
d. Fits. John Larkln. C.. b. Kennedy,
H. =. Smith, +. l.. Mease, \. G. Schmidt,
w. f. Daniels.
Finance committee: J.J. Fitzgerald.
D. A. Mackay, j. +. Stahl.
The meeting adjourned until Wednes.
day, March 10.
The action OF the meeting is no doubt
wise in many respects. Madison has a
big interest in seeing the State Normal
school succeed and she has also a big
interest in seeing that what is done for
it be done ia a substantial manner. 1t
can greatly aid the regents in the selec.
ton Of material, procuring Of stone per
haps and overseeing work done on the
building contract. These things are for
the good name of the school AID the
town. So also in the other lines OF en-
terprise discussed. The general senti.
meut OF our business men was in favor
of the new railroad. Could this line be
built and connected at Sioux Falls with
a through line east and south reduced
rates could be obtained that would ena-
BILE our business men here to compete
in merchandise with Sioux Falls or any
other point within fifty miles. 1t would
add two or three cents to the price Of
every bushel Of wheat by reason OF ~.
duced transportation rates as we'll as on
other produce shipped out. Then the
advantage on rates and price OF coal and
other things shipped in. 1t will be al
legged that small towns will grow up
along the new route that would draw
from u market but this does not hold i
good. II small towns grow up it only |
increases the population Of the county |
and makes more business for Madison |
and Madison merchants. Give them the |
rates Ia transportation and they will do |
the business against all competitors |
within fifty miles. Competition IN rail- |
roads and competition in business be-
tween Madison and other points is Just
what will develop our town and we can.
not get at it any too soon. The move.
meDt begun last night to SECURE the new
road should be followed up vigorously to
q success and then the league will be in |
position to reach out after something
else. !
In this connection it will further the
interests OF the business mems league to
state that j. A. McGovern was appointed
a committee to circulate the membership
roll Of the league to secure additional
signatures. Give him q friendly hearing
when he approaches you.