The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-10-27
A Great Opportunity.

y
The Des Moines Leader contains al
lengthy editorial this week telling of
the states financial status. The show.
ing is very satisfactory to all the
friends of the states progress. The
Leader states that the estimated in
come for the next two years is over
81, 100000 and the estimated expense
So 900 600, thus leaving more than one
million dollars which may safely be ex-
pended for state institutions without
running the state into debt single
penny.
This showing would indicate that
the state is better prepared than ever
before to make improvements and ad-
ditions to its educational system.
One of the greatest demands is for
addi ional normal school facilities.
For this great branch of education,
which is SO important to the interests
of our public schools, but one educa-
tional institution has been provided.
The Cedar Falls school is now crowd
ed beyond the capacity for the best
work and it has become imperative that
one or more additional schools be pro-
vided at once.
Aside from the feature of overcrowd.
ing, Cedar Falls is so located that
young people living in Western Iowa
must travel at least 200 miles in order
to reach the school.
Under the circumstances it can hard
ly be doubted but that the.next legisla-
ture will provide for one or more new
normal schools.
1t cannot be doubted but that the
new school will be located in Western
Iowa.
The choice of location will probably
be largely determined by the railroad
facilities, the location in the state, what
inducement the city has to offer, and
the amount and effectiveness of the
work done by the citizens and friends
of the town among the members of the
legislature.
Taking all these things into consider
alton Denison is prepared to enter the
contest for the location of state nor
NAL with the most favorable chances
for success if no missteps are made
and the matter is pursued with earnest
and united vigor. In another year
Denison will have railroad facilities
surpassed by few cities in Western
Iowa. The main line Of the North
western, the Boyer Valley and Monda-
min branches reaching into northwest
ern Iowa, the Illinois Central tapping
all the territory north and the Milwau.
kee making easy connections but seven
miles distant all combine to make Den
ison easy of access from almost any
point in western Iowa. Nor can it be
doubted but that if Denison were to Sc.
cure the state normal the Rock Island
would find it convenient to go through
Denison with its Sioux City extension.
Denison has to offer the state proper
ty valued at at least $4,000, two
large buildings and as slightly, healthy
and convenient site as could be found
anywhere.
Denison will have an active friend in
Des Moines next winter in the person
of Gov. l.. M. Shaw, and no one doubts
but that he would use every legitimate
and proper means to favor what he is
pleased to call ''the best town in Iowa."
If with our natural advantages we
shall have the assistance of live active
man in the legislature, a man who can
make himself felt and heard among his
fellow members and if our people shall
make a united and determined effort
Denisoa and Crawford county stand
the best possible chance of success.
While it is fact that Denison would
primarily be the place most benefited
by an institution which would add at
least 1900 to its population and increase
its income by not less than $25O,OO a
year, the whole of Crawford county
will be benefited thereby. Every acre
of land in Crawford county would in
crease in value from SIS. 90 to $1,000 per
acre, Denison would furnish a splendid
market for all the small products of
farm, and the young people of the
county would have right at their door
one of the best of educational institu-
tions.
We ask the people fairly and candidly
if this is not matter worth looking to.
Is it not for the interest of the whole
county? Is not every farmer interested
in thing which will increase the value
of his land, which will increase the
assessed valuation of Denison to such
an extend as to tighten the burden OF
taxation tor every farmer, and which
will place it within his means to give
his children splendid education al
little cOot Tho normal oohooI ,x,o \ n 1,r