Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-07-26
praved clung tenaciously to the local
ity and tenement houses were reared,
as mocking cries of homes, for their

1ty and tenement houses were reared,
as mOcking cries of homes, for their
occupancy. -
AS cities grew the freeholder disap-
peared and the renter took his place,
the rich building and owning the hou.
ses. With the advent of flats this ten
dency was decidedly increased, until,
in our large cities, with the exception,
perhaps. of Philadelphia. not one resi-
dent in ten owned the roof that shell
tered him from the weather. To this
state of affairs the non-success of our
city boys may largely be traced.
Many city boys Of fifteen have lived
in as many different houses or flats as
they have seen years. each successive
domici!e being merely a place to stay,
without rising to the dignity of a
home, with its memories, associations
and aspirations. The tax collector,
who, however much he may be dis
liked, still brings something of impor
tance with him, since his presence in
dicates the existence of taxable prop
erty, seldom calls, but his place is ably
filled by the rent collector and process
server, who have never been known to
forget dates, and who often call at
most embarrassing times. Such an
abiding place is not a "home,'' in the
true, American sense, and does not
conduce to the development of those
traits and qualities in childhood by
which true manhood and womanhood
can reach full perfection.
But the antidote for these poisonous
conditions is at hand, is already at
work. When great evils and wrongs
exist remedies are always found. The
invention and general introduction of
rapid transportation in our cities is
fast enlarging their limits. bringing
thsusands of cheap building sites with
in easy reach of those posnts where
trade centers and business is trans
acted.
Electric and elevated railroads have
rendered it possible for every capable,
sober and Industrious city dweller, if
possessed of ambition, as such usually
are, to own home, not where houses
join in long and unlovely row, as was
the rule generation ago, but detached
and separated by grass-plots and flow
ers, where the pure air freely circu-
lates, bringing wealth and strength
with every gale.
The homeseekers' movement is &C.
tive in our great cities and the day of
tenements and fats, except for those
who prefer them, are soon to become
things of the past. We are doubling
upon our track and within a genera
ton genuine homes, owned by the oc-
cupants, not rented from others, will
again become the rule.
Rapid transit is still in its infancy
and the achievements of the future
will put to the blush those of the past
and present. The days of congestion
in our cities, So far as resident sections
are concerned, are behind us, while
before us opens long vistas of genuine
American homes, where love, duty,
ambition and true patriotism will -four
ish, and far more that many think,
solve those manifold serious questions
that now perplex and annoy us as a
nation.
This homecoming movement is
freighted with wonderful blessings to
America and Americans, and all who
hope to see their age crowned with sue
cess, their children happy and prosper
GUS, their country maintaining it's po-
sition in the front rank of nations.
should hasten to join it.
The possession of genuine home,
free from the cankering teeth of a
mortgage, ought to be the ambition of
every American, young or old.