Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-20

our next general assembly giving us
an assistant to take charge of this ex-
hiEit 1t is worth asking for.
The association can get through
our genial and never firing congress
man, John F. Lacey. to extend the rur-
al free delivery throughout the coun-
ty Every public road leading into
our city ought to be made a rural
/ route. The association should com
mence a vigorous campaign for the To-
cation OF manufacturing plants at OF
tumwa. This is a matter which should
not be left to any one individual.
This ASSOCIATION could not do a
crater service to the city of Ottumwa
than to develop this industrial spirit
and bring about manufacturing era.
Any city depending upon one line of
industry for it's success is to that ex-
tent an industrial freak, not we'll bal
anced. village becomes town, a
town becomes city, city becomes a
metropolis only by a continuous de-
velopment in all it's resources.
sOttumwa is destined to be one of
the largest inland cities of the west,
/ this by virtue of her commanding sit
uaton, midway between the great riv-
ers OF the west. in the heart of the fin
est coal field known. the center Of a
prosperous agricultural section in
which her jobbers hold undisputed
sway. The hub of perfect network of
railroads (not parallel lines), radiating
out into fertile prairies and valleys.
| "Ottumwa Is already at the zenith
OF its growth as an agricultural city.
| We are now the natural market for a
larger farming section than ever be.
fore in our history. There is left but
little growth in this direction. To
strengthen our natural uosition. to
round out and make perfect our rail
roads and commercial growth, our de-
velopment must be along manufacture
ing lines. We have too long consider
ed ourselves merely a trading point
or commercial center as well, cheap
fuel, fine water. low rates of freight,
reliable labor, and quick Transports
ZION into an immense trading section
presents ideal conditions to the manu-
facturer Now is the time for the prep.
aratlon of a manufacturing crop by
the sowing Of industrial seed. This
result will not be accomplished with
out effort. We cannot drift into EN-
inence. / believe however that by a
concentrated effort upon the part OF
those whose future is linked with the
city's progress and prosperity, Ottum.
wa may be made to occupy even a
higher position in the Industrial world
than 1t has for so long time occupied
in the commercial.
No city can become great if its citi.
zens refuse to impart an interest to IFS
afalrs, or fail to feel sense of pride
IN what it possesses. 1t is the feeling
which its citizens extend to the wei.
fare OF city that makes it great OF
small, that means it's success or its
| failure. Men who make up the active
membership of our Commercial asso
| citation are altruists of the purest
type, concerned with their own private
interests oftimes vast and engrossing
they nevertheless will devote both
time and energy to matters affecting
public welfare"
Calvin Manning.
i Calvin Manning spoke on the sub.
Ject, "Ottumwa's Opportunity for Sc.
curing the United States Court" and
sprung a surprise on the party by the
information that there was an excel
lent chance for the city to secure a
branch of the higher court Mr.. Man
ming spoke in part as follows:
4 Mr.. Toastmaster and gentlemen:
am glad that we are assembled here
tonight at the banquet board, exchang
/ ing the hearty hand clasp of friend
ship. 1t is this that breaks down the
barriers, smoothes over the rough
edges and aWakens us to the necessity
OF walking hand in hand and heart tc
heart in the upbuilding of our city
What can we do to increase the com
mercial prosperity Of Ottumwa? Let
me whisper one word-secure the
United States court. Situated as we
are. the capital city of southeastern
Iowa, we must leave no stone unturn
ed in orr efforts to secure this court
1t will bring prosperity to the city
will bring cases to the lawyers and
mileage to the railroads.
i "And why should not Ottumwa Sc
cure this high court? In the northern
district there are Sioux City. Fort
Dodge, Dubuque, and lately Waterloo
In the southern district there are
Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Keo
kuk. And then what happened? Con
gresham Pete Hepburn brought the
court to Creston. Now, friends, there
is no reason why the court cannot BIZ
brought to Ottumwa. We can secure
1t if the Commercial association makes
a determined effort and uses its
strength in an effort to induce Con
gresham Lacey to bring about this
result
Gentlemen, the United States gov
, eminent has paid $500 to the Hawle,
estate for the property adjoining the
postoffice, and that gives the govern
. ment the balance of the block. Thi.
has given us plenty of room to en-
large the present government building
| and when that is done it will leave
ample room for the construction Of an
other government building to be uset
by the United States court l mos
respectfully refer the matter to ths
board Of directors of the Ottumws
!, Commercial association, and | trus
that the members of the association
will work as a unit to secure the fed
| ~