Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-01-02

turned only in memory, has
been notably free from causes for re-
greet and filled to repletion with
reasons for congratulation 1t was
a good year from a material point
of view. Prosperity unparalleledin
in the history of the city and country
marked it. The progress Of the last
IL months has been eminently salts
factory and on this New Years day
there is good reason for entertaining
the most optimistic view of the
future.
Commercially, and embraced in
that term are all branches of bust
ness activity from the initial process
of agricultural pursuits to the most
complex ramifcations of financial
operations, the prospects of 1904 are
bright indeed. In all human posi-
bility the bounteous yield of the past
season will be repeated in that APP
preaching. There is no reason to
fear that, with ordinary business
judgment, the same good prices
will continue to obtain. Thependu
lum of commerce has scarcely yet
described the arc of the swing to-
ward prosperity and there isno indi-
cation of causes which shall arrest
it's course. In all lines of business
there should be reason for salts
faction with the prospect of 1904.
In the affairs of city and county
there is nothing to bring doubt of a
continuancy of the same satisfactory
conditions. In the county govern
ment there are no changes of person
mel, nor of policy, and the incum-
bents of Office may be relied upon to
carry out with equal efficiency the
course pursued by their predecessors.
In the city government everything
gives promise of a faithful adher-
ence in all departments to the high
standard set in 1908. The men in
charge Of the business Of the munic
ipality have established themselves
in public confidence by constant re-
gard for the welfare of the city. No
breath of suspicion as to the honesty
of their motives or the earnestness
of their purpose to do well what has
to be done, exists, and in 1904
there is every likelihood that with
due regard to the requirements of
economical administration there will
be a forward movement along all
lines Of civic government and con-
troll.
Unless the most president are mis-
taken, 1904 is likely to witness in
creased activity in real estate.
Building operations planned will
certainly result in the enhanced
value of city property; the price OF
outside lands will naturally stiffen
as the sequence Of a year which has
demonstrated the profitableness of
their easy cultivation. The influx
of immigration will further serve to
make the demand for property
greater. 1t is not to be hoped that
a boom is imminent, for booms are
not to be desired, but it is useless to
close the eyes to the fact that con-
conitant of property is a tendency
to imitation It will be the duty of
the people who desire only the good
Of the city and county to so regulate
the spirit Of progress as to prevent
it from partaking of the character
Of a boom bubble.
In the space of an article of this
nature there is not room to dwell at
length upon the many desirable
fields of investment in city and
county, but the need of more accom-
mediation in one respect is SO great
as to merit especial mention There
is a scarcity of substantial residences
in Lancaster and the Herald has
repeatedly called attention to the
fact.
Tho year entered upon yesterday
IS rich in promise in the matter of
efficient discharge of the duties in
all departments of civic life and not
least in that of education, so i'm
portant to the community. The
standard of instruction will not be
lowered and the faithful service of
Lancaster and Grant County's army
of educators will in all likelihood be