The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-04-13

fact Is Ii Is no more the fault OF these
people that they are vicious and in
temperate than it is that they are
stunted, deformed, debilitated and
diseased. The one is due to physical
atmosphere. The moral atmosphere as
necessarily and surely produces the
other 1t is the only occasion for
which I ever wish to live beyond the
ordinary term of human life in order to
see the results of these improvements
and to hear the blessings which will
be showered on those who have the
courage to begin them"
The above is brief extract from a
speech which aroused the staid Bir-
mingham councillors and aldermen to
enthusiasm, as by unanimous vote
they Endorsed and adopted the plan of
their youthful colleague. This was In
1875.
Few men have lived to see so wild
dream come true. AS stood in Corpo-
ration street, which traverses what
once was the foul center of Birming-
hams Stun district, ] wondered what
are Joseph Chamberlain sensations
thoroughfare, the finest in Great Brit
ain outside of London. Where the how
els once reeked in filth great marts
and business palaces rear their fronts.
The district from which respectable
persons turned with loathing is now
the fashionable shopping district. Deli
cate fabrics have taken the place of
the rags of the pauper. AS if Aladdin's
magician had waved wand, the grew
some district has disappeared.
would rather be Joseph Chamberlain
and walk up Corporation street, Bir-
than be able to pay the Rus
sian national debt.
At an expense of $8,500,000 the city
purchased about forty-five acres of
slumS and proceeded to transform an
irregular strip having an extreme
length of about mile. Starting at
New street, one of the best business
thoroughfares, it surveyed a broad
road through the center of it's new
and strange property Having laid
out new streets in every direction, the
offered the frontage to
those who were willing to build in
consideration of seventy-five year
leases. There was a demand from
powerful interests that the leasehOlds
be extended to ninety-nine years, but
Mr.. Chamberlain was firm in his re-
solve that Birmingham should come
into full possession of it's reward at
the end of the shorter term. He in
sisted that it would be possible to rent
every square foot of the land on the
terms specified, and his judgment was
accurate. He also predicted that the
average annual charge against the
taxes would not exceed 100000. This
would meet the interest On the bonds
and make up the deficit after allowing
for rents and other revenues. In brief,
he estimated that the eventual cost
Of the investment would not exceed
The scheme has been greatly en-
arged since it's inception, but when
he last payment is made in 1850 Bir-
ningham will own in fee simple the
most valuable tract of real estate in
he world, and the price paid will fall
below that set by the hoy mayor,
who has chance to live to see the
partial fruition of his "audacious sa-
gacity." If offered for sale in the open
market today the former slum hole
would realize $15,000,0OO. It's improve
nent did more than any one thing
o make Birmingham the metropolis |
If the midland counties" It is no ex-
aggeration to assert that the decision |
If the council of 1876 had the direct |
effect of doubling the value of every |
square foot of land in the business dis
riot, and it would be impossible to
put money value on the blessings
which have come with a lowered death |
ate, diminished crime, an aroused To-
,al pride and the prestige which comes
rom great campaign valiantly and
successfully pushed to success.
Ignatus DonneIly
We call him brave, who charges
through
A firing line of deadly foes,
y@1J -