Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-03-04
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THE ENEMIES OF GREATER BIS.
MARCk

NE ENEMIES VI 1nEAl En- Blk
MARck
Who are the real enemies of prt
gress in the city of Bismarck?
This is a question that has bee
asked in the past-is asked now an,
will be asked in the future. particu
larlY by the newer class of citizens
Who have cast their lot with us ant
who are anxious and willing to d,
taeir share towards the building O
the new metropolis-the greater Bis
marck-greater than any of the oil
timers ever dreamed of.
Why is it that more interest is no
taken in the civic and material i'm
provement of the Capital City?
What sort of dry rot, political decay
or municipal imbecility has overcome
our people that they cannot awaken
to our opportunities and proceed to
build city before other commune
ties have distanced US?
The way to build cities is-to build
them.
Some may think We are doing fair
~ well in Bismarck, but are we do
ing aIl-.haf or a quarter even OF
what we might do. can do, or ought
to do?
In Grand Forks, in Fargo, in Dick.
anROn in Minot, in Valley City-all
the leading cities of the state-arm.
cries are being built, Masonic tenn.
pies and palatial homes Of other or.
dars are being opened; Y. M. c. A.
buildings, opera houses, government
buildings and public institutions OF
all kinds are being constantly dedi
Gated, and the population and bust
ness Importance of all are rapidly in.
creasing.
True, Bismarck is progressing-is
going ahead-but not at pace com
our deserts.
We do not seem to be attuned right
Our municipal government is work
ing at cross purposes.
Some of our Oldest and wealthiest
MEN and heaviest property owners
some OF them entirely unmindful O
how they acquired their wealth-art
now the greatest stumbling blocks t
our prosperity.
They lack civic pride.
Their political and business jeal
ousies control them to the detrimen
of the city's best interests.
They would rather net progress a
all than to progress where there !
a remote possibility Of mayor, o
other official, not Of their politica
tar how brief obtaining little-ju:
a wee bit of credit; and on the othe
hand We are not infrequently trea
ed with a spectacle Of buillheadednes
and stubbornness on the part of OF
officials, amounting to almost cusse
stupidity.
There must be a coming togethe
a unity of purpose, on the part OF OF
people or we will retrograde.
There is no such thing as standir
still in a city's history A metro
oils is building all the time or it
not building at all.
1t is fair to assume that city ar
other officials are as good as the pc
nile who elevate them.
If we do not want as alderms
one who, because he couldn't run Il
Commercial club, withdrew and pI
dicted its demise in six months, al
has been waiting anxiously for an
portunity to give it a jolt ever sint
and found an opportunity after Gig
months absence from the coun
Ehaa.,J27; il We don't want for add
me those who are entirely lacking
civic pride-do not care whether !
have horses, soWs, goats or tin ga
on the streets-do not care wheth
we have modern stores and str,
lures and other evidences of civil:
ti0n and thrift. but are more int
ested in blindpig stys and the revt
mes therefrom we do not need
have them.
ff Bismarck. through the mario
ness and avariee of an aldermia
who was picked up from the farm
from obscurity elevated to the pc
finn of sheriff, and with the opp
tanfties afforded a turnkey. retir
In affluence-if, for the purpose