The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-09-29

Is port OF entry, ana some our mer-
chants import their goods direct from
England and pay the duties here.
Now we have good order and a
strong influence in favor OF temper
ance and morality.
Now. in place of the Indian whoop
upon our hills and in our valleys,
which was familiar to the ears Of the
first settlers, some of whom are vet
here, is heard the din Of business and
thanksgiving and praise to Him who
ruleth over all.
The post at Fort Des Moines, (now
Montrose,) established there at the
close of the Black HAWK war for the
protection OF the settlements against
the Indians, was not abandoned by
the United States troops till June,
1887. One is led to exclaim, in view
of these facts.
Where is now the wilderness, that
once was wide around us Z"
| The unprecedented growth and BUSH
i ness of Keokuk, under all her difhcul-
ties Of title, is one Of the best evil
dences OF the strength Of her position
as commercial point.
| am aware that we suffer by COM
parison OF the number of our popula-
ton with some other river towns in
Iowa, as frequently published in the
newspapers, but am quite confident
fhSt VyA q m OHa
4 mile square (which Is the extent OF
our corporate limits) as can be found
upon any single mile square in Iowa.
4 And upon this single mile square !
hesitate not to say, Is transacted a
much larger amount of business than
upon any other single mile square In
our state.
/ The responsibilities OF the office OF
! mayor and alderman of Keokuk In
I the present crisis Of her affairs, are
, not slight l think / fully appreciate
!, how much is expected at my hands
and how many sectional interests vii
! be pressed upon the consideration o.
the council. am happy to find my
self in this office without pledges t
, any sectional interest-and surround
) ed by gentlemen deeply interested IL
E the prosperity and welfare of the city
and who Will bring to the discharge 0
) their duties an intelligent appreciation
i, OF its wants.
:. The retiring mayor and aldermen
e adopted, and have carried out liberia
d course of policy. The Improvement
!. OF Main. johnson, Blondeau and othe
n streets, and the levee, are evidence
) Of the wisdom and great advantage
II of that policy; and though we ma
j. have learned by experience, that tn
n work might have been done at les
s cost, yet l believe every citizen
J. highly gratified that the improvement
e have been made, and will willingl
@ pay the cost of the same. l shall re-
q ommend that all existing contracts fc
N city improvements be carried out, o
ID the part OF the city, in good faith.
+ am decidedly in favor of city improv'
IS ments, having a due regard to a
f. economical expenditure of money. an
h. the present and future credit OF tn
lie city
TT On the 14th instant, the either
re will be called upon to vote for
n, against a tax OF not exceeding on
ID half of one per cent, to pay intere
e. on our bonds and improve our street
u / trust no citizen will vote again
ne this tax. If we would prosper, v
st must not expect to escape taxatio
or without it all city improvements mu
e, stop. 1t is necessary, in order
ch make prompt payment of interest
If. bonds. A failure to do that won
prove disastrous to our credit.
re doubt not that every citizen fully
In alizes the importance of this MATE
ed and that any arguments from me a
,ss entirely unnecessary to induce all
ne vote in favor of the tax.
nd The time has come when 1t is abb
lutely necessary to do something me
six than to make city improvements,
err we would retain the great ascenden
ag- commercially, which we now hold o,
lit all the towns in Iowa; and | submit
CHI we cannot do all we desire to do, y
to it not be wise, for time at least,
carry on only such city improvemel
ITS, as are absolutely necessary, 80 Il
Ing we may be better able to render 8
stantial aid to our railroad enterpris.
tilt With these secured, we shall be
do yond the reach of contingencies,
shall have secured prosperity for
ate time to come without the common
hes ment OF railroads. and certainty
their completion in reasonable til
ed it needs no prophet to forten W
YER will soon be our condition, the va
an of our bonds, the price Of our propei
ich of our ability to improve it.
last The Prohibitory Liquor Law has
ers. doubt been carried in the state b
two large majority The good name
ical our city, and the welfare OF ey
citizen, demand that laws for the
of preston Of the traffic in liquor. ant
st. intemperance should be enforced;
INTO this stream OF bitterness and
citi- should be dried up. The tears
put poverty of the drunkard's wife
So ,.,.z. .ht,drac daunapd IT. fha