The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-06-27

a Gentleman Who Travels From
Maine to Louisiana Was Greatly I'm
pressed by the Spirit OF Progress,
the Evidences Of Development. and
the Big Future in Store for the Cap
ftai OF North Carolina.
Every visitor to Raleigh is impress
ed with the spirit of progress and faith
in the future that he finds IN the peo-
pie Of Raleigh, Not long ago a traV-
cling nan spent several days in Ra-
leigh; and sends The News and ODser-
YER the following prophecy of the city:
In view of the energetic movement
to inject new life into the Chamber
Of Commerce. to boost Raleigh, permit
me some space in your valuable paper
to say some things for Raleigh that
perhaps your paper, nor any OF your
own citizens, could emphasize as much
as |, an outsider
AT the outset, allow me to say that
] am a travelling man, with no ak to
grind. no favOrS to curry, o any
bouquets to throw out. l havent a
dollar at stake, nor any interests in
your city, excep to extend good wishes
and receive same, which has been
accorded me, and simply have facts TO
state as [ see them. Being a travelling
man-going through many towns.
cities and States long g got by the
stage where / viewed towns in general
with any prejudice. for or against, as
all towns look alike to me-. Yet, in
the very nature OF the case, | must be
able to quite accurately diagnose the
merits of all towns and cities l visit.
After l have been in a town long
- ..-- - 80 ' 7 -,,,c cNrO - { -
some verdict.
ITO begin with. / first diagnosed
Raleigh as not having had proper
treatment in a business way hereto
fore; for, while it is the State capital,
a great educational center, and a city
of beautiful homes, yet, from a bust
ness StandpOint-in point of business
and civic progress. the city does not
rank way up and above all other North
Carolina cities as it should. But, on
the other hand, when | had come in
touch with it's citizenS-nOt only bust
ness men. but all classes, l at once
felt and caught the spirit Of progress
that has caught Raleigh, and ] at once
said: Raleigh is just reaching the
psychological movement, just catch
ing the spirit Of progress. and is just
about to leap forward and outstrip
all the cities of North Carolina Now
don't take this as a free bouquet. When
/ say I've been all over the lot, into
hundreds of towns and cities through
out the South during the past few
years, / can assert with knowledge
tina I know what | am paying. Let
me go furtherf: Of all old establish
ed cities, where institutions are estab-
liShed and values are permanent. I'd
rather tack onto Raleigh thar any
city l have seen North or South from
Maine to louisiana And, as evidence
of this. / advised my business house
to establish headquarters in Raleigh
for a distributing point covering a Big
slice of the South! am not a prophet.
nor the son of a prophet. but / have
made this statement to more than one:
in ten years from MOVIES, within
five years-thoSe who have known old
Raleigh will not know the new Ra-
leigh. which is to spring up. and which
is now s~pringing up-and that by 1920
Raleigh will show a population of 40
O00. In the meantime. there will be
lots Of the old town torn down and
cast aside as rubbish There is as truly
q spirit OF progress that catches men
n moves them fOrWard a there IS a
spirit OF religion that catches them and
moves them upward Just now thu
spirit Of progress is abroad in Raleigh.
and while some of its works have
already transpired (witness the audi
tOrium, nearing cOmpletiOn-the Y.
NJ c. A. movement and the greater
Chamber of Commerce. it has yet
hardly touched the people to do what
they are yet to do.
Il have said, L am not a prophet
and yet. l often go into towns and
cities and accurately size them up.
even without reason and facts before
me. and | rarely ever m~isjudge. And,
SO. if j am mistaken in my enthusiasm
for Raleigh. it will be the exception
as regards my sizing it up.
lot general point. what I say
particularly regarding Raleigh. APP
plies generally to our entire south
land. Years ago. before a great deal
was said or written about the "NeN