Year: 1878

The experience of Bismarck will prob.


ably be no exception to the general rule Of


Western cities. She will have her seasons


Of prosperity and rapid growth, and also


her periods of depression, which is but the


natural reaction of undue stimulation un-


der all circumstances. No Western city


ever escaped and we see no reason why


Bismarck should be an exception to her


share of the business fluctuations, which,


whenever they happen, simply give time


for the rapid growth of stimulation to SOL


idify, and become healthy, and for the sur


rounding country to catch up. The city


growing beyond the developcmcnt of sgri-


cultural interests is the most general


cause of stagnation in agricultural towns,


but Bismarck, having other resources, will


not be so much effected as she otherwise


would. Bismarck is natural result of


the Northern Pacifcrailroad, and although


many of our citizens feel that they have


grievances in the shape of high tariffs and


land matters, which We don't propose to


discuss in this article, but which if true
do not conceal or eradicate the fact that


we are inscparably connected in interest


with the Northern Pacific. Although at
times they may seem to dictate policy
immical to Bismarck's interests, yet the
successful operation and progress west
ward of the Northern Pacific is proper
tionately the same mede of success to Bis
marck, which is the natural base of sup
plies, and not only for that enterprise but
the vast empire north and west of US trib-
utary by the Missouri river. Bismarck is
a natural commercial centre and while its
trade now is double that of any other
known city of its size yet it can still be In
creased many times. This is a natural
point for wholesaling goods Of every de-
scription, and also for manufacturing all
the varied articles of machinery of which
we shall use millions of dollars worth as
our lands arc developed and of which mil
lions Of dollars more will be needed in the
country tributary to the Missouri above us.


AAodoAASto VI "d:,OAo olC DC
ing brought here for frcighting purposes
which could just as well be manufactured
here and sold at less money at handsome
profit. All the furniture in this upper
country must now come by rail or river,
and being bulky freight comes at high tar
if rates while we have direct access by
the Northern Pacific to the hard wood for
ests of Northeastern Minnesota and Wis
consin where good quality of timber can
be obtained, and brought here at altogctf-
cr different rate than the manufactured
articles. The feasibility of extensive man.
ufactures cannot be denied, for the other
necessity for that purpose is cheap fuel,
and coal of a quality all sufficient for that
purpose can be furnished ad libitim from
the coal beds 20 miles up the Heart river.
In addition to this Bismarck is natural
disbursing point, and manufactory of
furniture, wagons of all classes and agri-
cultural machinery, could sell every dol
lars worth they could manufacture with
capitol of u million dollars. The same with
other kinds of trade all that is wanted is
capital to carry heavy and complete stocks
of all classes of goods. The entire country
north and west of us would buy here in
preference to spending time and money
going farther east if they could do as we'll.
This is simply matter of time, it is all go
ing to be done here in Bismarck, the adj
vantages of position, our accessibility by
river and rail .re worth something, conse-
quently we must not be discouraged be-
cause money does not force itself upon us
continually. We must make our business
commensurate with our natural position.
1t rests with us, we must encourage capi-
tai to build manufactures and give en-
ployment to large population, thus in
creasing the trade of our retailers, and to
do this it is necessary to keep down taxa
tion, for capital is timid in this direction.
Our policy should he shaped for the fu-
ture, VIC need people and then something
for the people to do, if we expect to keep
pace with our natural advantages. If we
don't some cnterprising capitalist may even
yet start an opposition town and prove no
mean rival, for business is bound to be |
done either in Bismarck or near it; and |
another thought presents itself here, The
of the Northern Pacific to the |
ocean ushers in the dawn of new era and !
reverses the current of trade which with |
us has becnifrom east to west, and the trade
of the old world will seek its eastern fac
tors by the way of the Northern Pacific,
past our very doors. The Missouri river
is the first great water thoroughfarc which
it intcrsects and here will the rcshipment
be made for river points below. Bismarck
certainly has the natural location for an
handling Of merchandise, she
has a magnificent country adjacent to give
solidity to her business, she only needs a
public spirited policy to enable her. citi-
zens to realize the full fruition of their
hopes. -..s.. ...H pc. s.... ..r.r.. (.