Year: 1871

inclined TO predict for the near future
prosperity that the less hopeful are unwfl-
ling to concede; or in other words, are
inclined to look upon the prospects as ex-
ceedingly bright and propitious. Now
then, taking rational view of the matter,
We ask, what may Omaha expect for the
future? This is what she may not ex-
pect-a very sudden influx of capital while
property is held at it's present high price.
True the city may derive some advantages
from the amount of emigration pouring
into the State, but while this only gives a
slight impetus to local trade, it does not
increase the facilities for profitable invest
ment. This is what she needs No mat
ter if the population of the State reaches
millions, if there is nothing in the city to
attract capital and to stimulate enterprise.
all other calculations to the contrary will
go for naught. Four years ago, Omaha
had population of 10000; to-day she has
a population of scarcely 1900. Now,
why is it? The monied men of the city
thought they would remedy the matter by
throwing out inducements in various
ways, and their first step in this direction
was the proposed building of magnifi-
cent hotel, to cost a hundred thousand
dollars. For the last year and half, the
building has been in course of erection,
and it now bids fair to be failure I al
ways considered this to be useless orna-
ment, and one for which the city could
have waited twenty years-but does it re-
fleet credit upon the energy of our capital
lists? Omaha possesses wealth in abund-
ance, but it is damage to her interests.
There appears to be an unwillingness on
the part of our monied men, to open up
the various resources. Now, while this
apparent want of confidence exists, can
we expect foreign capital to come in, or to
take the lead? What can Omaha expect
for the future?


She might become manufacturing city


She offers ample Inducements, and invest
ments IL this direction would require only
ecoTomy and industry to ensure success.
Capital need not fear to come to Omaha.
True actual demonstration has proved
that hundred thousand dollar hotels are
poor paying Institutions, but .j,tdici0us in
vestments pay, and Omaha offers facilities
equalled by none, anywhere. Iwould not
fail to speak of our smelling and refining
works. This is an instance of profitable
investment, and has fully met the expec-
tations of the most sanguine. The Union
Pacific Railroad did much to their detri-
ment, which, by the way, may as we'll
refer to. The works started under verv
favorable circumstances, but there was a
very sudden rise in the rates of freight on
ore. Operators could not afford to ship.
and as natural consequence smelling
works were established closer the mines.
which of course materially damaged the
business of the Omaha works. This diff
ficulty has been partially obviated by a
slight reduction of the freights, but a still
greater reduction is looked for, when the
works will proceed with their usual
amount of business.


Omaha may be something some day,
but it depends altogether on the energy
and conduct of her citizens. Can it be
expected that the poor emigrant coming
into the State Will make the city what


many of her anxious citizens do not hest
tate to predicts The merchant may sell
an extra pound of sugar or yard of cloth,
but will the greatness of the New Chi
cago consist in this alone? / quote the
following from the Tribune and Republican
of the 26th inst: Omaha is moving
moving on with sure, if not rapid strides
in the race with the foremost of the west
ern cities" 1t is just such advertising as
this that has brought hundreds of poor
men to the city, who left with many a
bitter imprccation, on finding how vii.
fully it had been misrepresented.


| repeat, capital invested in the develop
ment Of the manufacturing and CONNER
cial interests of the city, alone will pro-
duce the desired results and give Omaha
a right to her new title OcCIDENT.