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Springfield needs more room for the de-
velopment of its business center. Is it
not the hight of folly to maintain indefi-
nitely our gas works, our electric light
station and street railway power house al-
most within a stone's throw of our prin-
cipal thoroughfare? These important plants
of our public service corporations belong
on the outskirts of the city where they can
have room for growth, as it is needed,
without encroaching upon the rights of
residents and merchants in the very heart
of the town. And of course, they would
go ultimately where they belong, if the
railroad were taken out of its present
narrow and contracted location between
Main street and the river.

Who then can doubt that the change of
the railroad would, within not many
years, result in a large addition to the
city's taxable property rather than in its
diminution.

It is not permitted me to discuss the
subject in further detail as it invites, but
in closing I venture to recall to you Sen-
ator Ingalls's beautiful sonnet on oppor-
tunity: --

Master of human destinies am I;
Fame, love and fortune on my footsteps wait;
Cities and fields I walk; I penetrate
Deserts and seas remote, and passing by
Hovel and mart and palace, soon or late
I knock unhidden once at every gate.
If sleeping, wake, if feasting, rise before
I turn away; it is the hour of fate
And those who follow me reach every state
Mortals desire, and conquer every foe
Save death; while those who doubt or hesi-
   tate,
Condemned to misery, penury and woe.
Seek me in vain, and uselessly implore;
I answer not, and I return no more.

 

Springfield has the opportunity to become
famous, honored and envied among the
cities of the world. Shall she let it pass?