, 1863-03-21
The Reason Why.

we frequently hear the question asked
by transient sojourners here, Upon what
do the people of Walla Walla city and
valley base a continuance of their present
and future prosperity :" We will answer
them
First. The capital already invested in
trade in the city-the agricultural resources
of the valley already developed, and the fact
that it must always be a stock mart and
head quarters of land transportation, in
consequence of its geographical position
in regard to access from the lower country
and the different mining regions, will not
only enable TO keep its present trade, but
will insure to it additional business as tray-
increases and as the surrounding mines are
developed
Second. We have at least two hundred
thousand acres of good wheat land in the
valley proper, in addition to immense
stock ranges and hay farms and we are
rapidly acquiring population of the best
class of citizens who will ere long occupy
and cultivate all these lands At a low es-
innate, this amount of land will produce,
at an average of twenty bushels to the
acre, four millions of bushels of grain.
This grain can be sold at price at which
good farmers are now willing to contract
for term of years-$l 5 to 81 so per
bushel
Third. Allowing large profit to the
miller, -four can be manufactured and sold
here at Sc to SIS per barrel In addition
to this the miller will have the Ofal which
will produce lage amount of food for
hogs, to be converted into bacon
Fourth. Flour, bacon, cattle and horses
can be produced here much cheaper than
they can be imported under any circum-
stances
Fifth Flour, bacon and beef are the
chief requirements of miners, and as with
the natural advantages of the country for
producing them and the facilities for land
transportation they can be furnished here
cheaper than at any other point this side of
the Cascades, the proceeds from the fur
nishing of these requisites will induce the
sale of other articles to large amount in
the mercantile and manufacturing line, and
necessarily benefit and increase every branch
of business.
No one now doubts the acquisition of a
very large population for this section of the
country, not only from this coast but from
the Atlantic States; and we may reasona-
bly, expect a large proportion of these emf
grants Will find homes in this valley, as it
offers inducements for permanent resi-
dents that no other valley between the
Rocky mountains and Cascades can. This
will fully develop our resources within a
short period and when this is done We
will have an annual trade of from twelve to
fifteen millions of dollars per year. AS at
least twO-thirds Of this amount will be re-
tanned at home, as the proceeds Of the sale
of actual products and the profits of trade,
any one can estimate the future wealth of
the community.
In enumerating these advantages, we
have made no alluson to the certainty Of
the development of good mines much nearer
here than any now being worked, in the
supply of which we will have the exclu sive
control over any other point of trade.
The development Of agricultural, mineral
and commercial resources requires capital
and labor, and the concentration of both
at any one point will always create mon
opoly Of trade that will overcome mere ge-
ographical advantages. We are satisfied
with our prospects here and do not envy
the prosperity of any other point, as the
prosperity of the whole country gives
prosperity to all points in proportion to
their capital, labor and natural resources.