Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-01-30
SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. 80, 1869
Now, or-When a.?


We publish in this issue an interesting
communication from Agricola," upon the
Puget Sound and Columbia River Rail-
road. The correspondents views are
we'll founded, and will probably silence
che croekings of those who through ignor-
ancs or envy have opposed measure
which can hare but ono result, the develop
mentand building up Of the Territory.
II should be sclf.evident fact that in pro-
portion to the advancement of communi-
ty IN whole will individual interests be
subscrved. We confess that it has been
with surprise We have found men who can
perceive in Mr.. Holidays intentions moth
ing but scheme to fastep a gigantic mon
opoly upon the people. The building of
this and many other convcrging lines to
the Sound, is only aqucstion Of time. The
want of harmony may delay, but it will not
defeat the final result. Tho policy our
people shall adopt will soon be manifested.
We will have the work commenced within
q very few months, or the business Of the
Territory will suffer rapid decline. ':Hopc
osg deferred maketh the heart sick" es-
pecialIy when that hope has no more
certain support than the favorable action
Of q Radical Congress, and at time when
party requires its undivided attention.
Our business cannot thrive long upon a
shadow, without the substance. Either
Holiday will build the road, or VIC will
DO adrift upon the broad sea Of conjecture
and uncertainty and hard. times again
knocking at the door. 1t is an Ak
iom sanctioned by experience, that "a bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush"
ia choice is presented to our people wher-
in such priceless boon can be secured,
without sacrifice, without delay, would
they be wise to reject il for scheme that
has not assumed the semblance of reality
and whose falfllment may be as distant as
it appeared ten years ago? Would the re.
lection Of this tend in any way to stimu.
late exertion for the Northern route? II
our people had the inclination and the cap.
ital to build the branch road from the Co.
lumbis themselves, they would be entitled
tn preference, as far as the sympathies Of
people identified by association would 60,
but We have waited long and patiently for
any ofour i" home capitalist to loosen the
psrse-strings to public enterprise. They
have talked politics and jingled their
twentiess untila lire man has stepped in
and secured the benefits, which might have
,besn theirs. It is but natural that such
men shoald condemn any enterprise which
does not recognize them as its chief spon-
sers. % i''' e'" 7' ''ie ire~
We have prayed for population and cap
! ital to develop the resources which. lie at
our very doors. 1t has been demonstrated
that population will not flow where enter
prise has not FIRST in motion the wheels Of
progress. Would it be wise now, upon the
appearance ofsn enterprising capitalist to
build up our Territory, to give him cold
welcome because he subserves his own in.
terssts ikewise3 We ask of our readers
. sasdid consideration Of the suggestions
f"AerieolA," believing that he has ably
vindieated the policy which should govern
sar people. :, 80. '.. '..''' ''