Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-04-15
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY NcRNING, APRIL. Is, 1871
Now or Never.

The property holders OF olympia now
have an opportunity offered to them which
will never again occur, aud upon their de
termination depends the future of their
town. whether it shall be 4 prosperous city,
only second in importance to the chief city
in all this broad Territory, or deserted
VILLAGE, Giving temporary shelter to few
hundred inhabitants, without commerce
or enterprise. The proposition is no mere
y speculative project, dependent upon un,
certain contingencies, buta plain business
transaction, as positive in its results as the
return of the seasons. Was the accept
ance of this proposition dependent upon
the action of a single individual of ordina-
ry business sagacity, it would not remain
in doubt an hour; the opportunity would
be embraced without a moments hesita.
ton. No man is asked to contribute a
dollars value in land without the certainty
of a return Of many times the amount in
value and no one would hesitate to do
this but for the fact that many others are
equally interested, and the selfish jealousy
entertained by some that others might pro.
fit more than themselves in proportion to
the amo unit conceded. This objection can
only be obviated by every property owner,
whether of town lots or adjacent lands,
contributing one half Of his possessions
upon the condition that this be made a
railroad connection with the waters of the
Sound. There is no reasonable doubt that
this would secure the object sought, and
there is every reason to believe that moth
ing less than this would. The question
whether this is reasonable or unreason-
able demand on the part of the Railroad
Company, does not at all affect the issue.
The Directors would no. be acting like bust.
ness men, or in good faith to their princi-
pals; if they did not make the best terms
they could for the interests of the Compa-
ny. No business man would do less for
himself. There is no doubt of the friendly
feeling towards Olympia of the gentlemen
representing the Railroad Company; but
we all know that there are competing
points nearly or quite as eligible for their
purposes. bidding high for this advantage,
and it would be unreasonable to suppose
that they would sacrifice the interests
OF their company to their personal partial
ity. 1t is, however, manifest to all, that
the property holders of Olympia are now
masters of the situation, and have it in
their power to secure this advantage upon
the terms proposed, or by rejecting the
terms lose it forever, and they have but a
short time to determine.
Perhaps all do not comprehend the full
Importance of this question, as there are
many here who have not personally oh.
served the effects Of railroad connections
upon the growth of towns. The terminal
point now made by the railroad upon the
Sound will undoubtedly hold that advan.
tage for the next four years, or until the
completion Of the entire intermediate line.
This would make that point the CONNER.
cial centre Of the first food tide of immi-
grafton and business which would flow to
this country. All over the old Northwest
We have seen towns with far less natural
advantages spring into cities of thousands
ofinhabitauts, and their real estate values
increased a thousand fold in year or two
by becoming railroad terminus. The
town of Duluth but short time since was
barren waste, inhabited only by wild an
finals. Soon after the commencement of
the railroad from that point, prospective
business lots upon unconstructed streets
were readily sold for from three to five
thousand dollars each and that, too. at
place where navigation is closed and bust
ness suspended for nearly or quite ne-half
the year. To come nearer home. lock at
the effect Of the railroad upon Portland
and East Portland, within two years the