Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-12-13
OLYMPIA. S,TlRnlI MORNING. DEC. -, 1873
THE OUTLOOK.

been informed that Il strong effort Is
heinz made to remove tic distributing
post office from this place to the tcrmi'
nus of the road. Is it not about time
that our citizens should begin to reallzs
the effect these changes will haze tron
our local interests? 1t requires no pro-
phetic eye to discover i'll these move
ments cause for serious apprehension
40 far as our immediate Welfare is con-
cerned.
While it is true that we have the pro-
mise of branch railroad, and the poo
ble have, with remarkable unanimity,
roted in favor Of issuing bonds to aid
in its construction, it is nevertheless
fact that some of our citizens manifest
a remarkable indifference to the fate of
the project. 1t will be remembered
that one of the first guarantees make by
the citizens committee to the agents of
the Olympia Railway and Mining Co.
was to transfer to it the lands previously
donated to the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Co. This stipulation, it appears,
does not meet with the approval of few
of the larger donors, and they have not so
far signifed their intention to be bound
by it. The remainder have signed an
agreement to convey their donations
soon as the road is completed, but their
action and the vote OF the people will
be of no avail unless the deficiency is
made up in land or its full equivalent in
money. A strange anomaly is present
ed in the fact that those who refuse to
accede to the terms are almost invaria-
bly, those who would be the most bene-
fitted by the enterprise. Is this dog-in-
the-manger policy to rule? Are we to
lose the advantages so confidently
hoped for, SO patiently awaited by the
people, so essential for the maintenance
of the present condition, to say nothing
of the future growth, of our town and
county, by the imprudence or selfish
ness of few men who would enrich
themselves at the cost of their generous
and public-spirited neighbors?
The people of Seattle are already de-
vising means to meet the emergency.
The Mtelligenccr perceives the exact
situation at q glance, and concludes a
stirring appeal for swift steamer, to
carry passengers from the end of the
track to Seattle Immediately upon the
arrival of trains, with this admonition
"There should be no delay in this mat
ter. If We mean to hold our own, we
must act promptly and effectively. If
we do nothing it will be satisfactory
evidence to the world that we have
silently yielded the palm, and are NO
ledger disposed to dispute the pre-
eminence even with little Tacoma, Ia
boring under all her many disadvan.
tages, now so we'll known to Everybody
We must lay aside our chickering's and
rivalries, our jealousies and backbitings
and combine together in harmony fol
securing this common and essential end
Self-preservation demands it."
The fate of Olympia and Seattle is
dependent upon the action of their cit
liens. The progress that either place
has made is more the result of fortuitous
circumstances and advantages of loca.
ton, than any spirit of enterprise man.
Tested by their citizens. They have
grown and prospered in the absence Of
any special inducements presented by
rival points. What will be the condi.
lion of affairs with us when the course
Of travel is removed and the victoris
steamer makes the end of her route a.
Tacoma? Then, indeed, we may begir
to talk about hard times. Plainly W.
must look for some other means of sus
tanning the business that has been don,
here, and what alternative have We bu
10 accept the proposition for brancl
railroad and direct steamship commu
nication with San Francisco x
We do not desire to be considered q,
ralarmist, but would look facts plainl,
in tho face. What interests we hav,
are centered in the prosperity of ou
town and county. We have never los
faith in bright destiny for them, bu
1t will require the union of brain, sinev
and capital, and hearty cooperation t.
bring it about now, when we are to b,
ignominiously shorn of honors hereto
fore enjoyed without question or dis
pute. The directors of the Olympus
Railway and Mining Co. will he here il
few days to decide finally upon theil