, 1874-05-28
Under these circumstances, and so far,
the terminus has been and is signal

Under these circumstances, and so far,
the terminus has been and is signal
failure. au
But would it have been. had the North
srn Pacific Company confined in funds,
Of will it continue to be when that COM
pany have, az they will, recover from
their embarrassment That that COM
pany will obtain the aid they are seek
ing from Congress or other aid in extern
sion of time or otherwise, can scarcely
be doubted. II 50, or il the franchise
rights and privileges Of the N. P. R. r.
Company should be transferred to other
hands and the main line of that read
extended up the Columbia Riyer, or q
branch built over the Cascades via one
of the passes north of the Columbia
River, with its terminus also at Tacoma,
who doubts that with all its disadvan-
tages Tacoma will prove a powerful rival
to Seattle. That such are the designs
of that company, cannot be questioned;
and that the Oregon Steam Navigation
Company and the city of Portland, and
the State of Oregon will foster favor
and promote such q scheme, is equally
certain.
Then what is the proper course for
the people of Seattle and Puget Sound
to pursue?
There is but one answer. and that is
for the people to manifest a spirit Of
public enterprise by promptly and ener-
getically, using the means at their COM
mand. to thwart the designs of the
enemy, develope orr resources and Sc
cure the commerce naturally tributary
to Seattle.
Among other things. and the most
important of all, is . railroad from Seat
tie to Walla Walla via. the Snoqualmie
Pass, which will tap q large country
now tributary to Portland. Oregon, and
secure trade which of itself is sufficient
to support large city. The section OF
country which will thus be made tribu-
tary to Seattle, east of the Cascades,
embraces over 200. miles square, teem-
ing with developed and undeveloped
grazing, mineral and agricultural re-
sources. Then between Seattle and the
summit of the Cascades, the line of the
road passes through vast fields Of coal
and iron mines, now being opened fol-
work. The building of the road is q
grand flank movement. If Successful,
it cuts off not only Tacoma but Port
land, and secures for Seattle and Puget
Sound the trade of Eastern Washington
forever. Nay, more than that, for it is
only a question of time that the road
will be continued on over the Blue
Ridge. to connect with the Union Pa
cific in the neighborhood Of Corinne.
This, more than likely, may be effected
by junction with the Portland, Dalles
and Salt Lake road. This project is
fairly on foot. The Seattle and Walla
walla Railroad and Transportation Co.
is not only organized and in working
order, but has secured all the Territorial
legislation necessary. has the surveys Of
the whole line completed: is endeavor
ing to obtain the Congressional aid me-
cessary, and has commenced work on
the first section Of the road. There is
over three miles of the grading compile.
ted, two miles under contract. and q
large force of men at work under the
direct supervision of the Company. II
is 10 miles to the first coal mine, known
as the Renton mine. and II miles to the
next, known as the Coal Mountain mine
These mines are both being developed
and the Renton mine is now delivering
coal in small quantities by wagons and
scows. By the time this road can bt
completed, these mines will each b
able to deliver on board cars from $50 te
200 tons per day.
The Company building the road is 4
joint stock company, organized undel
and in conformity with the laws of thii
Territory, and the stockholders are thu
people of Seattle and vicinity. The
Company has already ample security il
lands, which with the road bed they car
pledge for the iron and rolling stock fol
the first section of II to 20 miles. The
main, practical, and important question
now is. will the people of Seattle
promptly con forward and furnish the
means TO finish tho grading and tie this
first section. Great undertakings re-
auire great efforts. 1.-THE gods help
those who help themselves" If Seattle
builds the first section Of the road, then,
and not till then, can she reasonably
look for aid from abroad. Seattle il
abundantly able to do what is now re-
quired Of her, and viii, if she is alive to
self.interest and not lulled into apathy
and feeling Of false security. by the
Syren song that the fates have decreed
in her favor. Such fiattery may be
pleasing, but it is . delusion and q
snare. There is no safety but in vigil
ance and self-dependence. All else is
mockery. One generation has come and
nearly passed away doing nothing but
waiting. Micawbar like. for something
to turn up. Let the present take warn
ing and be up and doing.
In the absence Of the Congressional
egislation we are seeking (and we can
not wait) we must depend entirely upon
voluntary individual contributions. :
Shall that dependence fail. viii the
people Of Seattle, after doing so much.
neglect and fail ID do the little more
necessary to crown Immediate success.
It can be satisfactorily shown and de-.