The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-12-25
wIILAmnTTn VALLEY s COAST a. R,

The Evening Bulletin, Of Nov. 23d,
and the Ala California Of Dec. 1st,
refer to it at length in their leading
columns, and though, perhaps not
quite exact as to details, yet very fair
ly represent the main features and
advantages of the new enterprise.
II is doubtless the belief, or, nj
least, expressed opinion Of the citi-
zens Of Portland-the present COM
mercial capital Of Oregon-that their
established position and concentrated
capital must continue to secure to
their city the command Of the trade
of the Willamette valley and of the
whole State. By them, Portland is
regarded in the same relation to the
State Of Oregon, as San Francisco is
to the State Of California, or New
York City to the State of that name.
Without, however, going into any
heightened or close comparison Of
these great cities and States, it will
be apparent on moments consider
alton, that Portland bears no such
relation as is here assumed for it,
San Francisco and New York are
great and central (coast line) cities,
with harbors immediate on the sea,
md in direct communication with
the interior Of their respective States
Portland is an inland city, a long way
distant from the sea and accessible
therefrom only by a river, which is
NOT always certain or navigable. 1t
is also on the extreme northern limit
of this State, almost on the boundary
line, and from its position, as much
belonging to Washington Territory as
Oregon. The great Willamette val
ley, from which chiefly, if not wholly,
Portland derives all its trade, COM
mences long way South from Port
land, and thence stretches southerly
about 100 miles parallel with the sea
coast and much nearer to the seas
during its whole extent, than is Port.
land itself. The natural communica-
ton with the sens should then be
sought somewhere on the coast par
allel with it, and Yaquina Bay, as
suming it to be safe and sufficiently
capacious, seems to offer this outlet.
Upon the points Of safety and capac-
ity-that is, comparatively with tho
other ports on tho coast Of Oregon
oil reasonable assurances are afforded
by the U. s. Coast Survey. From
the words Of the report on this head,
we observe the "channel of Yaquina
Bay to have decided advantage
over the other places on the coast,
and to be so straight and well defined
that with pilot or event chart YES
sells drawing 12 or Is feet can enter
and depart with perfect safety *
and should the harbor become Of
sufficient importance, astearn tugs
could take vessels out and in draw.
ing more water" 1t may be said
that this is not sufficient depth OF
water for large foreign trade, but
it is as much as Portland itself can
now afford to its commerce, and one
expenditure equals to that which is
yearlyappropriated, necessary for Col.
umbia river, would render Yaquina
harbor safe and easy for the largest
ships. This expenditure could, we
suppose, be secured by proper ap-
plication to Congress through the
Oregon representatives there, and we
think the Directors OF the now en-
terpriso should give this their atten-
tion. Many Of the small coast har-
bors Or inlets, Of California are now
having expended upon them large
amounts Of public money, while the
interest to be developed thereby can
not compare in Importance with the
Willamette valley.
Let us now summarize the difference
between the direct trade, for the
State Of Oregon, or the principal
part Of it through Yaquina Bay,
and the present route of passenger
and freight via Portland. Albany IS
distant, in q direct line, from va
qulna Day ABOUT 0U miles. 1t is dis |
tant from the sea pia Portland about
200 miles. In addition should be
mentioned the distance from the
mouth Of the Columbia river to va
quina, over which the imports and
exports Of Oregon have to pass to aud
from all foreign ports, with the OK
ception Of China. Here, then, is d
saving to be effected Of over two.
thirds in distance and consequent
time IN transportation, which must
insure all trade and freight to the
new route, whenever ready to receive
it.
We cannot believe that concentla-
ton Of capital Or opposing interests
elsewhere can counteryail this ad-
Of position. 1t will be the
old story Of trade and commerce
which invariably find the cheapest