Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-03-25
OUR LOCAL PROSPECTS.

OUR LOCAL PROSPECTS.
Time flies, and still the Olympia
Tenino Railroad scheme is as far from
fulfllment as ever, unless Mr.. Freeman
literally &c strikes lie" for us at the bay
city. Why this railroad-with the en-
ergy displayed by our people in the out
set, with the success attending its Of
forts to bond the county as security for
money loaned in its construction, and
the paramount advantages possessed by
Olympia as q competitor for the trade OF
the Sound--has not been built and
equipped years ago, is marvel to ev-
erybody aware of these advantages, and
possessing the mathematical skill nee
essary for applying the simplest rules
in numbers. The primary cause for
the defeat OF the proposition hes been
given time and again by the writer--the
unreasonable rates of profit demanded
for the use of money here, as compared
with those East, or even in California
of late years, and the consequent failure
to enlist capital at home for anything
like the probable net earnings of the
road. Whether the effect of this wet
blanket, placed upon the project by our
local capitalists, could have been avert
ed by the people, If they had set about
it in proper manner, or not, it is now
too late to discuss. In fact, it appears
that about the only thing we can do, in
reference to that project, is to quietly
suck our thumbs and await the advent
Of Moses, whose coming is about as
assured as that of the great millennium.
Now what are we to do about it
The press has done its duty and the
people have done theirs 30 far as indi-
vidual effort is concerned. But it ap-
pears that the problem is beyond their
power of solving. Would it not be we'll
to dismiss the whole subject, and direct
our attention to some other enterprise
OF general importance? If we are not
railroad builders, we may be excellent
fishermen. If we are not capitalists,
we may at least, invest our Drawn and
muscle in the cultivation of potatoes or
turnips. If each individual would set
about making business, the cry of hard
times would soon be abated. The ocean
steamers will create a market at our
very doors for all the products consumed
by our California neighbors, or ex-
ported to foreign ports. 1t is surely
not mourning more than the ordinary
risk to make test by the shipment of
any of the staples we can produce.
We have never lost faith in the ulti-
mate growth and prosperity of Olympia.
We have demonstrated that faith by
our works, and can say without egotism,
that if other business interests had kept
pace with the enterprise of our Olympia
publishers, the town to-day would be
aourishing, with thrice the population,
the railroad built and scores of other
industries developed which lie dormant
only through the general apathy which
has settled like pall over the people.
Pause and reflect! Is there not, gen.
tie reader, some way in which you can
relieve this condition of affairs Can't
you, if you have idle capital, do as an
enterprising firm in this place has done,
set on foot enterprises which will not
only give employment to others but
yield q lucrative return to yourself? II
You have no money, turn your hand to
some useful labor which will drive away
blue devils. and promote the public
veal. Let us abandon pursuit of the
igaas tat,.as, and follow hereafter the
real. something we understand, yield
ing o palpable and adequate return for
our labor. Let us cast aside peacock
feathers and wear garb more BETTING
our station in life.