, 1876-04-06

4 GROWTH OF SEATrLE.-From one
stand point. upon the hill east of the
business portion Of the city, fifty houses
can be counted in the course of con-
struction, and this, too, during the most
unpropitious season of the year for
building. During the first year the
productive business of this town has
been nearly or quite double, the popu-
lation increased at at least twenty-five
per cent, and, of course, real values
have increased in preparation. All this
has been done without scarcely an effort
on the part of the older property hold
ers, whose property has been doubled
upon their hands without themselves
contributing anything towards the in
crease. From B.lltown to the Dowarn>
ish Bay, four-fifths of the mills, ma
chine shops and manufacturing estab-
isments are run by men who but re-
Gently. if now, have had or have ahy
proprietorship in the real estate which
they are improving. while four- ifths of
the real estate is owned by non-produc-
ers.
Of course, We do not state these facts
by way of reproof or complaint. We
fully recognize the right of every man
to the enjoyment of his own possess
sions, honestly acquired. But, as Ike
Hall would say: "What reciprocity is
there in that" where one party creates
all the values and another party reaps
all the benefits of the increase. Indi- |
vidual rights are sacred, but the rule
which governs communities is the high
er law of necessity. Where the common /
interests or the common defence ia con-
cerned, those who will not volunteer |
must be drafted; and the rights of prop
erty are certainly not paramount to the
rights of person. The greatest public
benefactor in this city; the man who has
contributed more to its material wealth
than any other; is but the lessee of the
manufacturing establishment which he
operates. 1t is hardly necessary to say,
in ehie comm unity, that James NJ. Col
man is that man. Reduced to bank
ruptcy but few years since by devas-
tating fire, he has since, as the lessee of
the mill property of H. L. Yesler, by
industry, enterprise and business capac-
ity, accumulated a handsome compe
tsnce. every dollar of which has been
BY himself or loaned to others
sor improvements in the town. We
will suggest no comparisons between
Mr.. Colman ann others of much larger
means, because comparisons arc odious: ;
but we deem it not only duty. but q
pleasure to honor those who devote the
of their energy and skill
to the promotion of the general pros
perity.
These reflections are caused by hear
ing some of our large property holders
complaining Of high taxes.
every city improvement for the
general benefits, and refusing to SUBJ
scribe to the stock or bonds of the rail-
road, while they persistently hang to
their real estate for the.tadvanced prices
made through the hberality and public
spirit of others. 1t is fortunate for the
future prosperity of the town that
of the people have the right
to direct public expenditures for the
general good, and We only regret that
they have not the right to tax the
of the town for the building
of the railroad. It would b@ hut fair
and equitable. If they wont enlist in
cause SO manifestly for the public In
terests, there ought to be power 10
draft them.