, 1877-08-10
OAK HARBOR MAIL LINE.


ant, and none better cared for IN the
United States than postal accommo'
dations, it behooves our government
officials to see that none are sighted.
The inhabitants of our country pay
taxes for certain priviliges-among
them that of receiving and sending
communication from and to all parts
of the world. Whenever tax'pay-
ing community of any considerable
size is deprived of this privilege in
any measure beyond at least weekly
opportunities, a wrongis being forced
upon them through some cause which
the duty Of the Press plainly is to
discover, and direct attention to.
For some years past the citizens Of
Oak Harbor have been laboring un-
der disadvantages-resultingfr from
neglect of their rights-which at
times would have discouraged many
communities of less fOrbeariny ma
ture. At present this settlement
presents to the observer the spec
tacle of thriving neighbofhooA, in.
cluding about 40 settlers, (most Of
whom have families) besides a great
many transient residents, all wait
ing for their papers and letters
sometimes delayed no matter how
valuable-th weeks. The Postal
Department has been properly noti-
fed of these grievances, over the sig
natures Of many of the citizens, not
only once but repeatedly. Ali their
protests, however, have thus far
failed to secure an attention bring.
ing any efficient remedy for the evil.
1t is true that sentiment among the
people is somewhat divided regard.
ing the proper course to pursue, but
that does not in the least mitigate
the wrong as it exists, or make re-
dress any the less imperative.
1t seems that some years ago, in
answer to petition, post Office was
established at the place and weekly
mail carried. For some cause, how.
ever, the returns for the year we're al
lowed to go by default, and no re.
port was made. This had the effect
of having the route abolished, and
the Office discontinued. After time
the people becoming tired of do
ing without news-a petition was
sent asking to have the route re-es-
tablished. A second petition fol-
lowed this, and finally the object was
accomplished, making a regularly
established post Office which exists
to-day; the mail however is carried
so irregularly that great inconven-
ience, and in some instances positive
loss, has been experienced, this last
fact being the immediate cause of
complaint. Aportion of the settlers
want the route made simply an ex-
tension Of the line from Port Town
send to Coupeville, leaving con-
tract to be let to bidders for carry.
ing the mail by land from the latter
place to Oak Harbor. Others, how
ever, and a seeming large proper
ton, want it carried by the mail
steamer on her way from Seattle to
Whatcom. There can be no doubt
that this plan would serve the in,
terest Of residents of the place much
better, provided it be practicable.
There seems to be stong reluctance
on the part of the master of the
steamer Libby, now plying on the
above route, to attempt to make
regular tri ps i'll and out of the har-
Dor at all times of the year. Com
petent sailing masters aver that the
channel though narrow at low tide
is amply wide to admit of safe
navigation, and that the minimurp
depth of water in it is from 16 to Is
feet. One drawback must be obvi-
ated IN some manner, however, if the
people would secure the benefits of
regular steam communication; a
wharf must be extended far enough
at some point-to be reached at anv
stage of the tide, or otherwise a COW
cred scow built and anchored where
the steamer could run alongside and
deposit mails, passengers, freight.
etc. The latter plan would perhaps
be the easier carried out of the two
as the extensive mud flats would
wharf.
Whatever is done, the rights of
the people demand that a mail be
carried regularly, at least once a
week, and the Postal Department.
should see to it that this is done
without fail. The maste" of the
L'bbv is said TO claim that if he call,