The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-02-28
DAVID HIGGINS.
Official Press of King County.
Thursday, Febr'y %. 1878.
WHY TT IS THE BEST.

In extending a railroad between Pu-
get Sound and the Yakima and Walla
Walla countries, va want to sec the
work done IN the iGtere3t OF the people
of Washington Territory. and for their
benefit not only in the operating. bu.
In the building Of it, Oar own resour-
ces should be used if possible. rather
than those Of China to be dearly paid
for in our scanty money to be drained
away.
There are few Of our citizens engaged
in active industry but can produce Z
surplus above his own needs. This
surplus in the case Of businesses which
have their machinery and facilities all
sst. i, limited only by the opportunity
to make bona .Gie sales: or. in a word,
by the extent Of their market If by
devoting Il portion Of this surplus for .
time TO build railroad which will
widen aud improve their market for all
time, they al the same time mud for
themselves q new and profitable mar
ket for their wares or produce in doing
80, they certainly will be the gamers.
A railroad Washington Territory must
have. As wages stand to day the en-
ployment Of white labor will be more
economical for the company than Chi
namen. 1t must be remem bered that
prices of every description have fallen
greatly Of late. Railroad building won't
cost like it used to. In the item OF i'm
ported iron alone, the cost is little over
one half what it was two or three years
ago.
As regards the labor question. white
mon can live off the country, like Ma
poleon's soldiers when they conquered
Italy. They will buy the farmers
wheat, beef. butter. fruit and vegeta-
bles. Cinnamon must buy rice from
China. White workingmen will spend
their money with our own tradesmen,
and sfter. the job is done pick them
selves out piece of land for a home
stead, and settle down rs permanent citi.
zsns to help make our State. and after
wards become patrons OF the road. Alb
Sin packs oil his earnings in hard cash
back to China. and sooner or later goes
there himself-the same stoicaf "hes-
then Chinee to the last.
II tho railroad company would adopt
such policy of patronizing aud de-
pending on home industry As wa have
Outlined, then if Messrs. Horton and
Denny, or Dr. Baker. or other respon-
sible persons would accept the financial
promotion of the road. and issue rail-
road construction bonds bearing ten
per cent interest. in denominations
from one to one hundred dollars, 80.
cured one half by the road as construct
ed. and the other half by subscription
notes of the farmers, business men and
property owners of Washington Terri
tory. five were engaged in selling goods
or lands. or IN renting houses or estates,
or in the production Of any kind Of
manufactured goods or agricultural
produce whatever. we would not hest.
tate to take all of such bonds At par
that We could get in the way of trade
or dues White laborers would be glad
to take them in payment If they could
get with them the necessaries of life,
Citizens. one and all, if thi.
desired work were started IN this way
you would find your business greatly
improved thereby. aud you would be
tho richer by it for all time. only in.
sisting that financially the enterprise
shall be managed economically aud hon.
estly. and that its ,lebentures shall
never be allowed to be issued beyond
the limit of its sound security. Giving
in this case to start the work would not
impoverlsh you. On the contrary, 1t 10
case where liberality is certain to re-
turn generous harves. Of benefit.