The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-07-22
TIME FOR ACTION.

flush tide that foated the gfeae era of
railroad building extending from 1863
to 1873, was signslized at its cont
mencement by the building of the Cen I
trail Pacific road which doubled the
wealth of San Francisco, while the
Northern Pacific at the close of the
period was stranded on the lea shore of
its ebb. The signs of the tunes now
are favorable for a recommencement of
enterprise The Northern Pacific COM
pany have been recruiting their
strength for fresh and through drive
during the past five years of rest.
Their chief engineer is now on the
Sound and a new survey through the
Cascades has been ordered.
At the same time a rival power is
quietly but swiftly making gigantic
strides towards the dazzling objective
Of the great prize OF Puget Sound com
merce. Jay Gould the railroad king of
Wall street and the master of the
Union and Central Pacific system is
pushing his Utah and Northern mar
row gauge road with marvellous rapid
ty. II is already well away across
Idaho aud 1876 miles north from Ogden.
Before winter it is expected to reach
Snake river, and in due time Walls
Walla. To our Seattle and Wslla
Walla company belongs of right
the prerogative TO treat with
that corporation for terms of con-
nection. 1t behooves us to be STIR
ing apace, or when the time comes to
be there we will be no where instead;
and we may rest assured that the North
ern Pacific company will not stand by
idle and not make an effort to head off
both rivals and be in at the junction
first. If there is to be a race, il is i'm.
perative on the s. & w. w. Company
to start at once.
Five years ago the people of Seattle
with unanimity such as is seldom wit
Eessed in community. and with a
hearty enthusiasm that was not loud
but deep. determined, few in number
though they then were and poorer than
now. that they wocld have railroad
that would bind the east and west of
tho Territory together in an eternal
reciprocity of mutual benefit and inter-
change. In pursuance of that resolve
they have built and equipped twenty
miles of road now doing heavy bust
ness, aud retrieved the fortunes of the
city from the ruin that impended then
to q renewal of the old prosperity.
1t has happened in the course of
events that hard times agaiu Nave come
npon us and again we are called upon
in order to redeem the fortunes of our
good city to put our shoulders to the
wheel in the spirit of sacrifice and
unselfish patriotism, and unite as one
man for the public welfare. in push,
ing on our road toward final compile
tion.
With determined front and public
spirited unity of action on the part of
oil live citizens. the werk can be car
ried successfully through Listen not
to the creakings or imagined objections
and cavils Of obstructers and enemies of
the prosperity of the town, but do an
independent citizens duty on the pre-
misses. irrespective of surmises or dcs-
pendent deprecations of any one. Only
thus can we get the road
In 1878 stampede from the town
commenced after the terminus disap-
pointmenr. and was only arrested by
tho resolute movement that was made
then for railroad in our own behalf.
So during the earlier half of this year,
the hard times have caused family
after family to depart and house after
house to be left vacant. We have seen
the public square thronged day after
day with auctions of second ha:.d fur.
niture and household effects. Only
since the prospect has begun to look
bright for the recommencement OF
work on the s. & w. w. r. r. has this
ebb tide teea arrest Vi and change 70,
the batter become apparent. The pro-
gress or retrogression of the town i:
measured by the strengthening or de,
cline OF the public hope concerning the
advance Of the railroad. Let this hops
now be struck down. the town viii
receive q backset under which il will
reel to its foundations.
Admit that the IN. =. Company i.
strong and wealthy and fully purpose
some day to build its branch through
the Cascades We cannot depend OF
what others may do for Us when the,
get ready. bat only on what We az,
prepared to do for ourselves. We ar,
many as compared with the N. Z. cor
poration. We are on the ground ant
they have to operate from New York
They have to wait on the slow delibera
tions of Congress TO some extent. w,
are unhampered in any such way, bu
have q clear Geld. and are masters q