The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-06-01
THE WAGON ROAD MEETING.

coursed by The Pacific Cornet Baud, .
far audience assembled in Yesler's Hall
last evening to hear the feasibility of
lie building of wagon road across the
mountains discussed.
On motion Of Judge Jacobs, Mayor
Brown was called to the chair, and
talked at some length in favor Of the
project unde: consideration.
Judge Jacobs then stepped forward
and stated that since the last meeting
the world hid moved. When he first
came home from Washington he heard
SD much cracking about hard times that
he had become almost frightened. but
now the complaints of hard times were
almost confined TO chronic umblers.
Admitting that times were not as good
as formerly, yet the destiny Of Seattle
depends wholly upon the pluck, energy
aud enterprise of her citizens the
people must help themselves actions
are what tell. The Judge said he ad-
mired the Yankees as people because
they were always willing to contribute
TO the common interest. He was con.
WINGED that the wagon road project was
feasible. and he was in for pushing it
through. Th-re is enough capital here,
ard all that is required is for every man
to do bis share. II the people do ret
feel equal to wagon road. be was in
for something that they could accom-
plish. il it be only pack trail. We
must put our shoulders to the wheel.
Of course there are difficulties to over
come. but men are the only kind of an
finals that ever overcome difficulties.
Are we men: We have long boasted
of our beautiful inland sea, our primeval
forests. our productive soil. our ship.
building facilities, our mag nifcent
scenery. our rich mineral lands, and
other natural advantages. Have we
been deluding ourselves? II not true,
then it is all humbug, aud the speaker
did not wish to engage in the humbug
business 1; it is true that we possess
all these advantages and resources. who
will say that Seattle is on her last legs
He did not believe any such thing.
Seattle would never retrograde. pro-
vided the people take hold and help
themselves. There's work ahead. 1t
is said that $4,000 would be amply
sufficient to build good substantial
wagon road across the mountains, and
tap the rich plains beyond. A road
was already open the entire distance.
and from three to five thousand head of
cattle every year came over it to the
Sound. II the above amount was ex-
pended on the road, sheep and hogs
would also be driven over in great
numbers. The Judge than demon
strated that the money invested in u
toll road would he paying investment.
At low figure tho cattle traffic, in
Guiding what now goes down the Co
lumbia. would amount to $1,000 per
year. sheep and hogs $500. and $4,000
from other sources. This would be
sufficient income to keep the road in
good condition and pay handsome
dividend besides. This is not all as
soon as the road is completed, every
citizen of the Yakima and Kittitas val
lies will throw his entire trade into
Seattle. These things are nice to con-
template, but we must not sit down
and do nothing. The gods help those
who help themselves. Napoleon bad
once said that he always found God OH
the side of the heaviest battalion. and
He would be on our side If the people
take THO right hold on this matter. IT
the people do not 60 in aud push this
project through. the Judge declared
that he would call for volunteers and
build q trail himself. to show that
something can be done. It required
more or less sacrifices. but if brave men
had not made noble sacrifices for their
country's sake, We would now have no
Union. His great desire was to i'm
press it upon the people that now is
their golden opportunity to help them
selves.
james McNaught was called for. ami
responded IN . terss little speech OF
fifteen minutes duration. He was
among the croakers of hard times.
Had found thousands out of work and
money in San Francisco. and many in
the same condition throughout Oregon
and Washington Territory; but Seattle
was moro exempt from hard times than
any of her neighbors. The question is,
what shall we do to help ourselves ?
Believed the road. II built, would pay
provided Legislation was obtained al
lowing the company to collect tolls. If
Judge Jacobs considered it of sufficient
importance to put his money into it.
no McNaught) would also take some
stock-an equal amount with the
Judge. Some one stated that Judge
Jacobs had taken four $25 shares.
whereupon Mr.. NJ. took like amount,
but afterwards raised to ten instead Of
four. All who own foot of land here.
all who have money. all business men.
merchants, hotel keepers. stablemen,
mon in the stock business. and all
others we're admonished to give OF
their means libcrally toward tho
furtherance Of this project, IS it would
be tho means OF bringing Thousands
upon thousands OF dollars OF trade to
this city. Capt. Carroll had told the
speater that in his judgment the time
was not far distant when nins-tenths Of
tho trade that now flows into the
Columbia river would DO changed to
Puget Sound, and the sooner our PEG
pie got connected with our eastern
brothers the quicker the much desired
result would be accomplished. Let
every property holder take two. three.
four or Eve shares Of stock in the road
and its accomplishment would 10