Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-02-15
The Future Metropolis.


dictate that it shall be? As matter
of course, half dozen localities will
claim the site. Portland and As
toria, basing their claim for pre-emi-
nence on the navigation of the Co
lumbia and Willamette rivers, and
Port Townsend, Seattle Tacoma and
Olympia, placing their faith upon
the superior advantages of Puget
Sound. As matter of speculation,
merely, we propose to review and
compare the relative adaptability of
each, not claiming to be entirely
free from bias or prejudice, as that
is scarcely 10 be expected amid the
imperfections incident to human ma
ture.
Wherever the future metropolis
of the Northwest is built, we affirm
that no definite conclusion can be
based upon the present status or
growth of any place. The develop
ment of great commercial centres Oh
the Pacific Coast will result from
the same cause that built them up
on the Atlantic side. And what
was this? Simply the cheapest and
best and most extended lines of
communication with the interior.
Baltimore, with its lines of railroad
and its Chesapeake and Ohio canal,
entirely outstripped its competitor,
Norfolk, down by the sea, notwith-
standing its accessible, safe and
commodious harbor. Baltimore, al
though 200 miles inland, command
ed share of the western trade, and
80 has become one of the great
centres of trade. Philadelphia has
struggled to share the same western
trade with her, and being situated
in more populous region, has out
stripped Baltimore in the race.
Boston, far distant from the great
Mississippi valley, has fallen some
what behind, Notwithstanding her
abundant capital and the proverbial
energy and enterprise of her people.
New York, however, by virtue of
her imperial position has become
the metropolis of the continent.
Her lines of communication with the
interior have reached farther and
commanded more trade than those
of any other city. By means of her
Champlain end Erie canals and her
numerous railroads she has secured
the trade of the Canadas and the
commerce of the great lakes. Let
the rivals for supremacy profit by
her example.
In forming an opinion as to where
the best natural adoption exists for a
great commercial center, a stranger,
relying upon the map alone, would
doubtless select some point near the
mouth of the Columbia river. Un-
Obstructed river navigation always
has been and always will be, cheaper
than railroads. This is especially
the case when they have to surmount
mountain ranges like the Cascades,
from 1000 to 5000 feet in hight.
But the Columbia is, by no means,
an uIobstructed river. It runs
through volcanic region, and its
channel has been disturbed by up
heavals, making numerous portages
necessary, while a bar exists at its
mouth that has been styled The
Terror of all Mariners" Steam tugs
may have removed much of the dan
ger, but SO long as insurance COM
panies have to pay for an occasional
loss of deep-laden vessels. so long
will the trade of the Columbia be
embarrassed by high rates Of insur-
ance. A serpentine channel, the
depth of which may be lessened sew
eral feet by violent gale, will not
be depended upon by commerce,
while free and unobstructed high
way from the ocean lies almost side
by-side with the same river, and
which is, likewise, much nearer the
great interior from which the pre-
ducts of trade are to be garnered
and from the result of which the
city of the future is to be bull. The
Columbia river, for these reasons,
can never secure the metropolis.
Portland with its beautiful Viii
lamette will always be a thriving
inland city, but Puget Sou nd must
furnish the great mart. And now.