The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-24
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

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wonder at the nliscalculations Of the
capitalists OF the North Pacific Railroad
who failed 10 discover the superior ad-
vantages OF many other points over
New Tacoma, which, neSertheless, was
chosen by them as terminus. There
is an almost unfathomable roadstead in
the Souud directly of New Tacoma,
iianked on the one hand by precipitous
bluffs Of slippery clay and on the other
by thousands Of acres Of mud flats, re-
quiring the whole city front to be built
upon piles. Above this fiat rise the
grand natural terraces Of which we last
week made mention but the abrupt
blutis which one must climb TO reach
them everywher require half IS many
steps as are needed 10 surmount Mar
quam's Hill in going from Portland to
the west-sids homestead lots. Then,
the face Of the country back Of the city
site is broken and rough, covered with
blackened siumps in some places, in
others with green and growing timber,
and in others with charred, deuuded
trees, the first resembling an ebony
empress upon her throne surrounded by
her subjscts, aud the last holding aloft
their skeleton arms toward heaven, ln
silent witness OF the fiery holocaust that
withered their leaves ana devoured their
life blood, ere yet the hand Of man had
laid the axe Of civilization TO the root Of
the majestic trees that are daily sue
cumbing to a fate less terrible but
equally destructive in its effects. It is
appalling TO note the waste of timber on
the shores Of Puget Sound. But there
is no use in moralizing over it, for it
! seems that Fate has doomed it to de-
struction. There is some comfort, how
ever, in the reflection that boundless
coal fields extend throughout the mighty
hills, and posterity, which has never
done anything for us, vill have enough
to 10 for themselves in digging up the
bituminous deposit to warm their
houses, move their commerce aud cook
their food, so they will have 10 time to
curse their ancestors for destroying the
forests Of to-day.
The tourist cannot understand why
Tacoma proper was not chosen as the
I terminus in preference to the New
Town. The site is as pretty, the bluff
is not PERCEPTIONS, and the harbor is in
every way superior. Aud yet, the poor
Old Town is almost dead from dearth Of
business now.
Dolph Hanna, well known in Port
lands business circles, resides at the
Old Town, where, years ago, be ex-
pended several thousand dollars iu build
ing a wharf that has been suffered to
fall into decay.
General McCaryers family resides
here in rural comfort, awaiting hopes
deferred.
We found q hospiiable welcome at the
pleasant home OF Captain Barlow aud
lady, and met goodIy audience in
School Hall. where the people were
called together by the Episcopal church
bella bell which justly claims the
proud honor Of riding the Oldest tower
in America, said tower being the stand
ing trunk Of q gigantic tree, with the
top sawed OF so high above the roof of
the church that it forms Q well-propor-
toned corner steeple.
Mr.. and Mrs. BARN, formerly OF Port
land, and Mr.. and Mrs. Bradish and
daughter, from Clackamas county, re-
side here.
It was treat to meet old friends and
[ form new acquaintauces and when, at
last, the little steamer Zephyr came in
sight, aud we repaired to the dock TO
embark for Steilacoom, we carried away
the happy conviction that the women
OF Tacoma are wide awake on the suf-
frage question, and the best men Of the
town are their able allies.
About fourteen miles further up the
bay sits Sieilacoom, formerly one Of the
busiest towns on the Sound, but now a
quiet, staid and resiful place, where
peace, plenty and dull times have sat
themselves down to patiently defy great
expectations. The firm Of McCaw &
Rogers, general merchants, seems to
carry the principal business Of this
place, where formerly there were a
dozen or more prosperous competitors.
In. the well-ordered home Of Mr.. Rog-
ers I'VE were so agreeably entertained
that we scarcely took note Of time.
Mrs. Rogers drove over with us to the
Insane Asylum one day, where wespent
several hours among those unfortunates
whose thoughts are
Combinations OF fantastic things"
The Asylum occupies the grounds and
buildings formerly used as a garrison.
The site is healthy, pretty and roomy,
and the buildings are comfortable, COM
modious and clean. The patients were,
many Of them, out strawberry ing, but
others could not be trusted away from
the Asylum grounds; and quite enough
| Of these were present 10 filb the heart
/ with sadness. We did not ask, but
could not help knowing that the major
/ ity Of the male patients have dethroned
their reason through various kinds Of
debauchery. There is TO saider sight
than that Of the insane victim Of 8
nameless crime. Some few are crazy on
religion, and one on Spiritualism. Oue
happy fellow thinks himself an electric
teIegraph Of unlversal power: and. eZ-