Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1880-01-09
Paiouse Navigation.

Our territorial Legislature has de
clarcd the north Palouso navigable
stream to near the Washington line,
and the Washington legislature has
declared it navigable west of this line
If these acts of legislature were all that
is necessary then truly our Palouse
people would be fortunate. But hay
ing passed up and down the stream
about 25 miles east of Palouse City we
are forced to the conclusion that some
thing more is wanting to make this
stream of great utility as navigable
stream. 1t drains considerable coun-
try and penctrates east from the
Washington line into the heart of
some Of the best timber land in
Idaho. This consists of white, yellow
and black pine, cedar, red and white
fir, and tamarack. The white pine
and cedar is of large and sound growth
and makes the best class Of finishing
lumber to he found on the coast
Much of this timber is easy of access
to the stream. Hence the Importance
of utilizing the stream for the purpose
Of transporting this timber or the lum-
| Der manufactured from it to the prai-
RE country west whore the condition
of the rapidly increasing settlements
creates constant demand at remuncr-
atlve prices. The present laws in re-
lation to cutting timber on public
lands, as at present interpreted, and
attempted to be enforced, are very
| burdensomc to the new settlers remote
from timber The present prohibi
tons in regard to cutting operate ad
versely to the investment of means tc
improve this stream for rafting anc
driving down logs and lumber. Re
move these restrictions and make il
lawful to cut this timber and convert
it to lumber and sell it to the settler
who need it, and money will. soon b.
forth coming to improve this stream
so that it can be utilized for the trans
portation of logs and lumber at leas
six months in each year. This can b.
done for distance of 80 or 40 mile
east of Palouse City, about 25 mile
of which distance will be through tn
| heart Of this fine timber section. Tn
channel of the stream is now obstruct
ed by logs imbeded in the sand am
gravel with occasional rocks, and b
over hanging brush and limbs of trees
These have diverted the current so a
} to wash the banks and make the char
mel very crooked, and at high waite
, forcing the water out over the bank
upon the bottom lands A few thou
sand dollars judiciously expended woul
remove all this rubbish and clear an
straiten the channel so that at IN,
uiuNi oNhSVy 10 WCli tSS az q uISu StstS
, of water in the stream, either logs G
. lumber could be transported by til
| current to any point for distance {
9 40 miles, and with triiing cxpens
{ Some have thought that congre.
g should be applied to for an appropri'
!, ton for the purpose Of clearing tn
stream. But while it might be iu:
$ and proper expenditure from tho pul
i lie treasury, yet we fear that the pc,
v pie who need the benefit of this nav
a cation, would have to wait much tc
long before congressional aid would |
II realized. Therefore, if congress wi
9 modify our timber laws to suit o,
t condition, private means and ente
g prise, will soon open this river al
8 utilize its waters to degree that wi
greatly benefit both themselves al
the settlers.
AT -.