The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-09-29
vi.

Tacoma deserves more than . passing no.
tice, because it is probably destined to be
city of considerable commercial importance.
Indeed even the most superficial observer
can hardly fail to perceive that this place
has one of the most commanding positions
ON the sound and at present Seattle is the
only probable commercial rival of Tacoma.
Seattle has at this time the advantage Of an
older growth and a larger population, Of
more varied industries and Of a greater con-
centrated capital; but Tacoma possesses a
railroad to the Columbia and consequently
superior communication with the interior;
a safer harbor and undoubtedly the good will
of the Northern Pacific railroad corporation,
which is said to own 100 acres of town
property at this point; to own the whole
town plat in fact. True, several powerful
companies are stretching their iron arms to
reach the sound, among them the Chicago
and Northwestern, the Milwaukee and St.
Paul and others, so that there is not the
least doubt but that Seattle will be the OBJ
jective point of at least one Of these trans
continental giants; but just now the north
ern Pacific corporation is all powerful on
this coast, being backed by unlimited cap
ital and land grant truly imperial in its
proportions. 1t probably suits its interests
better to make Tacoma its headquarters than
Seattle, because of the large tract of land
Just spoken Of and because, with a short
railroad connection with their Portland
branch, they may hope to satisfy the de-
mands Of the land grant which requires them
to have one terminus upon the sound. They
have also an extensive dockags front on
Commencement Bay. At Seattle they pos.
sess none of these advantages and they would
have to build at least thirty-ive miles of ad.
ditohal railroad to reach the latter place,
which does not offer them single advantage
that they do not Already possess at Tacoma
with its better sheltered harbor.
From all these considerations, with the
knowledge that if individuals are guided by
motives of self interest in their actions, cor
porations are still more notorious for adopt
ing such lines Of policy as will offer them
the largest gains, l am Of opinion that they
will give the preference to Tacoma, and that
Seattle will have to wait for some other line
OF r. X. than the Northern Pacific to reach
it. 1t will have to wait several years and
this might prove one of those cases in which
delays are fatal. Such, at least, is my un.
prsjudiced view. hope for the sake Of So
attic that it may be mistaken one; at pres
ent, Seattle itself is perhaps helping her op-
ponent. by holding city property at too high
ruined by that very cause. People in this
will not buy when they must part with their
all and perhaps run in debt to secure home.
The mex: morning after my arrival and
just after breakfast, Mr.. Radebaugh drove
up to the Halstead house and invited me to
take ride into the country. Such . fine
occasion of seeing the surroundings of Ia
coma with we'll posted companion was not
to be neglected and gladly svailsd myself
Of the kind offer. We drove in . southerly
direction first, out OF the cleared land among
the stumps and logs which do not prevent
| our seeing how admirably the land lays. Its
general slope 10 to the south and east and
very gradual, except toward the edge Of the
Bay. where it becomes precipitous. The
principal street ct present 10 Pacific Avenue,
100 teet vide. and parallel to il, C street.
The Town plot consists Of succession Of
terraces rising toward the vest shove one
another and sdording more and moes sxtsn.
sivs views - you ascend. After . rise Of
perhaps OF IS or 100 feet above Pacific ave.
nue., the summit becomes IN almost level
table-land. The soil, without being very
rich, appears to be good and some Of the citi.
tens Of the place have demonstrated by &C.
tusl results that fruits. flowers and grass did
prosper we'll enough to satisfy any reasona.
able expectations; the assertions 10 the con.
trary are false.
Our road led across sseh magnificent tim.
Der - would make the heart Of our Wis.
csnsin lunbermsn leap fos joy. do moi
profess to be good judge, bat IL seems "a
me that many . single scrs nuet have
100. 900 feet Of Lumbar; the tres sss moi
gsnsrally over 20 TO - ischss through, but
& lsast 100 feet 10 hight, nearly two third
Of the way without limb and Tie proper.
t;oa a clear lsnbss nust - vssy lasSs.
l. A drive Of -four milss hspsgkt ~ 70 ~
elsasing q M. 7. 8. Al1iaG vbs live thsss
a1oos with hie vita ~ kosing = child,