The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-08-03
VANCOUVER INDEPENDENT.
THURSDAY. AUGUST 5, 1882.
The area OF the military department.

OF the C0lumola Is 2ol,OUO square
miles, the area of the department of
California is still larger, and that of
Arizona nearly equal to it, while the
whole combined with Alaska makes
an area of over 100000 square miles.
This vast Territory is sparsely popu-
lated, and filed in many parts with
hostile natives, kept in subsection by
a small portion of the national forces.
The posts are few and far between,
most of them lily provided with build
ings and works necessary to their
maintenance. 1t is the duty of con-
gress to make such special appropria-
tions as are necessary for these pur-
poses, especially so where the appro-
priations have been recommended
from commanding officers up to the
general of the army and the war de-
partment. Yet for the year 1882 but
one small appropriation is made for
all this vast Territory west of the
Rocky mountains, and that was for
an unimportant post in California.
The department of the Columbia does
not get dollar for the construction OF
posts or the repair of buildings. S4O,-
600 was asked for the building of Fort
Spokane, $4,000 was asked for the
building of the post at Walla Walla,
$4,000 was asked for the putting up
of necessary buildings and making
improvements at Vancouver Barracks,
and other sums making a total of
S175,000. All had been approved by
the commanding officers of the posts,
the commander of the department,
the general of the army, and the Sec
rotary of war, and in full justice to
the necessities of the military arm of
the government should have been
granted. Congress can spare millions
for the improvement of some little
creek in West Virginia, but not dol
lar for works that are absolutely ne
cessary beyond the Rockies. Congress
has been remiss in its duties to the
west coast, while the balance of the
country is well taken care of. The de-
partment of Dakota, adjoining this on
the east, has had for its forts more
than one million dollars within few
years, and gets what is asked for this
year. The failure of appropriations
for the coast is largely due to the jeal-
ousies of Oregon and California men,
bers of Congress, and the powerless-
ness of Territorial delegates. Neither
California or Oregon wish to see this
Territory advanced in any way, ex-
cept in vassalage to them. California
fights both Oregon and Washington
in the endeavor to crush out the
Northern Pacific r. R., the only op-
position to the Central and Southern
roads. In this state of affairs it is but
little that this Territory can expect
from Oregon and California members
OF Congress, and our own delegate has
but little voice and no vote in these
matters, however much he may de-
sire to aid. 1t is more than suspected
that the Oregon members, with the
backing of the Portland board of trade
and chief business men, have put in
their work to such effect this session
that to them may be directly charged
the failure of these appropriations at
this time. 1t has been the avowed
purpose of Oregon men to prevent any
permanent improvements at Vancou-
yer Barracks, in order to secure the
removal of headquarters to Portland
again. Any permanent work done
here would be stumbling block to
their schemes, and thus they labor
unitedly to prevent improvements as
well as necessary repairs at Vancou-
yer Barracks. In their efforts to ac-
complish this much desired end they
have deprived the whole coast of its
appropriations. But that is little COM
fort to the people Of the Territory, who
we fear must continue to bear such
injustice until by increase of popuIa-
ton and wealth Washington shall
knock SO loud at the halls of state that
no man shall dare to refuse her admit
lance. Then, and not till then, shall
we be rid OF the incubus of Oregon in
justice.
Too many thieves and blacklegs are