Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-09-29
DAILY POST IHrELLIasBCER
.oxErnlxG AsoUr ROADS.

Il was an ancient and proud boast OF
the Latin Empire in the days OF i'S
olory that all roads led to Rome, ana III
very truth the city of seven bills close
hv the Tiber. was the focal centre OF
svstem of highways which for excellence
and durability have never been equaied'
Thasa roads made the outlying provln-
css accessible, while they compelled
tribute to the then mistress OF the
world. Times change and We change
With time. Tho railroad has superseded
the necessity Of vast net work OF
,vaoon roads, AZ national and military
necessities, but for all that the general
principle which made the Applan way
and a thousand other monuments OF
ancient engineering skill, not only poll
tin but necessary in the time OF the
Cmsars remains intact. 1t addresses
itself with peculiar force to every com.
munity aspiring to healthy growth and
enlarged commercial relations. And
especially in this town OF Seattle.
While the prospect for railroad com
munications. which must in the nature
Of the case become important factors IN
her onward and upward career, Is good,
II remains as fast that there are many
localities which are by geographical po
sitions naturally the tributary TO THIS
oity which are difficult OF access BY
reason partly because Of the wretched
character Of the roads leading thereto
and partly because there are no roads
at all. Moreover the lay Of the land IL
such that there are many portions oi
our adjacent territory capable OF sup
porting prosperous communities which
no railroad will ever reach. A trifiina
expenditure, trihing compared with the
results which will be sure to follow
would be productive OF benefits II
many, if not in all cases, which would
be sensibly felt along the line.
we wish particularly to impress upon
the minds Of our County Commits
sioners. "A also OF our merchants, thai
no commercial city like Seattle IS ovs'
Connected for the first time by rail with
out certain amount Of disturbance tt
its local trade.
It il unnecessary for present purposes
10 illustrate this proposition BY refer
ence 70 fa"ts which have become his
torioal and many of which have oome
under our personal observation. Our
present purpose will be subserved, va
think by simply urging those whose
duty in the premises 10 to act, to take
hold of this matter and inaugurate a
system Of highways which will make
Seattle a point easily accessible to all
the outlying country. In doing 30 re-
gard should be had not only to the pc
cuniary interests to be subserved; the
comfort, convenience and pleasure Of
the travelling public should be taken
into consideration. There are enough
attractions within easy distance Of this
city to make it an objective point for the
tourist. Lake Washington is destined
to become tho rival Of Lake Tahoe.
That world famous mountain tarn Is
not one whit grander, lovelier or more
worthy of the homage Of the lover OF
natures loyer than our own lake.
Moreover our lake il destined to- Aecome
the seat Of great commercial activity
and of a large population. Seattle
should take time by the forelock and
make all the industries which will clus-
ter around that locality tributary to
her growth. The surest way to do this
il to make it easy for all who live there
now aud who may 90 there hereafter. to
come to this city for their supplies.
Good roads will prove the open sesame
to this result. A good road should, and
in fact must be opened to Snoqualmie
Falls.
Roads are needed to Pierce and Sno.
homish counties. HnohOmish has
offered to build to her county limo II
King will do likewise and we are in.
formed that Pierce will do the same.
The road once built to Snohomish, II
would inevitably follow that it could be
continued ON into Whatcom.
We published q short time ago the
substance Of brief interview with Mr..
Il. n. Armstrong who has been en-
Gagged in procuring the right Of way for
the railroad line to connect this city
with the Northern Pacific, in which he
stated that large bodies Of fine land lay
along the whole route. all Of whloh had
been taken up, for agricultural and
other purposes. This section will be the
ssat Of thriving industry. II is but
natural to suppose that back from the
line Of the proposed roads settlements
will spring up. which twill be necessary
10 connect with the railroad by wagon
roads. II IL simply the imperative
duty Of our people 10 look into this SUBJ
jsct and 80 that proper facilities are
extended to those about to occupy this
promising held for reaching Seattle for
their supplisA This city cannot afford
to risk the loss Of the trade Of this sec-
ton.
We might amplify these remarks but
imagine that enough has been said to
call the attention Of our citizens to this
oil important subject. In such matters,
whore great interests are at stake be-
tween rival communities, friendship
ceases, and the most active and ener-
getic succeed while the lethaIgio fail.
The past history Of Seattle shows that
when her people have realized that il Ia
nsosssAry 10 act they have proceeded 70
do 20 and We feel we'll assured that
whom they come TO considsr the matter
vs have briefly discussed. in its true
light. they will do al that Il necessary
TO b done in the premises. Let il no,
bs forgotten however that this il the
time 10 A0t and that delava ara <lauo>.