Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-16

A RIVAL r. VICTORIA
Alberni. the Fssare Metropolis ef Bsit
Lab Cslunhla.
| ISanaimo Free Press
The air has been full OF half fledpel
| reports for the last month or two amen,
the intention Of n. Dunsmuir and hi
associates. In case they get the railway
and lands under the provisions Of the
settlement bill, to make Alberni, on the
west coast, the metropolis of British
Columbia The undenied report a fex
weeks ago that the embryo Island Rail
way syndicate had individually and by
proxy purchased large amount of land
ranging from the head of the Alberni
Canal down 70 Barclay sound increased
the general belief in the trutbfulness OF
these reports, and great many we'll in
formed people placed almost implicit
credence IN these metropolis rumors. I:
now appears that the statements were
full OF truth. Within the last few days
retired gentlemen of this city, and
who Is lifelong Al d confidential friend
OF both Mr.. Dunsmuir and the Domin-
Ion Agent-the contracting parties to
the Island Railway erab-has publicly
stated to business men of this city that
1t Is the intention of the Island Railway
syndicate, should they get the Reserve
oelt, 10 at once commence the CON-
struction Of. and within two years CON-
plete. line of railway from some point
north OF NanaimO and across tho Island
70 Alberni, and that ferry will connect
the former point with the terminus of
the Canadian Pacific Railway ON the
mainland. 1t Is calculated that this
line across the Island will make Alberni
the practical Western terminus of the
canadian railway system, and that
ships and steamships Will make Barclay
sound the entrepot for all the oriental
traffic. It must BE- apparent that such
a scheme would prove the death knel;
OF the commercial interests of Victoria
and the east coast of Vancouver,
south of Nanaimo. This move is bold
one, and enc that the dear public of
Victoria and the east coast, With its
dozen votes in the local Legislature, vas
70 be kept in entire ignorance Of until
the Island Railway monopoly was
signed, sealed and delivered and outside
tho pale Of revocation. Not only il the
move bold ono, but it is fraught with
the utmost danger to all tho business
and vested interests Of Nanaimo, Vic
toria and the lever. east coast generally.
IL will build up on the west coast . me-
tropolis that in . decade or two will be
q rival to San Francisco. At the present
time Victoria looks forward with joyous
hopes that the day il not far distant
vhen the preseut capital would stand
side BY side IN commercial supremacy
with the Western metropolis Of the
United States. The deep laid schsme
TO transfer the practical and actual tor.
minus from the east coast to the west
coast Of Vancouver Island, 10 Q question
In which Viotoria and Nanaimo have
Of interest. The statement
made BY the mutual conAdential
friend" leaves not shadow Of doubt ~
70 The ultsrior and sinister motives Of
the Island Railway syndicate, who got
the 100000 acres Of land under the
provisions Of the Settlement Act, and
they will virtually do - they like With
the deotinies Of this island. Il cannot
b gainsaid that Barclay SQUAD pre-
Dents very favorable facilities, both By
- geographical position and tho excel
lent accommodation Il would afford TO
chipping. without taking into coosidesa-
sion that it opeos Immediately to the
ocean (thus REDUCING t0WAge to .
and u in the direct route Of
vessels from the north, south and west.
Saoh being The true state Of affairs, and
now that We know positively the sinister
intentions OF the Syndicate, Is becomes
to the residents OF the east coast, from
Colnox 10 Victoria, both inclusive. Q
matter Of self-pseservation which ID
said to - the 6rst Law Of nature. The
same principle applies equally strong to
financial matters. The formation Of q
rival metropolis on the west Guest means
the certain curtailment, il not tho on
tire destruction, Of every commercial
enterprise on the east coast. Il means
. depreciation in value of real estate,
and by-the-b bye this may be tho reason
Why certain knowing ones at the capital
are quietly unloading" real estate at
the present good prices, knowing full
we'll shat this scheme Of tho embryo
Syndicate will "knook tho bottom. out
Of landed property on the east coast. II
it should suit tho Syndicate TO open up
coal mines, the product would be ship
ped at Albesni, thus taking all the ship
ping to tho west coast. This NO doubt
10 the reason the Settlement Act gives
the company power to construct branch
lines TO tho east coast, from the main
line, which will be built ON the western
boundary Of the donated 1900, 900 acres
Of coal land. There 10 too much truth
In the statement that tho line will be
taken around BY the way Of Sooke and
mp The center Of the Island to Alberni,
with branch lines to east coast settle
ments. This 10 no fancy picture, but Q
reality that viii have to b practically
and promptly met.