Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-21

JOHN ATIgy sFKECH.
Mr.. John Muir. being ON the eve OF
departure from Portland. was banquet
ed last Thursday evening in that city
and in response to "The Guest Of the
Evening" spoke as follows:
When I was informed that before my
| departure for the East I vas to be the
honored recipient of q complimentary
dinner, the first thought that hashs
upon me, for moment disipatin2 the
pleasant impression conveyed, was the
fact that it involved Q speech.
Speech making Is hardly in my line.
1t is something in which ! do not excel.
have been accustomed to making
rates for both high and low, but for
making speeches can profess no abil-
ity. Putting aside, therefore, any at
tempt to do that which must prove q
failure, permit me TO conflne myself 20
plain statements, and brief review of
my surroundings since ! have had the
pleasure Of living on this coast.
Three years age this coming Decem-
Der first saw Oregon from the deck of
the State Of California. IL was q long
and stormy trip from San Francisco. II
Oregon il first bsheld by new corners
with half the JOY that filed my breast,
and which, by the way, could contain
nothing else, il ID reason enough to me
Why people should love to remain With
in her hospitable shores, and make this
their home and habitation. Applause
Upon my arrival assumed charge Of
the freight and passenger departments
Of the Oregon Railway and Navigation
Company which had but recently been
formed by the consolidation of the Ore
Ron Steamship Company and the Ore
Ron Steam Navigation Company. The
railroad interest at that time consisted
OF less than 100 miles. The water in
tsrest was the other factor. Bat, see
ing, or assuming to see, what was before
us in the way of railroad Transports
ton and the prominence which il was
to have in the great scheme Of this
northwest country, We changed the sys-
tenn OF handling the business as soon a.
practicable, to conform to the most ap-
proved railroad methods.
All important changes beRet friction
and this was no exception. The first
six months of my residence here was
full Of worry and trials. was some
times discouraged but was always sus-
tanned by the belief that il would come
out all highland it did. (Applause).
Those troubles are now happily passed
and we have our hands full taking care
Of new business which is rapidly crowd
ing upon US.
II is needless fer me TO dilate upon
the remarkable growth Of our transpor-
tation system, with your valuable 90
and the consequent unpar-
alleled development of our country. We
have great work before "a, and q large
country yet to develop. The eyes Of the
entire United States, and other parts of
the world, are directe toward us.
We now have on this coast, in this
section of the northwest, 1900 miles
Of rail transportation lines, and, in less
than two months, when our great trans
highway is completed when
the Northern Pacific railway links to-
gether the east and the west-we shall |
have in our system not less than 800 |
miles of railroad Uncover 1000 miles |
of which, from the great lakes to the |
Pacific ocean-will be q continuous |
span, under the longest continuous rail |
line under one management in the |
world. Let me impress upon YOU the |
OF this lone management"
idea, particularly in its relation to traf-
DC. BY it traffic is interchanQed, natur-
ally in accordance with the ability of |
one section Of the country to supply
Ihave now in mind an instance where
for q time through the autagonistic |
policy of two rival ends of the other |
route, goods from the |
Pacific coast were entirely shut ont of |
Montana. This condition of affairs |
cannot exist with Us. Under one man
one ownership, We make our
rates for all sections Of our line and let |
our business divide geographically. |
Each Territory, State or section can |
seek the business Of another on fair |
and even footing. Within the limits Of |
our own transportation system We will |
exchange the commerce of eight of the |
largest and most important States and |
Territories, stretching in one grand
sweep from the great interior lakes more
than 5000 miles to the borders of the
Arctic ocean on the north and the Gulf
Of California on the south. Having this
great transportation system, it behooves
rs to give careful thought 10 the man
agement.
at ia excellent to have a giants
strength, but it
Is tyrannous to use il a. giant"
Mr.. Willard, in his various speeches
and talks with you, has been very frank
in stating what our policy il to be. II
We And that We can stimulate a struQ-
Cling business by making low rate, We
make that rate. We believe in the
identity of interests of shipper and
company. (Applause. Our policy 10
one Of advancement, its Law IL progress.
"a point which was yesterday invisible
is our goal today, and will be our start
ing post tomorrow"
Mr.. Chairman and friends, I need
not say that feel greatly complimented
at this honor which You have done me.
/ regard 1t not only a. personal CON-
pliment, but accept it in my official o.
pacity a. representing the traffic de-
partment Of these great transportation
companies.
Three Of the happiest years Of my life
have been spent on this coast. love
Portland. esteem ito people. Port
land,
(which ne'er q town surpasses,
For honest men and bonny lasses."
/ leave It with regret, and although
leaving II as place Of temporary rem.
dence, being still connected with You
in business way, do not regard IL a.
. permanent severance. shall be out
here often TO see you.
"The friends I've made and their
adoption tried will Rfapple them 10
my SOUL" not with hooks but With rails
Of steel. stretching their giant length
from my new TO my old homo. from Sc.
Paul TO Portland, from the great lakes
10 the Pacific ocean.
I hope, when sitting in my Office in