Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-06-25

the great territory of Dakota, it has
doomed as probably no other city is boom
ing elsewhere at the present time. It may
be said to present many of the features of
a young mining town, where rich ore de-
posts have just been struck. Every house
of public entertainment is full to over
flowing, halls are crowded with cots, and
tents are spread on the greensward of the
prairie. The streets are thronged with an
eager multitude, and all who have means
seem intent on trying their luck in some
allurlng Investment. The temptation is
indeed great, in that, on account of
100000 capitol building being about to
be erected, no immediate collapse is ap-
| pretended. Commissioners are in the city.
whose business tits to determine the site
of the capitol, and when that is done, there
will be no delay in commencing the grand
| structure. Of course this is a stimulus
| to the most active traffic in real estate. I
was shown a lot on an inferior street,
which had just sold for $500 a front foot
| The prospects of Bismarck are unques-
| tiOnably splendid, and its rapid advance to
city Of large size and importance, are
| believed to be certaid. It lacks nothing
in resources that build up cities on a per-
mauent foundation. Rail and river car
| rage of almost unlimited length, center
| ing here as focal distributing point to
| eEpanse and fertility of soil unparalleled
and the broad prairie being rapidly
peOpled by thousands of new settlers from
| ION oil
| the American Union. Under such circum-
| stances and surroundings. it seems quite
| probable that the prese Mt moderate
population of Bismarck Conly 2.5OO)
will be increased to full 10000 in q couple
| of years, and go on advancing as did Chi
| cago and st. Paul IN earlier days. Nearly
every advantage that stimulated the growth
of the last named cities exist for Bismarck.
which seems to be without fear Of any
rival.
Seated upon boulder on the highest
attainable eminence overlooking the great
est expanse Of territory, I scan the vast
panorama spread out before me and be-
meath. But 1t is a scene Of vastness with
few salient features. The beautiful iron
bridge of the Northern Pacific, costing one
million dollars, spans the river below me.
The cities of Bismarck and Mandan are in
sight-the former two, and the latter three
miles away; and ''far as the eye discerns,'
| the Missouri winds its course through level
| flats, between rather low, undulating banks.
not rising here to the dignity of bluffs.
Slow winds the far descended food.
Surcharged with solvent sand and mud;
Yet bearing on its gurgling breast
The commerce of the grand Northwest.
Not ripple is seen or heard from where
sit, and the roilly stream looks better
adapted for polling scows and canal boats
among its numerous bends and bayous.
than for floating scores of first class
steamers twelve hundred miles up stream
and down to the Gulf of Mexico.
Bismarck appears great mart for lum-
Der and agricultural machinery-acres of
ground being covered by these. What
thousands of future tenements and freshly
opened farms are represented by these in
dispensable requisites of each new settler.
At this point one is able to learn,
with tolerable degree OF certainty, the
progress of thc Northern Pacific road to-
ward completion, as trains daily arrive and
depart for Helena, the ca ital of Montana,
$50 miles west of Bismarck and 1.155 from
st. Paul. Beyond Helena is an uncom-
pleted gap of some 125 to $50 miles, in the
heart OF Montana, over which a line of four
horse Concord coaches are run in thirteen
hours, at fare of $15 and forty pounds of
baggage allowed. All over this weight is
charged ten cents per pound. Beyond the
stage haul comes the western stretch of
completed road of about 600 miles to
Portland and $50 to New Tacoma. the ter
minus OF the road on Puget's sound II !
appears to 6e the settled conviction of the
best Informed, that trains will be run
through from st. Paul to the Pacific bv
September 1, although it may take much
longer to carry the tunnel work to abso-
lutte completion.
1t is unpleasant to be obliged to record
anything discreditable to the management
of such stupendous enterprise as the
Northern Pacific road. Bat cupidity is a
human Or inhuman trait OF corporations.
as well as individuals. Immigrants ex-
pecting any preference or favor to be
shown them simply because they have
read IL the cCmpany's circulars that such
would be extended, viii 1iud themselves
disappointed when they come to put the !
comPany's Hberality 70 the test. The truth !
Is, the fear OF competitive lines Is the par
ent Of all It's hberality. Let ore set cut !
from st. Paul, where agents of other trans |
continental companies stand ready 20 issue !
tJchotS at aIIuTlnS TaCeS, and the Northern /
Pacific VIII OUtVie them in low fares. But |
an immigrant striking the road from one |
TO $50 miles west OF s.. Paul, and 10! the |
distance already upon mis- way.
If bound for the Pacific coast. |
counts for nought, and ne may esteem /
himself fortunate If he can set ST. Paul /
rates. But these he cannot get. and is |
compelled to pay frst-class rates from |
wherever ne sets out, west of St. Paul. |
The need of a superior officer of the road |
at this point IS obvious to many. as chaos |
and confusion reign il the freight depart
ment. and capability and authority both |
seem needed to regulate it. Inattention |
and incivility are no less marked among |
the employees. The Erie company is the |
only one, SO far as the writer has observed. |
that ever sought to enforce the rule re- |
quiring its employees to handle freight |
with care, and to demean themselves |
obligingly and courteously to the always |
inqui5itive traveller. The Northern Pacific |
evidently follows no such precedent, not
withstanding that it requests reports by
travellers of all delinquencies of its agents |