The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1883-08-31
OF Practical Benefit.

On Thursday September 18th the
English and German visitors who
shall have witnessed the ceremonies
attending the driving Of the last spike
aud who shall have been feted in
Portland, viii visit Astoria. On the
following day the general guests. COM
prising the larger portion OF the ex-
cursion party will visit us. The pre-
sumption is that Henry Willard will
accompany the former party. The
advisability of giving these .distin-
guished visitors fitting reception is so
apparent that it is unnecessary TO
more than indicate its importance.
We occupy a most advantageous posi-
ton, but our geographical position is
of present secondary importance TO its
general understanding. The promi-
nent feature of the reception given
those gentlemen might be conducive
to their pleasure as well as our profit
by giving them an opportunity to
zoe what We are and what we have.
Two steamers could he charted con-
veying the guests around Smiths
point and up YOung's River, showing
our trsnscontinental and transoceanic
friends the two magnificent harbors
that Astoria possesses; the unrivalled
facilities for commerce; the great sim
ilarity between New York and Astoria
in the location Of each city upon a
narrow peninsula, washed by the wa
ters of two great rivers, navIgable
for ocean steamers and sailing vessels,
Two other steamers could take those
who prefer, to the bar Of which so
much has been said and sung. For
those who delight in scenery, num-
Der Of carriages could be provided and
from Coxcomb hill and other points a
panorama of exceeding beauty could
be shown them. Points of historic
interest could be visited; our great
fishing and numbering interests could
be briefly brought to notice, and with
all hospitable feeling evinced that
would not be amiss.
Nor need other attributes of hOspi-
tality be lacking. We infer that Mr.
Willard provides for the comforts Of his
guests in such a princely manner that
nothing In the cuisine department is
lacking, and nothing in the matter Of
eating and drinking could be furnish
ed; yet our resources of fish and game
could contribute to their taste; fresh
oysters from Shoalwater bay, fresh
trout from our streams, fresh salmon
from our rivers, fresh CLANS from our
shores, all of unequaled flavor could
be furnished the stewards Of the boats
whose pleasure it would be to dish
them up for the delectation Of their
guests.
True, Mr.. Willard has never looked
upon Astoria with a friendly eye.
But what of that. Here is an assem-
blage ofrepresentative men, capitalists,
6nanciers, merchants, journalists,
men of brains, understanding, intelli-
gence. For purely selfish reasons it
behooves us to make a good impress
sion; TO cause those people to carry
away'a favorable opinion of the place,
pleasant remembrance of the
people. Everyone does not realize
how "well Gxed' we are in Astoria.
Let ours be the pleasant duty of
evincing our advantages and pros
perity.
AT the last meeting of the Astoria
chamber of commerce this matter was
brought up, and the secretary was in
structed to ascertain by telegraphic
communication with Mr. Willard, how
long the party would stop. The city
council, at its last regular meeting
a,,khorizad the o,,,,oin+,n,, ,f N oo,,,
mittee to cooperate with the chamber
of commerce in regard to receiv-
ing these gentlemen. All that is
necessary is to formulate the matter
and provide the necessary funds.
Sesttle is going to spend $1,000 tc
welcome them to the Sound; the sea-
port of Oregon can well afford to en-.
tertain the men who will be here tC
visit MS on September 18th and 14th.