The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-08
THE LEWIS RIVER IMPROVEMENT
EDITOR INDEPENDENT:

EDITOR lNDEPENDENI.
The good citizens of La Center have
been considerably exercised over the
application made by the f. T. Com
pany to the legislature to obtain the
passage of an act authorizing it to put
lock on the south fork of Lewis
river in order to make navigation
possible the year round, and accord
ingly they held an indignation meet
ing in town, made speeches and passed
resolutions of remonstrance and dis
appreciation; but it appears that not
one of them knew anything whatever
of what the ObnOTiOus bill contained.
The meeting was evidently gotten up
by someone who felt that he had been
left. At that meeting the most gross
mis-statements were made and the
most abusive language was INDUCED
in. However, it was all to no pur-
pose and did no harm, unless to those
who contributed to send a lobbyist over
to Olympia to endeavor to defeat the
measure. Perhaps the people were
not SO much to blame after all, for
they have a right to consult upon any
measures which they may think af-
fects their interest. This is legitimate,
but before using vindictives it would
be the better policy for an individual
to know what the grievance is, and it
appears from the statements made
there that not one of the speakers
claimed to know the provisions in the
bill. 1t would be too lengthy to give
the entire bill in this communication,
but | will state its principal features.
1t provides, among other things, that
the lock should he kept open to free
navigation of the river during high
and ordinary stages of water; that the
company building the lock could
charge ten centsfor the registered ton
mage of any registered boat or vessel
during such low water, wherein the
stream was not otherwise navigable
(this would probably be over months
in the year; that they could during
that time, low water, charge ten cents
per thousand feet Of logs or lumber
passing through, but during ordinary
and high water logs and lumber should
be passed through free of charge; that
no charge whatever should be made
for any boat or scow, at any time, of
less than five tons burden; that the
company should build, maintain and
operate the lock at itsEown expense,
and that it should be built in good,
substantial manner.
NAtv II N that fhof a
pretty good bill for the people living
along that river. do not know what
more they would require. 1t certainly
could not createa monopoly or restrict
navigation, AS navigation was to be
perfectly free for at least nine months
in the year, and if there should be OPP
position on the river during those
three months of low water they could
have little boat above the lock to
transfer to and not be compelled to
use the lock at all.
The only object in writing this
communication Is to let the|people
understand the matter fully, and to
correct such wrong statements and
impressions as were made at the meet
ing by evil disposed persons. Since
the legislature concluded that they
had no power to grant a special priv
ilege at all for such purpose, the reso-
luton adopted at the meeting effect
nothing.
The company did not intend to raise
the price OF freight or passage, as they
deem il to their best interest to give
the people the besr possible accommo-
dations for the least amount Vt money.
As you will see by the features in the
bill, they certainly did not anticipate
creating grinding monopoly. And l
should think, and believe, that every
person now wading, walking, or pull
Ing in skifffrom La Center to Pekin,
will agree with me, that lock at the
mouth Of the river, under that bill,
would be more beneficial to the peo-
pie than TO the company.
ISAAC THOMAS.