, 1883-07-07

Land Office. Spokane Falls has been
determined upon by the authorities
at Washington as the proper point
for that important Office, and If
the man at the head Of the depart
ment who showed his great good
sense in making the selection should
ever happen to be in reach he would
be treated to a reception that would
make his heart expand and his great
ness grow greater. Our leading citi-
zens worked nobly to secure the Of
fee, and their efforts were ably sec
onded by parties outside who deserve
our everlasting thanks. The Land
Office is more important than one
would imagine froma casual glance,
and while it is hardly necessary for
us to dwell upon the great advan-
tages that the city will derive from
this important branch of the govern
ment service, we cannot resist
pointing out the chief points to be
gained by this addition. It is much
more Of gain than would be a dozen
common manufacturing establish
ments. Why? Because every man
who takes up land in this part of the
Northwest will be compelled to come
to the city. This will be no hard
ship to the individual, however, as
Spokane Is as centrally located as
any town to which the Office might
have been taken. Not only thai but
means " communication between
here az the best agricultural and
tlmbert dds to be had are easy ard
hardly single person comes int2
the country but they have desire
to visit the Falls. This is but the be-
ginning of flood of other greatly
desired additions to the city. We
would not be at all surprised if the
general land office of the Northern
Pacific railroad should Immediately
follow in the wake of the United
States Land Office, Us the former is
dependent in some respects upon the
latter. 1t will be the source from
which we will be the gamer, and to
give some idea Of the anxiety other
cities had to secure the office we will
state on the best Of authority that
certain gentleman Of acknowledged
influence was offered $50, 1000 to mere
ly throw the weight Of his voice in
favor Of a city in the southern part
of the territory, but as the party had
promised to use his influence for
Spokane Falls he showed his honor
by refusing the tempting bribe. 1t is
GglOriOus victory over which ourpeo-
pie have reason to rejoice. The most
prodigious efforts were made in sew
eral quarters to stave the Land Office
from Spokane Falls. Rivals saw our
star Of brilliant ascendancy arising
above all competitors and twinkling
a future that nothing short of the
day Of reckoning could shake. They
read the hOroscope'in the towns in
fancy and were appalled, at the fu-
ture events therein depicted. They
have seen arise from a plain, where a
few months ago naught but the wild
flower and the silken grasses waved
theirplumage in the pleasant breczes,
city Of marvellous growth. The
flowers have been covered from
sight by substantial and costly edi-
fees, and the grass worn away by
the constant tramp OF a busy popula-
ton. Few kindly words were said
for the growing city, and no oppor-
tunity was missed to throw cold wa
ter upon its progress. However no
i'll will exists. God prepared the
spot for occupancy, and its great nat
ural advantages has done more for
its advancement than has any exer-
tion Of men. 1t was predestined to
be the site Of a goOdly metropolis,
and nothing could prevent that ulti-
mate result Spokane wanted that
Land Office awful bad, and the peo-
pie lost considerable sleep thinking
over it. They have it now, or an as
surance that is almost equal to pos
session, and are happy.