Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-28
rosr TOWNSEND AND SEATTLE.
Port Townsend Argus.l

Fort IOVn8end Argus.
With booming prosperity on all sides,
and such brilliant prospect ahead OF
Port Townsend, it behooyes our
leading business men 70 look about
them carefully lest they lose advan-
taQes that might properly be used to
further our interests. Other towns are
kesnly alive 70 their interests, and are
straining every nerve 70 gain ascendan-
oy. The key note was sounded recent
" in q speech at Seattle. in which
reference was made to the fact Of
that city having built steamers and
oame down the Sound and diverted
trade 70 herself, that really belonged to
Port Townsend. As We have repeatedly
urged, there is no reason why goods
cannot be sold here as cheap as IN Be
attIe-indeed they are for the most
part-but Seattle merchants few
wears ago commenced 10 undersell, and
they thus created Q reputation from
which they continue TO enjoy immense
benefits. By sending out their steam
ers, capturing mail routes and center
ING steamboat lines at Seattle, and dis
eliminating favor Of that place in
the matter Of freight charges, thoy
have attracted trade that would never
have gone under ordinary circumstan-
oes. Il is true that the old state OF
things is being gradually done away
With; Messrs. Morgan d HastinRs, to
their credit, started out pioneering in
this line, and secured the mail contract
upon, and control of, one Of the princi-
pal local steamboat lines naturally trib-
uta1y TO Port Townsend-since which
time our town has been greatly bene-
fitted BY the change. Messrs. Water
man 4 Katz are worthy OF mention a.
notakle examples, also. OF enterprising
merchants reaching out for the trade OF
The surrounding country. They have
maintained a branch establishment in
San Juan county, and more recently
began supplying store in Island coun-
b. In 80 doing they incidentally pur-
Ghaee large quantities of country pro-
dsos, which fact in itself largely infiu-
mcss people to trade here. We have no
desire to make invidisus comparisons,
merely referring 70 these gentlemen AZ
nslAbls examples and 10 illustrate our
point. II should require NO argument
20 demonstrate the fast that these are
the most effective legitimate methods Of
centering an outside trade here and
holding IL. Port Townsend Is the natu-
raj shipping point for all products going
foreign or coastwise from at least four
Of the lower Sound counties. II bust
mess men here buy up all the available
produce In those counties and ship il
from here. the persons from whom they
purchase will be far more likely TO trade
here than elsewhere. We have spoken
thus plainly because il Is the province
and duty Of public journal to point ont
such matters, and because there has
been manifest lack during past years
In regard to the items mentioned here
In. Seattle has no superior natural ad-
vautages as compared with this place |;
indeed, she has disadvantages und =
which We do not labor. Yet see what
her wide awake citizens have accom-
plished. We are not croakinR. or find
ing fault. but simply illustrating well
known principles Of trade. Port Town
send 10 alive and on her feet, and she
will make the most OF her chances here
after. or we are NO prophet.