Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-05-28

the dull times in Seattle were due main
ly to the opposition Of her citizens to
the claim Of the Northern Pacific to its
unearned land grant. Seattle il not
duller than any other city on the Pa
cifc Coast today. On the contrary,
business With most of our leading
houses has been and continues better
than ever before. There 10 a great
deal of building going on, and while
speculation in real estate is somewhat
at stand st II, the legitimate growth
Of the city is steady and sold. Ii is a
good thing once in while 10 step, look
around and take ones bearings. This
is Just what Seattle Is doing today, and
when We get adjusted 10 the new order
of things, which mas come almost too
swiftly for realization in the past two
years, this city will take swifter and
longer strides forward than ever before.
As to the effect of the attitude of this
people upon the land grant question.
with all due Difference to the high
source. we think Mr.. Mcknight mis-
taken in his opiBion. Portland, for in
starce, cannot be suffering from any
such cause. Her Board of Trade aud
public press have taken no ground in
favor of forfeiture, yet Ii is conceded
by her press and complained of by her
people that just now progress is at a
stand still, that times are hard. money
scarce and business exceptionally dull.
Our neiRhsor, Tacoma, which has been
most Jealous in supporting the claims
OF the Northern Pacific, is sharing In
the general quiet which prevails ali
over the countrv. Many causes have
combined to produce this result in the
Northwest. First. there has been pre-
oedinR the so called completion OF
the Northern Pacific Railroad specu-
lative boom in real property in advance
Of the extension of the road. Second,
the sudden cessation of all railroad
construction, consequent upon the col
lapse of Northern Pacific and allied
'tocks in Wall street, stopped at once
the monthly output of tue very larg.
sums of money used 10 such construc-
ton, left many thousand iaborers 70
look elsewhere for employment, and of
course largely reduced the business of
all who were engaged in furnishing
supplies. These, added to the not 10 b.
forgotten fact that the transportation
companies are now engaged in taking
money out Of the country in the form
Of net profits, to be paid in the shape
Of interest to non resident bondhold.
ers, In stead of bringing. rs heretofore,
the money of these bondholders into the
country. and distribating it while con
structing the Northern Pacific Railroad
and branches, serve to give some idea
of the reasons for the present quiet as
compared with las: years fever. Other
causss might be noted, such as the dull
ness of the coal and lumber markets,
occasioned by the low ruling price of
wheat in California, and the impofta-
ton OF large quantities of foreign coal
by vessels coming for grain charters
Generally it is admitted that this is a
dull yenr. Such periods COME, and
nothing will prevent them, nor does
any one cause induce them. they are
the effect of combination of causes.
which, like misfortunes, "neyer come
sinRiy." Seattle has, with remarkable
facility, adjusted herself to the situa
ton; has donned the robes of conserv.
atism, and on good solid footing is
building herself mp. extending business,
seeking new avenues, and framing
projects to carry out, when-as in
short time will occur-financial affairs
throughout the whole country assume
more satisfactory condition. This will
result, whether or not the land grant
Is forfeited. Locally it will be far bet
ter for this Territory If all that is un-
earned be at once restored for settlement
by incoming settlers.