Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-04-02
RAILROAD BETWEEN sEAr1lE AND
WAlLA WALLA.
w. W. Watchman.

Ine Seattle people have received an
acceferation to the life and actlvity of
that wide-awake city, in view of the
DISCRIMINATION aud evident corp-r4te
purpose tn make the wealth and visible
improvements at that point vaiueles-
ne history OF the world - a prac.lcaI |
demonstration Of the fact that the
greatness of States and cities IL not de-
termined by fortuitons cIrcumst tnses
OF position and resuur IS as Hiuch as by
the ludomitable will and energy of the
people. 1t IL needless to elaborate this
proposition. The people of Seattle. act
ing on the self-evident fact. that the
blocks OF business houses and other I'M
prov-tnents III that city will dwindle In
Vaiue unless they adopt the policy of
Ieopardizing the one half TO save and
enhance IN vaiHe the other half, have
decreed the construction of railroad
from that place 10 Walia Walla.
This Is "A movement of which tue
people Of Walia Walla cannot fail to
take note. There Is here an accumu,a-
ton OF wealth IN visible improvements
that can be enhanced in value bv the
energetic action of the citizens. With
oHt such action. and by spirit Of less ac-
qniescence ia the eff lrts of corporatlons
to build up points that shall furnish the
means for private gain TO speculate : to
the detriment of the Stockholders they
represent. Walls Walis iIust r-troorade.
The owner of improved real estate in
this city must inetInctivslv know that
the half of his property will l.. more
valuable ~ him If be should devote the
other half to the growth and prosperity
OF the city. 1t IL not necessary. nor
does any one now ask to attem ut to
stimulate prosperity with oratuities, but
o pursne some such course as the cIti-
zens OF Seattle propose.
Walia Waila at this particular Juno
ture Is favOrably situated to take .ovan-
tage OF conflicting corporate interests.
1t must have a tide water connection,
IL must reach out for connection with
the railroad system to- the south of us.
1t must become a railroad ceuter IN the
heart Of a rich and populous region of
country. 1t will then compel the North
ern Pacific to run its line down the Pa
louse, crossing Snake river at the mouth
OF that stream, and thence on to Walia
Walla and Wallula on the route nature
intended for 1t. This city will then
present spectacle like what the world
has seen in the Fargo of the north or
euO DShFVA ~ thc cdSitTu DdSe OI the
Rocky mountains. There is not an in-
telligent man in this community who
does not know that such results will
flow from energetic action on the part
of citizens. Time WAS when Walla Wal
la WAS tue commercial cen er of the Co
lumbia valley. If she does not cOntinde
to hold this position it is her own fault.
The people bold their destinies in their
own hands, and can decree whether
Walla Walia shall remain a city of 500
inhabitants, or shall become a city of
25OOO.
The proposition of the Seattle pc ople
is feasible. With the amount of money
that can be raised ut either end. it viii
hot he difficult to obtain she full
amount requisite. And II is p,ssibl.
that other interests. Jealous of the grow
ing power of the Northern Pacific, may
respond with their co ops ration and ma
terial assistance. And To do this Job
effectively and we'll. the promoters of
measures calculated to advance looGl
interests should not entertain any other |
proposition than the construction of /
narrow-gage railroads. They can be |
built cheaply, operated cheaply, climb |
steep grades, make short curves and |
run over the Cascades or Blue UOun- |
tains anywhere except on the highest |
peaks without tunnels or snowsheds |
They command the situation. and are |
the things To lead US into the sunlight |
of independence and prosperity.