The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-06-28
THE FAR WEST.
High Prices Of Living and Low Wages
in Washington Territory.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate

Correspondence Of the Democratic Advocate
SPOKANE FALLS, WAsHINGToN TERRITORY,
May 20, 1884. j.
1t is characteristic of the American people
never to be satisfied with what they have, and
never to know when they are well off. How
many there are in different parts of the East
to-day who are only wishing that they might
be so situated as to try their fortune in the far
West. l thought that when | arrived at
Washington Territory, about which | had
heard so much in its favor, | would find the
majority of the people happy and contentedi
but on the contrary found just the same as
| did in Ohio, Minnesota and Dakota. 1t is
all well enough to read about the fine, invig-
Grating climate, the productive farm and ex-
tensive timber lands, the mountains of min
eral wealth, much of which is written for the
purpose of inducing emigration or in the in
terest of railroad corporations, but after one
has been over the ground and taken in the
situation he will learn some things that he
never knew before. don't wish it to be I'M
derstood that | mean the West has no inviting
features, but | do wish to impress upon the
people that great deal said about it Is exag-
gerated, and that is the reason so many who
come here with their ideas of this country in
hated are disappointed and sorry they ever
left home. 1t costs considerable for family
in ordinary circumstances to come to this
country, and it almost always happens in such
cases that after they get here they are obliged
to remain, because of the lack of necessary
funds to return. Many who come here are
disappointed because they don't find money
plenty; others, again, expect to find remuner-
alive employment, and, like those who first
went into the gold mines, they go away grum-
bling and saying little good about the country.
1t must be borne in mind that the West is not
as thickly populated as the East. 1t is in its
infancy, and it will be some time before it has
the capital and the people to give it the life
which isvto be seen in the East. Persons who
have been raised in the East will find many
things here quite different from what they are
there. Until they become thoroughly initial
ed theyewih not feel. satisfied. This is not
only the case with Eastern persons who come
West, but vice versa. merely speak of those
who have come under my observation, for the
benefit of those who only look on the bright
side of things, and are willing to pay consid-
cradle for the experience. The impression
prevails quite universally through the East
that wages are much higher here, and that
employment can more readily be obtained.
This is great mistake. On the contrary, it
is more difficult to get good wages here than
in the East, and the difference in the expense
of living must not be overlooked. 1t costs
from s. to Sc per week for board, and from
Sc to $40 for lodging per month.
Day laborers receive 81 per day; clerks in
stores $40 per month-whenever they can
catch-on to job. As an instance of high
prices in the West will mention strawberries.
Notwithstanding the fact that this much-liked
berry is being raised and marketed in the
Wallawalla country, small box containing
about half pint sells for 25 and 80 cents;
three oranges rs cents, lemons cents each,
and everything else in proportion.
During my sojourn here | have heard a
great deal about the fine apples raised in GER
tain localities of Washington Territory, but
it has not been my good fortune to see one
fit to eat 1t certainly does seem strange that
in country so well adapted for raising fruit
and vegetables as are some places in the Ter
ritory, more attention is not devoted to this
important matter. The crying want heard
among the farmers in the Territory at present
is rain. 1t is Just the time when rain is most
needed, and, with the exception of few light
showers, in the past month there has been
little encouragement for the farmer. The
temperature is quite warm in the middle of
the day, and the nights are deliciously cool.
1t is as warm now, old settlers tell me, as it
will be in July or August. If that be true it
is an exceptionally fine climate, and far SUI
perior to that nearer the coast.
JOHN T. SHUEEY.