Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-10-04
DAILY PoST.INTEluGENcER.
ryrAIR AND TNTRTE.

Pacific Railroad Company, tue -"
lends itself to an effort, heretofore made
and again repeated, to discred't the
credit and business solidity OF Seattle
by declaring that owing to the pro-
nounced opinions and attitude OF TINS
paper and ninety per cent. OF our ci'i-
zens upon the forfeiture question: they
are sufferiaQ from exceptional nGaneiai
strinpency aud business depression.
This statement is atrociously incorrect
and a blow at the city, none the less
hurtful, even IL unattended TO 30 opsr-
ate. Seattle is today, in common VILE
every city, village and community on
the Pacific coast, passing through q
period Of serious business depression.
We believe that here and elsewhere the
clouds are gradually lifting, and that
another year will witness general re-
yiyal of business throughout the North
west. Bot this city has not suffered, ID
not suffering TO any greater proportion
ate extent than any other. Nor Is
Washington Territory any worse on
than Oregon. The depression - uni
yersal. Nor il there any more difficulty
as stated by the Chronie's--in effect
ing loans upon unqusstionsbie secdrisy
in this city than In Olympia, Tacoma
Port Townsend and other towns.
Such statements, baseless though they
may be, and as ia this instance they
are. have their effect. They are unlns-
tiiiabIs and inimioal to the credit ana
prosperity of our city. Certainly "heh
iuyidious comparisons are made, detfi-
mental 10 the city in which a pewspa-
osr is published, they should be sub
stantiated by incontrovertible facts.
Olympia today is suffering az much In
proportion to her population and bust
ness as Seattle. Tacoma built u school
house nearly two years ago. 1t cost
about $4,000, of which about $SOoO
was paid. Some six months ago the
question of levying special tax of Si2,-
600, TO liquidate part Of the unpaid bal
ance. Was submitted to the people OF
that city and voted down by large
majority. There Ia now before that
people a proposition to levy an $500
special tar to apply on the indebted
ness. A local correspondent OF the
Mems recently, in opposing the levy OF
this tax, declared that there was no use
in Disgusting the fact that times there
are very bad that they had already
voted down a $4,000 tax, and would be
compelled to vote down the lesser one
because money was not obtainable. This
10 no doubt absolutely true. Ii Is not
only no in Tacoma but elsewhere. Port
Townsend, Whatcom, Walla Walia,
Spokane Falls, and other prosperous
and growing cities have felt throughout
the summer, and are now feeling. the
depressing effects of financial strin-
geney. At the latter place laborers who
formerly received from 81 to S3 per day,
now find difficulty in procuring employ
ment ct $50, and q mass meeting was
recently called TO discuss means Of az
fording relief from the present pinch.
Portland prumbles more than ever be-
fore. In short, over the whole Pacific
Coast, times are hard. We assert. and
defy proofs TO the contrary, that Seattle
today compares favorably, II not excep.
tienally so, IN respect to business solid
ity and solid, substantial prosperity,
with any city west of the Missouri
river.
In the futile sndeavor to score a
point against this paper, and in favor
Of its masters, the Chronicie essays COM
parison between the business of today
and that of last year, and insincerely,
or ignorantly, charges that the present
comparative dullness is the sole fruit of
opposition to the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Company's greed. by the press and
people Of Seattle. Ii Is in no sense true.
We're other facts net sufficient TO dis
prove the statement, the fact that in no
prominent city OF the Territory has the
Northern Pacific been 80 earnestly op-
posed az here, and that each and all are
suffering equally with this city, would
be ample 30 disoredit IL. Opposition TO
she Northern Pacific land claim--no. as
the Chronicle puts it, opposition TO rail-
roads--has had nothing TO do with hard
times here OF elsewhere. Tacoma has
been and Is fervent admirer and sup
porter OF that company, yea il suffers
like other cities. Spokane Falls has
never faltered in friendship for or allie
glance to the fortunes of that company,
yet times are bad. Olympia and Port
Townsend have not objected 20 CON
tinuing its laad grant, yet both feel the
pressure of the general business de-
preston. whatoom, whose journal has
been loud mouthed and obsequioasly
subservient 10 the demands of that
company, is staggering under business
prostration. Portland-whose citizens.
in striking contrast With the present
management of the Northern Pacific.
pat much money into its construction
10 bitterly complaining of s.aenan, trade
and scarcity of money. All these are
friends of the company, yet they all
suffer in common with the rest OF the
Pacific Coast, including the enterpris.ne
and ambitious city of Seattle.
The CAYoaicls bees the press mean
ing the Posi-. lsfKLLIaKSCKR--so cease
warfare against its master. This is
better than bullying, but the request
cannot be granted. We make no var
upon legitimate railroad building, man.
agement or operation. Economically
constructed and operated, and with just
business management, they are FREEDOM
inant and essential factors in the devel
epment and growth of every region.
Otherwise they are injurious Just In
proportion to their power for evil We
demand the restoration OF the unearned
land grant because il 10 absolutely insf