, 1885-01-24

IT is all well and good to keep
Jealous eye on railroads, and to show
up their iniquities on all occasions.
The public demands 1t and even II
no gOod comes Of 1t the press Is
expected to work indefatlRably
against that class Of carriers. 1t is
too true that railroad lines every
where take advantage Of their great
powers and cinch the people who
are, through necessity, compelled to
patroniEe them, but such cases are
the rule and not the exception and
one line holds but little prestige
over another in this respect. The
N. P. road may be no better nor
worse than others, but in giving the
devil his due 1t must be admitted
that the policy Of the road IN show
ing up the resources OF Washington
territory and other territorial COM
mOnwealths through which 1t passes
Is greatly to the credit Of the mana
gers, and it has been the potent
factor In creating the great change
In both western and eastern Wash.
lngton that has come to pass during
the past two years. Our Journals
boast Of the wonderful increase In
wealth and population Of the terri
tory in the last two years, and 1t is
safe to say that the great change has
resulted from the completion Of the
Northern Pacific road and Its arter-
les. Enemies Of the road will seize
upon such a statement and say that
1t is self preservation and an aim t.
increase the business Of the line that
induces the officials to advertise the
country so extensively. We want
this, but does not the action at the
same time rebound to the interest Of
every village, town city and county IN
the commonwealth? Are not we gain
ing mutually by this mode Of bring
ing Washington territory promln-
emily before the people Of the worldP
We are no excuser OF the repacity Of
any corporation. We have seen the
evils growing out of the oppressive,
arrogant, unyielding greed Of such
mOnOpOlles, yet justice must admit
that the N. p. has been instrumental
in making desolate places contribute
wealth 70 the general productions Of
the country, and filling up with an
Industrious and law abiding people
sections that would not have other
wise been settled up in years.
Every opportunity is taken by
the road to present the desirability
Of Washington territory as a place Of
residence In the most glowing col
ors, and It is conceded that this Is
done without undue exaggeration,
Taking advantage Of the opportunity
presented by the worlds fair at New
Orleans to reach thousands Of people
ignorant OF the resources Of the
northwest, the railroad has prepared
an exhibit that is certain to attract
attention to this section. In doing
this, a good work is being accom-
plished for which the managers de-
serve the united thanks Of the citi-
zens Of the territory. A paper at
New Orleans says that "the N. P. R.
r. collective of grains and grasses
will also be a part of the exhibit,
which will be further illustrated by
mammoth pictures Of the cities Of
Spokane Falls, Walla Walla, Seattle,
Tacoma and Olympia. In fact every
thing Of economic value and repre-
sentation Of the Industries Of the
territory will be shown" In this
broad and liberal spirit no section is
forgotten, and no cause Is given for
one portion Of the territory to find
fault for neglect or intentional slight.
II Is a good work, and great will be
the baneflt IN apprue fherpfrOu