The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-28

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without meeting single obstruction. In
one direction are two small lakes, beauti-
fully clear and hemmed in by pines, above
the tops of which glimpse is had of old
Tacoma, always snow-capped and majestic.
Il Western aud Eastern Washington are
ike two distinct countries. In the west
the forests are rank and abundant; in the
east there are few trees. There is much
moisture in the western portion of the Ter
II NOR ritSrg and very little in the eastern. At
one time # was 7Thhslieved that nothing could
be grown east of the CascsSSa4e range ana
the vast rolling plains there were left To
the grazing herds. Then it was discovered
that wheat would grow, and now you will
find settlers who raise nearly every kind of
vegetable. So with TIE country west of
the range; it is constantly proving itself
richer and more productive than ever was
thought. 1t is second Pennsylvania, this
western Washington. In the mountains
are ores and coal, and in the valleys hop
fields and farms Eastern Washington, if
signs fail not, will be second Kansas.
The climate is too dry now for agriculture
to be very profitable; but the more cultiva-
ton the greater the rainfall. So we may
look, in time, for Kansas crops grown ON
plains which once figured as parts of the
great American desert.
There are several small towns in eastern
Washington, and they have all made a
little progress. l doubt if Walla Walla is
ever an important place, as regards size,
but as the country around it is improved,
it will be correspondingly benefited 1t is
near the confluence of the Snake and Col
umbia, and is an attractive and active place.
From its wide streets one looks out upon a
broad expanse of country dotted with
wheat-felds
In the extreme eastern part of Washing
ton, on the Northern Pacific Road, is the
town of Spokane Falls. 1t is altogether
remarkable place. Three years ago its
population was 900, and to-day it is e.
900. There never was ''boom" known.
The advancement has been regular, slow,
methodical, substantial. The city, for such
it is, lies on both banks of the Spokane
River and on high plateau or level, from
which extended views are had of the sur
rounding country. The great falls of the
Spokane are what first attracted attention
to the location. They afford water
power greater than that at Minneapolis,
and are being rapidly utilized by Touring
and other mills.
The country of which Spokane is the
natural centre is, in many respects, one of
remarkable wealth and possibilities. To
the south of the city, reached by local
railroad, is the famous Palouse Valley, to
whose great agricultural fields the Oregon
Railroad and Navigation lines are extended;
on the east is the Ceur d'Alene mining
territory, on the west is the Big Bend of
the Columbia, rapidly growing agricultu-
raj district, and on the north ape the min
ing regions of Colville, Okanagan, Kettle
River, and Kootenay. When the several
roads to these outlying regions are built, as
soon unquestionahly they will be, Spokane
will receive m impetus that must send it
forging rapidly ahead. Enthusiasts declare
it will become the Minneapolis of the far
West, and such destiny it NAV have. /
The city is attractive in appearance, has a
delightfully."- bracing climate, with no ex-
tremes of heat or cold, and is built in the
most solid and substantial manner. Many |
of the business blocks compare favorably
with those of Eastern cities. The most
impressive fact, however, on which one may
base his calculations is that all real estate
transactions are on a cash basis. This ex.
plains, perhaps, the absence of speculation
and 'boom." Property is strongly he'd.
1t is not so much question what one shall
buy as where he can find chance to in
vest. Nothing is urged, and the rule has
been to purchase only when occasion jus
tilted. Of the many who have come, all,
so it seems, have determined to stay. The
city is lighted by gas aud electricity, has
horse-car system and water works, and in
all respects is an active, self-reliant place.
From Spokane l returned westward
down the Columbia to Portland again, and
from there southwark into the Rogue River
Valley of southern Oregon. Here found |
an activity that was rapidly changing the
region. Ashland, the chief town of impor-
tance, had made rapid strides in three
years, and even in one, since | last saw it.
The cause of the growth found to be the
conviction that the southern Oregon valleys
were valuable for fruit farms. Land is
now being largely bought, and many of the |
farmers who have sold out in southern Cal
ifornia are settling in and around Ash
land
The Result Of Debt.
From Hdrper's Bazdr.