The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-28
1estriptiue artirles.
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.


Ed,cards Roberts in NJ 7. EUening Post.
The condition of the Pacific Northwest,
of Oregon and Washington Territory, is
again the subject of a somewhat general
inquiry Perhaps better idea cannot be
given of progress in the Northwest than
by describing the condition of affairs in
1884 and that of the present time Thus
one may judge for himself what the future
prospects are. Nor will the writer be ac-
cused of undue enthusiasm if he contents
himself with pointing to what has been
done, and contrasts the present with the
past.
When first 1 saw the city of Portland,
everybody felt poor-a stranger could feel
the chill in the air. There was no buoy
ancy, no enthusiasm. Two years ago the
shadow began to lift. Last year | found it
had gone. Over the river l saw the bridge;
back on the hills l found the pines replaced
by houses; at the banks the presidents were
cheerful Everything suggested the pres
ence of new era. The new hotel was still
unfinished, to be sure, but subscription
paper was being circulated to raise half
million with which to build better one.
A little sign is fully as effective as a large
one, if we only believe it; and the album
dance of little ones left no room to doubt
that the tide had turned. Portland has
much to recommend it, The city is CEN
trally located as regards the productive val
leys of Oregon, and is in direct communi-
cation with the sea by the Columbia and
Willamette. . All railways reach it on
water level. On the east it has two out
lets, the Northern and the Union Pacific,
and on the south is the Oregon and Cali
fornia. These three systems, with that of
the Oregon Navigation, bring to Portland
the products of the Willamette and Rogue
River valleys in southern Oregon, and of
the Walla Walla and Columbia to the cast
Still another route will be afforded when
the capal around the rapids of the Columbia
is finished, for through it large boats will
have access to the wheat fields Of the Co.
lumbia and the Snake. The present pop
ulation of Portland is about 60,000 1t is
increasing rapidly. The city is well built;
brick and stone business blocks predominant.
There are many costly houses, surrounded
by spacious grounds, and the general ap-
pearance of the place is prepossessing in
the extreme.
North of Portland, half days ride by
the Northern Pacific road, is Tacoma, a
city of from 5000 to 10000 people, built
on high plateau overlooking an arm of
Puget Sound. Tacoma to-day is enjoying
great prosperity. 1t has considerably more
than doubled in size within three years, and
has immeasurably improved in appearance
Land has thrice doubled in value, and is
now held at what may seem dangerously
high figures. But the demand for property
has been legitimate, and an upward ten
dency still exists. The city is well built,
and is the so-called western terminus of the
Northern Pacific Railway. The claim
which Tacoma sets forth as the reason of
its being is that it is the natural point Of
shipment of Washington products, has
deep-sea facilities, and is easier of access by
sea than Portland. AS . fact It lies at tho
head of Puget Sound, through which the
largest ocean steamers have no difficulty in
passing, and is the centre to which will flow
the rich products of eastern and central
Washington. 1t is unquestionably dan
gerous rival of Portland, but will never,
think, be equal in size to that city. Its
surrounding country is not so extended nor
prolific, and it does not offer such easy
routes of access as Portland. But never
theless Tacoma may well anticipate being
an important place. 1t and Seattle will, I
think, keep even pace. Seattle labors under
the disadvantage of being off the through
route of trayel East and West, but other
wise has location superior to that of its
neighbor. 1t is nearer the ocean, has
more extended back country, and is in close
proximity to vast coal fields. Seattle has
made marked progress of late years. 1t
has grown in size and its appearance has
improved. Many of the business blocks
are large and handsome. Its main industry
is coaling. That of Tacoma is milling.
One of the largest sawmills in the world is
there, and millions of logs are daily cut into
bits no larger than a toothpick. More yes
sells and steamers enter at Tacoma than at
Seattle, because Of the railroad, and their
presence helps create the bustling activity
of the town. As a place of residence Ia
coma is delightful The scenery is varied.
~ IN Ill