Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-05-03
FUTURE OF LEWISTON.

FUTURE OS o0 WAC , Wv.
In view Of the increased activity and
progress Of other towns, it would indeed
be surprising If Lewiston did not 'mh'be
somewhat Of the zeal aud enterprise
which actuate her heighbors. From our
staudk Int, there is much to encourage
us in the expectation that we are soon
to occupy the position that our location
and facilities for business entitle us; the
fact Of railroads now extending to with
in ten miles of US, indicates such extent
Of progress as will soon place us on
line of railroad communication, and in
stead Of being a cause Of envy or jealousy
it should stimulate US to put forth every
effort to gain a connection with them.
The disposition to speculate should not
lead our people to abandon our interests
and prospects here, to embark in foreign
enterprises that may prove just as hazar-
dous and perhaps more uncertain than
development at home. For one thing
il certain that if lines Of rail ever
extend along our rivers our town would
out rival most other places now having
their big booms. Not only is our climate
the most attractive, but the situation as
a business center is complete; with al
omen river to the sea board and local
lines Of rail into the interior, up the
Snake and Clearwater. opening up the
vast agricultural. mineral and timber re-
sources Of this section, our commercial
importance would compare equally well
with almost any interior town Of worthy
mention. The banks Of our rivers
would be lined with mills, shops, ware
houses, etc. 1t would be the lumber
mart Of an immense section Of country
-four mills, not inferior to those Of
Minneapolis, would abuudantly flourish,
eituated as We are 10 the midst Of The
richest wheat belt in the world. A
wooden mill, Of modest pretensions, to
Be supplied from the numberless herds
that might End susteuauce upon our end
lers mountain ranges, would be immen
alv profitable. The idea Of exportin.
the raw material to distant manufactures
to be returned at great expense, in man
ufactured goods is not a pleasant one fo'
contemplation. Comprising, as do tht
valleys Of these rivers, the finest fruit
soil to be- found, the canning ant
evaporating industries might be extend
cd indefinitely and would yield large re
turns in fact, there is hardly an en-
terprise that would not meet with rapi'
growth and profit. We have then al
& these incentives to arouse US into in
cessant action until We occupy our prope
station in the metropolitan field. Til
spirit Of enterprise should fill ever
heart and every word and deed should b
for the good Of our town. II would b
good time for our local railroad CON
pauy, the Clearwater and Montana Tram
portation corporation, to renew thei
labor 10 pushing the opening Of thei
:. road; no doubt ample assistance coul
be procured if right measures wer
taken. The main outlook now seems I
be the extension Of the Spokane
Palouse, either by way Of Steptoe 9
Hatwai; the Union Pacific down Snak
from Huntington and the Manitoh
down Clearwater to this point. W
can SOC that the tapping Of this sectio
by these roads, would give the key
the whole situation, especially would tn
be the case with the U. p. At preser
it is cut entirely off from our immep,
traffic, as no shipping can pro6tably /
done by the circuitous way OF the Co
umbia river TO their connection, while
junction at this point would enable it
compete advautageously with all 9th
systems. A line Of less than two hui
bred miles. with grade of seven ie'
per mile, always free from snow,
would seem like giving away golde
opportunity for them not to occupy tn
route, and the indications arc that tn,
are beginning to realize this fact
let u take courage, go to work should
to shoulder and we can have boom
we'll % other towns.
An item in the Walia Walla Journ