The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-25
FOR THE CAPITAL:
NORTH YAKIMA.

ia SSs t91eTS OF hEsssSssE@as ia So-"sse
a. this tire before the people OF the terri
so-v r-;.h our reasons for aSking that this
,,isv shall be made the capital, We nave. OF
coarse 10 presen, again some facts thas are
already familiar - al who may reac. IL =
not necessary 10 assume any mystery Ia
the matter. or 10 assume tast our iftsfios
in the territory are not already sware OF
The advantages presented nv A9I1n ISs-
ina Is a POINT for the capital. These mat
tsrs are very well understood They are
be,ssr understood BY the oil settlers than
hv those wao have come III later: tor IL
may be said without fear OF CONTRADICTION,
that the old settlers OF Washington terri-
tory, now the state OF Washington, nave
always cherished feeling that sooner or
later the capital would be moved from
olvupis TO North Yakima in this con-
ueetiou we will call attention 10 statements
which follow, showing our &c itral location
and the re adineSs with which this point
can be reached by rail and the natural adj
vantsges which make it now and forever
hereafter the central point OF the state
Mature has made here eeau'ifui paain,
surrounded by spurs OF the Cascade mount
ans. midway between the Cascades ana
the Columbia river and in the exact center
Of state between east and west. Nature
has further provided great open valies
here, with ;avors of climate and accession
itv To be found nowhere else In the state
In addition 10 what nature has cone, lFri-
CATION. aided BIZ the hand OF man, has
stepped in and beautitied the city IN a
manner to make il remarkably attractive
to all who pass between the Mississippi val
lev and the Cascade range. Whatever may
he said in contradiction of this, or for the
purpose of bringing forward other points,
will he easily set aside by personal exam
ination. In fact. so far as we nave tne
benefit of personal opinion, there Is no
doubt nor reason for an attempt at con-
yineing arguments. We have only TO re-
mind our old friedds in the territory.
and TO state 10 those who know
less of our locality, OF these
important points in our favor. In addition
TO matters mentioned below IN detail, there
are many points of interest which might be
elaborated. As matter OF TACT we nave 10
the west of US. only twenty miles distant,
beautiful park, equal in every respect and
beauty. TO the great Yellowstone park. IL Is
known to the old settlers and those who
have visited it as the Tietan basin. here
may be found hot springs gushing from
the earth at the foot of ellis, rising 10 the
height OF thousands of feet. beautiful
stretches of park with trees of every KIND.
and elk. dear. bear, and all that Is LETT OF
animal nature from the encroaehment OF
man; in fact this is the western most bar
rier OF civilization. On the other siGe oil
the mountains civilization again begins,
ana the slope goes ~ SIlt wafer , SoSSs 4Nos
ing the wildless OF animal nature ex-
haustei By the advancement: of modern
progress.
Tie extent of this great Yakima valley is
not generally understood throughout the
state. since it includes eight valleys con
verging at this point Here irrigation has
done more than at any point IN the nited
States, outside of California and Colorado.
We have the most beautiful gardens on
every hand. with everything growing that
may be cultivated in the temperate zone,
including corn tobacco. sweet potatoes,
melons and fruits of every kind.
Below are more definite statements OF the
extent and peculiarities of the valley with
its railroad connections and position as re-
CARDS the advantages for placing the CAPT
tai here. There can be no reasonable doubt
in the minds of any who NAV carefully ex-
anime the matter OF tho business OF our
claim.
For years the opinion has been general
that the permanent seat of government
would be located here. The situation is
central; by measurement 1t Is found 10 he
the exact center from east to west. and by
census it is found to be almost, if not
quite, the center OF population. and al
though somewhat south OF the center geo.
graphically by making ii reasonable al
lowance for the mountainous country in
the north TO fill up, il will only place North
Yakima that much nearer the center of
population, thus making the location fair
one for all sections ana all directions in the
state. 1t is obvious that while the argu-
ment founded on central location is
strong one. the Typographical position of
North Yakima furnishes stronger reasons
for the establishment OF the capital here.
The town is situated in the Yakima val
ley, which IS less than 200 miles in length.
Through this valley runs the Yakima
river, about leo miles from the mouth of
which is located the town, on its left bank.
Immediately above the town the Natcheez
river empties into the Yakima, and the
Tietan flows into the Na,cheez about
twelve miles above its confluence with the
Yakima; and about four miles below the
town the Ahtanum river joins the Yakima.
Each OF these rivers leads to mountain
passes; the Natcheez To what is
known as the Natcheez pass, the very
best railroad route across the Cascades,
and twenty-e1Gat miles shorter 10 Puget
sound than the Stampede pass. through
which the Northern Pacific hnds It's outlet
TO the coast. The Tietan leads TO the Cow
lltz and tispus passes by its north fork
aud by its south fork 10 the klickitst pass
The Ahtanum opens the way 10 the kiicki-
tat pass through the Sincoe gan Thus by
these varlons passes the way i open for
steel highways to various parts Of Puget
sound. the Columbia river. Vancouver aud
cray harbor. The Yakima river leads
the way 10 the Stampede pass. through the
former OF which now runs the Northern
Pacific railroad (main lnel
by means OF the Northern Pacific rail
ROAD North Yakima has now direct COM
munication with Pasco. and by means OF
the Northern Pacific, Oregon Railway q
Navigation, and the Hunt systems. IL has
communication with DAYTON Walla Walla
aud all points south OF the Snake river. and
also by the Northern Pacific with Spokane
rails. toliax and all points east of The Co
lumbla uver. North Yakima has mn avail
ole railroad route To Priests rapids, bv way
81 The Mckee coulee. and thence through
"atervlile. Davenport and The Big Bend
country and all points north ami north
east; ana southwark. across the Yakima
indian reservation Ia Goldendale. These
various passes, all available for rs'lrosd
routes. have all actually been surveyed
ara tested by the most competent en-.
g'ueerS on the coast and are actually exist
ing, feasible levels through which railroads
VIII IN few years Ne built. Thus il vii, he
seen that North Yakima is the natural
saafoad center OF the future state. Ii will
* borne IN mind that in the construction
OF railroads through mountainous regions
me water course mast he followed I'D one
side and down the other in crossing the
ranges, ana Il i equally true that when
YOU once ascend the stream from the main
cssin or principal valley of any watershed
you are then Coniaed to that stream alone
IN crossing the mountain ridge where h
Uses. North Yakima Is situated where ali
t1e tributaries of great basin meet and
AHe l. not confined To any OF them for
available railroad lines, but size has tine al.
vantage OF them all, and 30 railroad could
ever he constructed through any OF the
passes named AMI avoid the town
- u Is we'll known railroad has been