Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-02
special Correspondence Of TIE EVENING STAR
TACOMA w T. Jannary IL lSS


OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES PEOPLE
special Correspondence Of TIE EVENING STAR
TACOMA W. T., January Is, 1889.
A travelled man, whose vision extends beyond
the horizon OF to-day, a resident of Washing
ton city, said not long ago: Washington terri
tory is destined to be the center Of western
civilization and refinement. The cities in the
vicinity OF Puget sound will rival in magnif-
cence and wealth the Mediterranean ports at
tne height OF their prosperity. The sound is
the Mediterranean of the western hemisphere.
The climate, mild and healthful, will attract
the already rich. The mineral wealth, I'M
rlvaled timber lands and fertile soil of the ter
rltory will bring to it fortune-seekers, sturdy,
brave-hearted men, builders of nations and
cities.'
Already the prophecy is being fulfilled. The
man referred to, who is in the front rank of
washington Journalism, visited Tacoma about
ten years ago. Then il was struggling village,
bearing but slight resemblance to the Tacoma
OF to-day. change has taken place. The
advance guard has reached Puget Sound. and
preparations are being made for the reception
OF the great army behind. The sound cities
are extending their areas continually and
tnough scores OF houses are going UP in every
direction, the newcomers have to content
themselves with poor entertainment at the
crowded hotels
THE REAL ESTATE BOOM.
As natural consequence of the rapid in
crease in population both Tacoma and Seattle,
the principal cities on the sound, are suffering
with real estate fever, in its most malignant
form. The fever is contagious, and takes but
lew days to communicate itself to the stranger
to the soil. 1t usually requires about a week
Tor IT to take complete control Of mind and
EAfh l.
OF the richest sections of this country. Abound
ing IN all that is needful it can not only sus-
tam large population of its own, but can
make enormous shipments to those not SO well
provided. Judging from it's resources and its
present rate of growth it is safe to predict that
within few years Tacoma will be one of the
greatest cities on the slope. Real estate is now
held at good figures, and from time to time
large tracts of land outside the city are placed
on the market and are eagerly bought The
real estate man has no more to do except to
prepare his flats and arrange his books for the
rush that is sure to follow. The night before
the sale men begin to gather around the
brokers' Office. A room is usually provided
Tor the early corners. 1t frequently happens
that score of men will wait all night in order
to be first at the sale.
THE BUILDINGS
The character of the real estate boom is in
dicated by the number and cost of the houses
being erected The buyers are numerous, but
there are few who SELL As soon as a lot is pur-
chased the ground is broken for a new house
The most attractive dwellings are located on
the bluff. at the foot of which lies the sound All
the residences are of the cottage design, and
are provided with every comfort and luxury of
Ine modern eastern home. Very little brick or
stone Is used in construction. Occasionally a
foundation OF one or the other is laid for
frame superstructure. The business houses
are nearly all substantial brick or stone build
lngs. Tacoma, with a view to keeping abreast
OF the times, has also its flats
THE MOUNTAIN
Have you seen the mountain?" is the first
question asked by the Tacoman How welcome
to the ear; so refreshing a change from the
ANY news or whats the good word" of
Washington. Moreover. the popular Tacoma
question is not a senseless one, asked for want
OF something better to say, and without expect
ing an answer. They really wish to know if
you have seen the mountain and what il looked
like. Mt. Tacoma, as it is called here but des-
ignated as Mt Rainier on the maps, is never
twice alike. Its monster cap of white assumes
every shade and tint. The mist, strangely
hckle here, now SO dense that objects fifty feet
away cannot be distinguished and in an instant
gone, leaving the air SO clear that the hills
over nifty miles away can be seen, serves as a
curtain now descending on glorious panorama
now ascending to expose one even more grand
The clouds, too, seem to dispose themselves to
add to the attractiveness of Mt Tacoma
Sometimes narrow band Of the mount re-
fleets the rays OF the sun through a rift in the
dark clouds. Again, the clouds settle down
and towering high above is the magnificent peak
very properly called Tacoma which means
near to Heaven" 1t is near to Heaven !"
both in height and aspect. 1t furnishes con-
slant theme for the clergymen and is great
istence of God. Mt. Tacoma is of the Cascade
range and is located to the southeast of the
city, fully fifty miles distant. There is another
beautiful view In the northwest. The Olympic
mountains are seen in that direction These.
too, are white capped and form topic of con-
versation for the Tacomans, second only in i'm
portance to the city's huge namesake.
THE STATEHOOD QUESTION.
The territory is divided on the statehood
question, not as to admission but as to name
The convention recently held decided to me-
morialize Congress for admission to the states
under the name of Washington. This an
nounced, a thousand names were suggested as
better. The papers are taking up the contro-
versy, and altogether there is quite hub-bub
over the matter. 1t was decided to retain the
name OF Washington for patriotic reasons.
Those who offer the names claim they do so
for business reasons. The fact that there are
so many Neutrality-suspicious. and cities-is
cited as strong argument against allowing the
business OF the territory, after attaining state
"
However, every resident of the territory strongly
favors its admission to the Union, and would.
doubtless, accept almost any name rather than
retard congressional action in this direction.
THE MAYNARD COMMISSION
II Capt. Mahan's commission consults its
comfort the members will preserve strict in
cognito while examining Puget sound with
view to locating navy-yard somewhere on its
shore lines. Tacoma and Seattle are array
ing their respective forces, and as soon as the
commission arrives it will be besieged with
arguments for and against those rival cities.
The people OF both are anxious to secure the
hayward. Its location at either place would
greatly advance the importance of that city,
and would OF necessity, be hurtful to the other
Both cities have appointed committees to wait
on the commission and endeavor to prevail
upon the members to decide in favor Of their
particular place. The committees are deter
mined, and it will be a miracle if the commits
sion is not rent in twain by the vigorous pulling
in opposite directions. The commission was ex-
pected here before this, and much disappoint-
ment is felt on account Of the sickness Of Capt
Mahan, which detained IL in the east. Some
wiseacres say they believe the sick story is a
dodge to enable the commission to quietly
visit Puget sound, accomplish its errafd and
then escape without being buttonholed IN
favor of any place.
GAMBLING IN THE WEST.
A social revolution is now in progress here
and elsewhere in the west, which means the
certain downfall Of the gambler and the
destruction Of the gambling bells which have