The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1889-08-30
MOUTH OF THE uoLuMBiA.

ILwAcu, w. II Avg 18th, 1850
After examining this portion ot our
country, embracing the mouth OF llie Col
umhia River and It's surroundirgef ard
comparing the present with the fiofiatll.
ties Of the future In regard to them NJ ne
reminded OF remark nude by Nj Mrss.nnfd
In speaking OF the great convulsi,,fs ihsnl
going on In Eastern AAia -''ihat i + nj
error TO suppose that reyoluiioMs vii
obatener designs they are lnaugu,aied 10
rctard human progress," Although lie vas
speaking Of political revolutions, ihe ldeR
may be applied TO commercial matters Foi
years Il has been the policy of Potilhnd TO
make that city the only shipping dere in
Oregon. AID with q master hand she has
maintained her policy and built NJ a lIeli
and ilourlshiug commercial centef not
withstaudlng there was possible location
for city at Astoria nearer the oeeao i,
tie miles than Portland. This purpose 10
center In Portland the shipping Interests 81
the Columbia River caused the levy - lie
made upon sea going vessels OF rT'ry
Character that engaged 10 this trade oi a
river tax that has been regarded as great
burden and al injury TO our g etmmefe,.
Every effort has been made that could he.
to keep the river open for the ~eeanmo
dation Of ships engaged In our inPoti aud
export trade. While for forty yrais l'ort
land has captured this business, fer g serai
years past 1t has been evident that Ii time
great revolution would take place Il, lie
shipping business OF the Columbia Rive.
II was impossible To ignore Longer i'
natural and less expensive claims ol -
torla TO that which has enriehed Portland
despite the protest and punishment OF those
who could not help themselves, but who
had to support this Portland scheme
While we would not detraet for a mo
ment, from the good name and fame oi
Portland which she will no doubt mainl.ir
whether she retains the shipping or ma,
We must admit that there Is revolnlla
going on very important 10 Portland an,
TO Oregon. !, Is the natural result OF ~,
workings Of rival seaporls. Seattle NJ,
Tacoma have laid claims TO the columbj'
River trade and have succeeded to greo
extent.
II IL matter OF sIgnificent concern Il
Portland when wheat toe day Is worth 81 ;
more per ton nj Tacoma than II l. 20 Port
; land. Aud this state Of things mt. b
{ ~. a 4 Il
> cd There l. one way TO meet II and la
/. Is io have the shipping of cereals made a
1 the mouth ci the Columbia River. TIN
will be done The je,ly Eow being bull
has caused change Ia the channels q
the river aud has already deepened tba
leading 10 the sea Il few feet. Four thou
c send feet Of ictty have been built since IA
first Of April and the work is pfogressin
very rapidly. The rock that are used f.
1 diiIng arc quarried above Vancouver o
the Columbia river. This work is carrie
on by tlie L. 5. Government and VII i
& prosecuted 10 complete success. Thei
i stones run from 500 pounds, the lo~ei
/ weight ueed, TO six tons Ia weight aud AZ
G handled By hydraulic powen So Tar q
the Columbia bar IL concerned II viii 400
u become Of sufficient depth TO admit an
c class OF ships that may engage In the ifad
j of the Pacific Ocean. la this respect the
n Puget Sound will have no claims over III
s Columbia River bar. This will not oni
c secure the building OF the A < ) { Il !
but will force as tiyai of that railroad n
extension of the o X & y, or some nc
road down the river 10 Astoria. On ii
. Columbia there IL railroad sixty mill
II cast ot Astoria which crosses the river
Il l.Hanier's Point. This Is the North Paeih
!. Soon there Wili be railroad down u
4 river TO Astorig. II is needed now. pof
!. land will Weld 10 the great demand and
!. will be built. From all these changes
!. revolution will be made In the shippif
interests and channels OF the Columb
!. River ns well a. III ITS commercial depot
Everything on the river from Portland
the sea points TO this change. On the nor
side at iiaiier'6 Day The channel Is shoa
d log. supposed To be the effect Of the jet
Il Ia cutting a more central channel. New
a was greater interest taken In these matte
Z by residents and Government, than AZ q
present time. The old plans ere passit
away and svery Interest Is esn,ered 10 q
new.
YouRs.