Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-09-21
The Capital Question.
Colfax, Sept, 18, '89,
DECENCY.

COlIaX, OepG, 10, %,
Editor HERALD:
Among the other important matters
before our people in this election is the
location of the state capital. The ques-
ton is chow shall I vote?" If my
knowledge and observation in the mat
ter Will assist anyone IN settling this
vexed question, and you will have the
kindness to lay this before your readers,
I shall feel that have merely discharged
my duty, and you have earned my
thanks.
I am fer Olympia for the following
reasons: [ spent two months in that
beautiful city, with its exhilirating elm
ate, this summer, and speak of what [
know There can be but one reason
urged against Olympia in Eastern Wash
ington and that is it's remoteness from
us and additional cost of going to the
state capital. If there was no weightier
reasons for locating the capital at Olym-
pia than the reason given for not locat-
ing it there then the positions would be
changed and those of us in Eastern
counties might consider the claims of
other towns nearer to us. Let us see
what can be said FOR Olympia: Situated
on the Sound it has the advantage of
cheap transportation; west of the Cas-
cades is our coal, timber, stone and
everything else that enters into the cost
of public buildings, and as the ground
upon which the buildings are to stand
is matter of very small Importance in
this country of cheap land, it stands the
voter in hand to count the cost, part
of which he must pay, before locating
our capital where nature has not placed
the necessary material for erecting
buildings. 1t is conceded on all hands
that living is cheaper on the Sound than
anywhere else in the territory, and
believe that the cost of living at the
capital is of more Importance than the
cost of getting there. Olympia has the
lowest death rate of any city in the ter
ritory; it has an inexhaustible supply of
pure water; it has beautiful groves Of
timber; the climate is mild and health
full; the surface drainage is perfect; the
country round about is rolling, and the
scenery magnificent; it is accessible at
all times of the year even though there
be a snow blockade in the Cascade
mountains. Our public officials, who
must live at the capital, will be free from
the annoyance of alkali dust, piercing
winter winds and terrific sand storms to
which the people of Ellensburg are vic
tins, to say nothing of the extremes of
heat and cold to which that region is
subject. At Ellensburg is nothing but
desert waste, and it will cost 100000
of the peoples money more to finish up
a capital city there than at Olympia.
OF North Yakima the same can be said;
situated on the N. P. r. R., and owned
by that corporation, who murdered the
old town of Yakima that they might
build up the new on their own ground;
it is inaccessible to Western Washington
in case of a snow blockade in the STAN
pede pass, and at ell times the people
will be at the mercy of the N. T. because
it occupies the only available pass
through the Cascades. Who then, 1
ask, will take the risk of placing, by his
vote, our legislature, state officers and
supreme court in the very clutches of
the Northern Pacific railroad company.
Vote for Olympia. J. 81. LETTER.
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