The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-29
FOR THE CAPITAL:
NORTH YAKIMA.

To sae Tasess Of IfasAfsesea: In coming
st this time before the iecY.c OK the terri
tory with eur reasons fer asking that this
city shall Ne Insde the capital, we have. Of
course 70 present again some facts that are
aireaay familiar 70 al who Nay rtnd- Ii IS
not necessary 20 assume any mastery II
the matter, or 20 assume that our Trend ]
n the territory are not already aware OF
The advantages presented by North YAK
ina as pc.nt for the capital. These mat
ssrs are very well understood. They are
better understood by the old settlers than
by those who have come in later; tor i
may he said. without fear Of contradiction,
that the Old settlers OF Washington terra-
tory now the state or Washington. have
always cherished feeling that sooner or
later the capital would be moved from
OLYMPIA TO North Yakima. In this con
nection we will call attention 10 statements
which follow, showing our ce nsrai location
and the readiness with which this point
can be reached by rail and the natural al
vsnsagss which make il now and forever
hereafter the central point OF the state.
Nature has made here beautiful plain,
surrounded by spurs o. the Cascade mount
ans midway between the Cascades and
the Columbia river and IN the exact center
OF state between east and west. Nature
has further provided great open valley
here. with fay0rs OF climate and accessible
ifv 10 be found nowhere else in the state
In addition TO what nature has done, ir-i-
Cation. aided by the hand of msn, has
stepped IN and heauiifei the city IN a
manner % make it remarkably attractive
to all who pass between the Mississippi val
ley and the Cascade range. Whatever may
be said in contradiction Of this, or for the
purpose of bringing forward other points,
will be easily set aside by personal exam
ination. In fact. 80 far as we have the
benefit of personal opinion, there Is no
doubt nor reason for an attempt at con-
yincing arguments. We have only 10 re-
and To state TO those who know
less of cur 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 a matter OF fact We have TO
the west OF us, only twenty miles distant,
beautiful PARK, equal IN every respect and
beauty, 20 the great Yellowstone park. II 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 cliffs, rising 10 The
height OF thousands OF feet, beautiful
stretches of park with trees OF every kind.
and elk dear, bear, and ali that is left of
animal nature from the eGcroachmeut of
man; in fact this is the westsrn-mcst bar
rier OF civilization. On the other side u
the mountains civilization again begins,
and the slope goes to the water 5 edge. leav-
ing the wildi.ess of animal nature ex-
hausted by the advancement OF modern
progress.
The extent of this great Yakima valley is
not generally understood throughout the
state, since it includes eight valleys con-
yerging at this point. Here irrigation has
done more than at any point in the United
States, outside of California and Colorado.
We have the most beautiful gardens on
he. yxs4h tlaf
may he 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 ard 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 ez-
anime the matter OF the 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 il Is found 10 be
the exact center from east to west. aud by
census it is found to be almost, il not
quite, the center Of population, and al
though somewhat south OF the center geo.
graphically, by making q reasonable al
lowance for the mountainous country in
the north 10 I'LL mp, ii will emily place North
population, thus making the location fair
one for all sections ana all directions in the
state. Ii Is obvious that while the argu-
ment founded on central location Is a
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, shout lVu 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
1ietan flows into the Natcheez 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 Nateheez pass, the very
best railroad route across the Cascades.
anu twenty-eight miles shorter 10 Puget
sound than the Stampede pass, through
which the Northern Pacific finds It's outlet
10 the coast. The Tietan leads to the Cow
liz and ClSpus passes hy its north fork;
ana by Its south fork Ia the Klicki.at pass;
me Ahtanum opens the way to the hlicki-
tat pass through the Sincoe gap. Thus by
these various passes the way is open for
steel highways 10 various parts OF PUGET
sound, the Columbia river. Vancouver and
trays haTbor. The Yakima river leads
The way to the Stampede pass, through toe
former OF which now runs the Northern
faeiilc railroad (main linsl.
by means OF the Northern Pacific rail
road North Yakima has now direct COM
muhicatlon with Pasco, and by means of
me Northern Pacific, Oregon Railway Il
Navigation, and the Hunt systems. il has
communication with Dayton, Walla Walla
ana ali points south OF the Snake river. and
also by the Northern Pacific with Spokane
tails, CoiiaI and all points east OF The Co
iambia river. North Yakima has ara avail
D.e ral4road route 70 Priests rapids. hy way
81 tbe Mckee coulee, ard thence through
naterFiilc, Davenport and the Big Bend
country and all points north and north
east anG southwark, across the Yakima
thQiAn reservation 10 GOllendale. These
various passes, all available for railFosd
routes, have all actually been SURVEYED
ana tested by the most competent en-
siAeers ON the coast and are actually exist
if'Sy feasible levels through which railroads
VIII III a few years he buiit Thus il will be
seen that North Yakima is the natural
railroad center OF the future state IL Will
oe borne IN mind that in the construction
VI railroads. through mountainous regions
the waller course must be followed up one
side and down the other in cross;ne ne
ranges, and II IS equally trae that when |
you once aScead the stream from the main !
. n.ts4h oF principal valley OK any watershed.
Yod are tnep confined 10 that stream alone.
~ crossing the mountain ridge where II +
taeS. North Yakima is situated where au 4
t9e tributaries OF great basin meet. and /
ne = not confined 10 any OF them for /
available railroad lines, bat she has the al. 4
sAAtage OF them all, and 10 railroad could 1
..SE &c constructed through any OF the /
passes named and avoid the town
As AZ Nell ErnuVra -zFtruaA