, 1889-11-21

thcI COnkIuDsi ~ ndo
received more than half a million acres
of land of theIpresent value OF more than
IS, 900, in addition to the magnificent
grant for the support of common schools.
Washington is therefore not only
wealthy In It's resources and capabilities,
but In fact. The present, indeed, gives
promise ofa glorious future, and the past
too, adds Its evidence to strengthen our
hopes. The recent progress OF Washing
ton has been truly marvellous. Less
than decede ago its population was
10000; now 1t Is more than 100000 The
assessed value Of its property was then
twenty-five millions of dollars; now II Is
one hundred and twenty-five. millions.
Then only a few miles Of railroad had
now they penetrate to nearly every part
of the state, and the transcontinental
road extends from its eastern almost to
its western boundary. Then Its largest
city had less than 5000 inhabitants; now
1t contains three cities, each of which
has mors than $1,000 Truly the recent
past gives promise Of q niture which
tions.
THE RAILROADS.
The state is now practically connected
with the south and east by three trans
continental railroads, and there is every
/ 'o"och Aci viz boBc NhAe
will be increased, perhaps doubled,
within few years. With this increase
Will come manifest advantages. Freight
and passenger rates between Washing
ton and the Fast will be materially de-
creased. New markets for our products
will thus be opened, and thu price of
necessities of eastern manufacture will
be reduced. With this increase of COM
mercial advantages will come an in
4
line of agriculture, which always follows
the growth of manufactures.
Truly the prospect is encouraging. 1T
Is such that the citizen of Washington
can look upon his state VII pride and
anticipation which can not be zoe great.
/ OCEAN COMMERCE.
But n forecast of the future OF Wash
ington which did not take into considera.
tion the possibilities of its foreign com
merce would be superficial and very in
complete. Already this is u source of
revenue to its citizens, the importance of
which can not be overcstimated.
Exports from Puget sound are now
carried to ports of all continents, North
America, South America, Africa, Asia,
Europe and Australia and many of the
islands OF the Pacific. The trade of
Europe with the Orient, trade which
enriches every country that has engaged
rnnna,i.on IN 1t; Is mtT nGT rsa insignificant II
become in the near future.
The uncounted millions of China and
North Asia are beginning 10 awaken to
the advantages OF our civilization. Year
by year they accept more and more OF
the manufactured products Of Europe
aud America. Wheat is supplahting rice
as a staple article of food. The Occident
/ ta tf,er 90 ha nr,. IL
Here will spring up a trade which will
vastly outmeasure the old Oriental trade,
aud It is tair to suppose that ressona-
BILE proportion of this mighty stream
will flow through Puget Sound, which is
nearer by many thousand miles to the
commercial cities of Asia than are the
competing ports of Europe. The manu-
faetured products of Eastern America
and the products Of our own state will
be exchanged here for the products Of
Asia. As consequences of this
trade there will arise upon the
waters Of Puget Sound several CONNER
cial cities, one at least of which will rank
with the great commercial cities of the
world.
EASTERN wAsHiNuroK
Tho eastern portion of our state Is un-
rivaled In the production of all cereals
and the fruits indigenous to the tempe
rate zones, and its productive capacity
Is almost incalculable. Are not these
considerations sufficient to justify the
citizens OF Washington in their firmly
rotted belief that their state will ulti-
mately be one of tho foremost in the
Union2
NEW DUTIES IMPOSED.
The substitution of state govern
ment for that of the territory imposes
upon the citizens of Washington more
solemn duties and grayer responsibilities
than those to which they have boen ac-
customed. Hitherto the power of our
legislative To enact laws has been lin
! tied and restricted by the organic act
and the amendments thereto, and by
the various laws that have been passed by
congress relating to the territories.
FurNler than this, congress reserved the
right to annul any law passed by the
territorial legislature which seemed TO
be unwse and injudicious. We had no
voice In the selecting of our executive
+ and Judicial officers, and none in direct
, ing the course of the national govern
The power of our Legislature will be linn
tied only by the constitution of the
United States and that Of the state oil
Washington. Our citizens will be on
an equality with those of any Other
2 state Of the Union and their wishes will
= have due weight in determining the pol
r icy of the national government. We
, should therefore exercise conscientious
: endeayor to bear well these new re-
, sponsibhities and discharge faithfully
: the new duties which are ours, and
{ prove ourselves worthy of tho rights
, which we have secured Let greater
4 wisdom accompany the greater power
that we now possess
, Let us discharge the additional duties
, deyolving upon us in manner that will
rebound to our credit, advance the well
, Importance and strength to the nationa
Union.
/, THE CONSTITUTION.
, The constitution which has beer
l adopted by our people, and on which
: our state government must rest, al
though not universally approved, appears
to be satisfactory to great majority o
9 our fellow citizens. No cne should hav'
= anticipated perfect constitution. Al
: instrument of that character never ha'
been and never will be devised. IL the
constitution is as perfect rs could b'
reasonably expected, taking into consid
l Grafton existing conflicting interests ant
. radical differences of opinion that are on
8 tertained upon many importan
5 governmental and other questions, ther
Q all should.be content to submit to the will
r Of the majority, and at least be willing
: 10 give the constitution q fair trial
: Should, however, experience teach tha
$ any Of its provisions are unwise, o
4 others are required, or that additiona
I. limitations upon Legislative power ar
= necessary, then let amendments be pre-
t pared IN The manner provided. Ther
e are indications that this course IL no