The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-04-10

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WHERE THE MAIN CURRENT -.
The movement towards Washington
md the Pacific Northwest generally
Of the tide Of immigration and capital
from the East Is the latest OF many
similar movements during the last
few years. Twelve years ago there
VAS strong impetus in the direction
Of Texas and II looked - though the
most prosperous and popuious high
way across the continent might ex-
tend by the way Of Sc. Louis through
Arkansas, Texas. New. Mexico and
Arizona TO Southern California An
Immense system Of railroads,
In which might be included the Gould
lines. the Atcbison, Topeka 4 Santa
Ne and the Southern Pacific, was built
up under the influence OF this South
western movement Sympathetically
allied 70 this was the entry MS old
Mexico Of American capital 10 build q
number OF railroads. But this entire
Southwestern movement has proved
failure. Texas has left on her hands
more uncultivated lands than is repre-
ssnted by the entire area OF two states
as large as Washington. Nearly every
line OF railroad buils through her bor-
ders went into bankruptcy. and she
has reiapsed into condition of CONF
Yarasivc inactivity.
Arizona and New Mexico have
proved even more disappointing. Both
Of them had transeontinenta lines Of
road In the Atchison. Topeka 4 Santa
Ne and the soathera Pacific long be-
fore Washington had one. and set
neither was fst 10 be admitted into the
Unien along with Washington. Mon
lana and the two Dakotas. The Atchi-
500, Topeka q santa Fe road. which
looked 10 Southern Kansas. New
Mexico. Arizona and Southern Cali
iernia for support. has failed to realize
expectations. and ss a result i In 8
crippled and preearIous condition.
The Southern Pacific has pFospered.
not hecaussui the bulk Of the country
through which Il runs, bat because Of
superior California and Pacific coast
connections and It's advantages as
thrsaeh esrt'e ~ freight, The col
lateral movement into Mes has
completely collapsed. Most a thpi
railroads built through that country
By American capital are not making
enough money 10 pay their running
expenses. and the effort TO induce Inn
migration to move in that direction
has proved an absolute failure
But the iauntless spirit OF Ameri-
canism was not TO he thwarted in IFS
attempt 10 compass the continent by
failure 90 establish southern belt
through which TO establish the main
line OF communication betweea the
Atlantic and Pacific. When the two
Isakotas. Montana and Washington
were given permission 10 enter the
Union. the line Of states was. for the
FIRST time. established oh the way
across the continent. and national
iadossemsnt given 20 the great North
western movement. which has Puget
found for It's iinal terminus. And
here, ~e believe. the true and lsrma-
ncnt sssnseogst aental highway Is 70 be
established At no distant day there
will be chain of large and prosperous
cities all the way from purets ound 10
thc Mississippi river. and heavy and
successful intervening population.
There j. more real and substantial se-
tivity In the portion OF the country
here indicated than anywhere else In
the national domain. IL is the field OF
the building ot more cities and towns.
the settlement at larger emigration
and the construction OF more miles Of
railroad than can Dc found elsewhere
between the two oceans, Ali this
means great deal Tor the Northwest
Pacific coast. II means that We are in
she central current that mus. iiow
constantly and az an increased rate
from the East t. West. enFiehing
everything in It's course. ard thus Civ
inc as well founded and permanent
prosperity.
We believe the new state Of Wash
ington should he looked AZ fn the
light Of these facts and conclusions,
aud that while we shcala nes indulge
in extFavsgsns expectations. We
should At the same time noi tail 10
have realizing sense &c The actual
roSSihiistix. az the sstusxfan