The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-01
PoLITIcAL EFFECT.



Washington Elects : Democrats Con-
gressionaI Delegate.
November, 1854, witnessed the unusual
spectacle of Democratic delegate being
sent TO congress, Hon. Mr.. Voorhees, being
triumpnantly returned as the apostle Of
forfeiture. In the summer OF 1885, the
farmers Of White River valley, exas-
perated at the fact that the Puget Sound
Shore line, which had long been
completed had never been opened for traffic,
and despairing of any legislative interces-
sion. advocated tearing up the rails. at
meeting at Kent, speeches were made by
Judges Lewis. Jacobs and Hanford, in the
course of which the latter took the ground
that If the railroad could condemn lands
for right of way for the public good. the
people could, for the public good, in like
manner condemn the railroad track.
James Mcknight and John L. Howard
argued that the road could only be run at
loss, but the roar of those exssperated
farmers reached the ears of the directors in
the East While the meeting was yet in
session mounted courier came flying into
town with a telegram sent to Seattle by
Elijah Smith, OF the Oregon Transconti-
mental, announcing that the road would be
uptueA Nlkl4H tNO WEEKS
But this great concession moved into
action with elogged wheels and brakes
down. Trains numbered along slowly, aud
the service was rendered With perfunctory
unwillingness. When, at length. the ship
pers along the line made renewed remon-
STRANGE. trains were sent twice week as
far out from Tacoma as could gather in
and divert from Seattle the intervening
trade. Then a lumber train was run
through. to which later caboose was at
teched. followed at q later date BY pas
senger car, not TO include Seattle, but to
quiet the traders and to corral the trade
along the Sound south 81 the King county
port.
An attempt was made 70 have the mails
from Seattle 10 the East sent by rail. bat
no sooner had prolonged and patient eff
fort achieved this arrangement than the
railroad schedules were so changed that
the trains to and from Seattle missed con-
nection with the transcontinental trains
both coming and going, and it was months
before the company yielded to the indom-
liable perseverance Of the people. Through
trains stopped at Tacoma and it was nec-
essary TO tranship goods there A mini
mum difference OF so cents acted to the
TO entail loss of 81 100 upon a cargo OF
wheat as between the rival seaports.
Seattle had offered s. 600 600 10 any road
which might be built to the eass, and East
ern Washington had promised q like SUM.
The hopelessuess of ever attaining the COM
mercial position she sought so long as she
looked 10 the Northern Pacific had fully
impressed itself upon the people OF Seattle.
and although they bad built up large city
and thriving traffic through a coast line
OF steamers running TO San Francisco and
by small craft along the Sound and Cana
dian shores, II became necessary to start a
railroad 70 point where it could strike
trunk line.
This was done in 1885, by the formation
OF the Seattle. Lake Shore & Eastern rail-
road, under the direction of ]. Il. McDon-
and. II. E. Gilman and Thomas Burke.
Much OF the credit of this movement is
due 20 L. B. Andrews. whose foresight led
him 20 make what seemed ike a heavy
pscuniary sacrifice in order 10 benefit py
the contingent enhancement OF seattle's
interests.
The entire credit for the conception Of
the road, however, belongs % d. H. Gil
man. who Is an acceutaated type of the
distinguishing characteristics of Seattle He
was man of modest means, batobseryant.
quick 20 see an opportunity. and of untir-
ing energy. He saw the profit to which the
unworked coal and iron beds might he
turned. and he toiied for year and half
before he succeeded in persuading Chief
justice Burke. Angus Macintosh and
Governor Squire to invest each $1,000.
With shat backing be went to New York
and by sheer force of will and confidence
be tnSlly induced Jaraison, Smith a Cot
ting. financial agents, 10 take up the prc-
jest He retained with a capital Of xssa,-
Co. and with that limited amount began
the read. He found hearty colseAeae in
+. ii. Jones, of the New York firm al
brokers, who becAne president of the con-
strGctson company and has determinedlv
pushed the road. kven after the work be-
gan people we're skepEscal and il was long
Known As papsr road, bat. coming as il
da4 IN time OF depression, il resulted in
newly timaaating the Tagging courage q
the peopls and gaye fresh iDpeias TO tbs
city.
Reaching eastward. the new road
seemed 10 6nd beckon OF welcome
from = Few trRnk hRe which
vas stretching oat 10 the Pacific
across virgin territory; is northern Ten
tAeae sasagnE supplying source in the
Caasasan Faesflc as Foot ahers instinct
lively force their way 20 Tiyifying saksrs
The asa lent BY the foreign road vas ore OF
the ness virtle a95aeets 20 TIE enterprise
Of SEATTLE, ard. Although me colonial cam
pSny wAs busy fostering ia eNn northwest
terxalngs. IFS backing 81 t6e American
saSppsng pcsnt VAS sseats2sf Assa eogssias
Nevertheless. - potent vas TIE oEty's cum.
meEesai ssreagsh that It's business formed
aHeGtsssnsh q toe eEtlre traits a the
Northern Pzesec systen