The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-01
THE NoErHERS PACIFIC.
The Greatest Factor In washingten's De-
velopment-

velopment-
The great development Of the state
Of Washington as set forth in to-
days observation-disclosures is the logi-
cal result OF cause and effect. Na-
tnre provided the rich soil. the great
forests, the untold stores OF mineral, the
navigshle streams and rivers, the incom-
parable horbor of Puget sound and the
wealth of food fishes. These were always
here, bat before the natural resources could
be developed there was neeaed more peo-
pie, more capital and the railway. Take
the record from 1855 to 1880 and al must
admit that the progress during the past
five years was greater than during the
twenty-five years from 1850 20 1885. The
one agency which contributed most toward
this development was the Northern Pacific
Railroad Company. From the day that
this company finished the task OF piercing
the Cascade mountains and giving Puget
sound direct connection with the railway
system of the United States. the industrial
progress of Washington has been rapid be-
yond comparison with any other Western
state. The Northern Pacific advertised Wash
ington as widely and as effectively as all
private agencies combined. True. the motive
may be regarded as selfish, and il may be
said the railroad was simply working fer
passengers and freight. Yet the fact re-
mains that the railroad has added inn
mensely 20 public and private wealth and
immensely TO the present unparalleled
prosperity.
With the change in the financial manage
ment which came at the stockholders an
nual meeting in October. 1858, there was
inaugurated more liberal policy, and men
OF broader ideas were selected TO admins
ter the affairs OF tae great corporation
men who had brains enough to comprehend
that the interests of every section OF Wash
ingfon were identical with the interests OF
Northern Pacific stockholders and bond
holders, and 10 serve the former well was TO
do like service for the latter. Ii re-
quired one year more to adjust differences
between inharmonious factions in the di-
rectory and not until October, 1889, could
Henry Willard and associates put into prac-
teal working their policy of fairness. The
great reduction in rates on building mate
rial. urgently needed in Seattle. Spokane
Falls and Elensburg Immediately after the
the fires, is an instance of the company's
appreciation of their duty in the matter
The granting TO Seattle OF equal rates on
grain from Eastern Washington is the first
important step in the new policy. and may
be- accepted not only as the fulHllment OF q
promise made, bat as the beginning of a
policy of equal justice to all. =
The Northern Pacific has been pre-emin-
entity the tourists line. and while hundreds
and thousands of Eastern people visited
Puget sound with . view OF enjoying is
eqnable climate and looking at the mag
niacent scenery, all of US know how many
of these visits of pleasure resulted in the
investment of Eastern money. and how a
year or two later brought 10 Washington
many families of wealth. culture and IN
fiuence In advertising the scenic and
climatic attractions of Washington and
its material advantages the passenger de-
partment of the Northern Pacific laid the
foundation for the very large immigration
which has come within the past three
years. Their passenger service, too, has
been kept up 10 the standard of the best
Eastera roads--fne vestihuled trains, ex-
ceilent dining cars. fast time and certain
connections. All these help 10 advertise
the state Of Washington, as well as % pop
ularixe the road with the travelling public,
For the coming season the Northern
Pacific will establish fine steamboat ser
vice on the Sound aud steamship service
20 Alaska. The splendid steamer CITY of
Kingston, now en- ronte from New York, is
the first Of q systera Of larger and faster
boats for the future. Completion az the
Hunt system OF railroads, 10 connect with
the Northern Pacific. gives 90 Puget sound
direct intercourse with the richest grain
fields OF Eastern Oregon and Washington.
and this must necessarily benefit both
sections