The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-07-26
at LAST.

At LAST.
1t is never too late TO make q move.
ment in the right direction, and while
we are sorry that The Dalles did not
inaugurate the river transportation
project years ago, as advocated by the
TIMEs-MouNTAINEER, we are glad that
an effort is now being made with every
indication of being successful of util-
lzing the river as means of trans
portation to seaboard. Nature has
given The Dalles every advantage as
a shipping point and great trade
center, and the obstacles which have
debarred it from fulfilling its destiny
IN the past have been the selfish policy
of Portland, the antagonism of the
railroad company, and the lack of en-
terprise of our business men and
bitter factional fights among
ourselves. During the last two
years it is subject of qualification
that the metropolis is no longer OPP
posed to the interior, and apparently
is in favor of improving the naviga-
ton of the Columbia from its mouth
to its highest navigable waters. The
Union Pacific has inflicted the great
est injury it could on the city by re-
moving the shops, and no consideration
should be paid to its interests in any
projected improvements in the future.
By the failure of crops last season, the
hard winter just passed and the re-
moval of the mechanics in the machine
shops, this city is thrown upon its own
resources and must exercise enterprise
or die The Dalles, like "Pip," has
been heretofore drought ur by
hand" and lived on great expecta
tions. That era has passed, and
our citizens realize the fact. If
they had awakened to this realiza-
tion years ago The Dalles would have
double the population it now possesses,
and the wealth OF the city would have
been greatly increased. This lack of
enterprise has become so widely
known, that every advantage has been
taken of it, and we have been kicked
and cuffed on every side; and, even
now,when the transportation company
is an assured fact, the general ex-
preston is, The Dalles will do moth
ing-it has no business grit, and is
simply fossil remain of some bygone
period. But we have stronger hopes
now than we had for ten years past
that the present movement "means
business" The time has come when
the Inland Empire is in revolt
against the railroad company; when
patience has ceased to be virtue, ard
when other railroad lines are de-
string the trade of the northwest.
That time has passed when the rail-
road monopoly can charge any rates
they desire to inland towns, and feel
assured that they will pass under the |
yoke meekly. The Hunt system and
different railroads are eager to procure
our trade, and are willing to pursue
policy of fairness towards producers.
Wasco county or other portion of East
ern Oregon have not received fair treat
ment from the o. R. & N. Co. or the
Union Pacific; but, instead Of lib
sral policy, the most ruthless oppres-
sion has been pursued, as despotic in a
sense as ever the rule of
the czar is in political one. They
have built up Portland and impover-
ished other portions of the state, and
f complaints have been made the
answer has been received, "What are
you going to do about it, and how are
you going to help yourselves?" This
conduct has exasperated and rendered
desperate the communities dependent
upon it for transportation. Umatilla
county has liberated itself, Union will
in few months, and before the snow
aies The Dalles will haye boats on
Middle Columbia and the carrying
'rade of this city, which surpasses any
point on the Union Pacific east of
Portland. will be largely done by the
Northern and Canadian Pacific. Our
people are desperate, and are not
'unning bluff in this matter. Suffi-
'ient stock has already been sub
cribed to build the boats, and there
gill be no delay. Those who stand
lloof and are fearful to act will be re-
nembered, and if any sell out to the
ompany there will bea future for them.
sor the first time in the history of
The Dalles the people are determined
o liberate themselves from railroad .
and there is no doubt they
7ill be successful in the effort. In >
mother year, from this point to the /;
cean there will be an open river, and +
roducers of the great Inland Empire,
hen they reach this city, will be af. .
'rded the cheapest means of trans +
ortation to tidewater. +,
Mr.. Blaine is trying 20 inaugurate
treaties with the South