Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-04-18
The Duty OF the Hour.

Tne Outy OF the Hour.
The citizens meeting, held in Co.
lumha Hall. Tuesday evening, was
large III numbers and intense in en-
thusiasm, but the te,su!t-the raising
of the subsidy for the Union Pacific
and Port Townsend Southern Rail-
roads, did not quite meet the cxpecta-
tons of those who form opinions from
the zeal manifested and the import
ance OF the objects involved. About
$50 ,O0) was subscribed at the meeting,
aud this AMOUNT has been considerably
augmented by the earnest and per
sistcnt efforts of the soliciting COM
mittee,, but it is still far less than the
amount required, and the additional
sumthat will he required to settle the
clsims OF those of small holdings
which will be absorbed by the right of
way. This will probably not be large,
but it should be counted as factor
which will enter into the proposition
before it is finally closed
1t is we'll to look at facts as they
exist. There can be no possible OBJ
ject in self-delusion. 1t will result in
disaster if it blinds people to the in
evitabl0 consequences flowing from
passing events. The value of real
property is now inflated, and why ?
Simply because two companies pro-
pose to connect Olympia with their
systems, upon certain conditions. 1t
has, until these conditions are COM
piled with, no real or solid foundation.
The transactions so far have been as
much a deal in futures, as stock
gambling on Wall street. If the basis
of imitation is removed, values fall,
and such descent is generally at
tended with rapidity that seldom
stops at the level from which they rose.
If the cause for the rapid appreciation
of property values in our fair city is
removed, if the foundation for the air
castles that have sprung up with such
marvellous rapidity shall fail, there
will be crumbling and crash that
will involve their owners in inevitable
and irreparable ruin.
. Let it not be taken TOR granted that
either the Union Pacific or its rival
is bound to come to Olympia. We
may have superior advantages and
they be ignored. We may be the key
to the commercial situation, as we
have often boosted, and another COM
bination be used. We may be the OBJ
ject of contention, for time, of giant
corporations, and the strife cease, or
be renewed on some other proposition
of no concern to us as a people.
These contingencies are possible while
we hesitate about just how much aid
each should accord.
It is not expected that everybody
will cheerfully put his shoulder to the
wheel. There are drones in every
hive. There are clogs to every worthy
object. There are men who must be
held up by the coat-tail, of their en-
terprising neighbors. But that should
not lessen the zeal Of the true friends
Of progress. Any abatement of in
terest affects themselves and others
equally deserving, while it does not in
any way cure the evil.
As business proposition it will not
be disputed that those who are most
benefited should contribute the largest
amounts to these subsidies. Those
possessing large holdings of eligible
land will be the most benefited by
rise in realty values. Those who have
already "unloaded," on the pledged
credit of the people are in duty bound
by every principle of honor to pay a
just proportion Of the cost of this in
resfment, as those who wait till they
can guarantee delivery Of the goods,
before sale is made. The man who
owns simply his homestead, and de-
ponds upon his daily labor for support
Of his family, should not be asked for
. contribution.
This resolves the question to the
simple proposition: Give in proper
ton to the benefit you have secured
or expect to receive. be it little or
much. If this principle was generally
acknowleded and made the rule, ten
times the subsidy could be raised
within twenty-four hours in Thurston
county for an object of no greater
magnitude.