The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-07-12
PLAIN TALK.

L<11N dLA.
The census of 1880 gave Tho Dalles
2250 population, and the enumeration
this year will give the city less than
1000. Calculations, based upon the
vote cast two years ago, and the num-
ber of school children enrolled, have
placed the population at 5000; but
this was evidently over estimated.
There is no denying the fact that the
city has never properly appreciated
the advantages which it possesses. If
it had, instead of having scarcely 1000
residents it would have 10000. We
do not believe there is a city on the
Pacific slope with the same natural
advantages that pursues such suicidal
policy in everything that impels
growth and prosperity. Every new
enterprise creates enthusiasm for the
passing moment, and after that all
interest dies out and; the city goes
back to its graveyard existence. A
few years ago there was manifested
considerable enthusiasm about build
ing boats to do the carrying trade to
seaboard. A steamer was purchased,
and all indications pointed to the
practical solution of the freight prob
lem. The secretary of war was re-
guested to grant the privilege of using
the government property at the Cas-
cade Locks for roadway for drays
and wagons. An official letter, with
the seal of the government, was re-
ceived, acceeding to the terms of the
request. A steamer-the A. A. Nc
Cully-was at the mouth of the locks,
waiting for high water to oe placed in
the trade of the Middle Columbia.
The ascent was to be made Monday
morning; but, ,unfortunately-althoush
there was only watchman on board
Sunday, near noon, the boat burned
to the waters edge, and nothing more
until recently was ever heard Of oppo,
sition on the river. The burning of
the McCully the day before she was
to enter the traffic of the river,
was matter difficult of explanation,
and a satisfactory solution has never
been made. Soon after this event,
movement by the board of trade was
made for bridging the Columbia river.
The city charter was amended allow
ing non-taxable bonds to be issued
for the amount of money necessary,
and Hon. J. N. Dolph secured the
passage of a hill through the senate
granting The DalIes the privilege of
constructing bridge over this navi-
gable river. A committee was ap-
pointed, and competent engineer
hired to make an estimate of the cost
of the project. The committee did its
duty, and made its report. That was
all that was done. The transporta-
tion scheme and the bridge project
both ''sleep the sleep that knows no
waking" and there is no monument
to mark their dishonored resting
place. Such has been the fate of al
most every enterprise that has been
originated in this city for the past ten
years. Every effort to build up the |
municipality and improve its natural
facilities has met determined opposi-
tion from our own citizens. The rea-
son of this is the bitter factional
hatred that exists between our own
business men. If transportation
scheme is favored by certain man, it
will be opposed by another; and if a
bridge is thought to be advantageous
it is certain 70 meet with opposition I
from some source. At present, the
mayor is in favor of an early water
supply by the most available means,
and the same sactional fight is carried
to its fullest extent. In almost every
instance, as regards business enter
prises, The Dalles has pursued sui
cidal policy, and our own citizens have
"knifed" the greatest factors of our
development. The city has every
natural advantage for growth and
development; but there must be har-
mony before the least progress can be
made. There is no use in Disgusting
facts any longer, for the time has
come when we must do something
it we expect prosperity in
the future. The first thing is
to do, away with these factional
fights in business enterprises, and if
we cannot do this there is no use il,
attempting anything for the benefit of
the city. While this constant fight
continues among ourselves our busi-
ness will depreciate and The Dalles
will be the graveyard of buried hopes
md blasted expectations.
The ire of the Celestial empire has
'een aroused by the exclusive meas
res, and the Chinese minister in
Washington says his country will re-