, 1890-11-27

CALL TO THE PEOPLE.


Eastern Washington awoke to n
full realization of the tide land
question, and the perpetual bearing
It's settlement will exert upon the
commerce of the state.
The fight that Is now being made
upon the harbor line commission Is
simply an attempt upon the pnrt of
the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany and the Seattle & Montana
Railroad Company to gain absolute
control of the water front of the
harbors of Washington, and to braid
n monopolistic cinche that shall en-
dure forever. The farmers can more
fully comprehend this danger when
1t is learned that the Seattle d Mon
tana is supposed to be operating in
the interest of the Great Northern.
Pass the control of the water front
to these corporations, and they will
be able to shut out all opposition
from the wheat carrying trade of the
inland empire.
This danger is not fanclful or over
drawn. 1t is the audacious truth,
"a the producing classes of Eastern
Washington will learn to their cost
unless they heed the danger and
combat it ere the steal be cou-
summated beyond repeal, and
"vested rights" established that even
the power of the supreme court Of
the United States can not combat.
The trainers of the constitution, In
their far.seeing wisdom, endeavor-
ed to build barrier against these
cunning and greedy corporations,
and declared that in front of each in
corporated seaport city harbor strip
should forever be reserved from sale
or disposal in any manner. which
should be leased to private capital
and corporations for periods not ex-
exceeding thirty years. The intent
of this reservation was to prevent
tho harbor fronts of the great cities
passing into the perpetual control of
the corporations, and at the same
time bring revenue to the people
and reduce taxation.
The corporations are now en-
deavoring to render nugatory this
wise provision of the constitution,
and unless the people arise in their
might there is danger of their sue
cess.
Under that provision n harbor
line commission was established.
That body is composed of honest,
men, who know their |
duty to the people, and who have
resisted both the Establishments and |
threats of the interested and selfish
They began their
work at Seattle and attempted to
locate a harbor strip GOO feet in
width, as directed by the constitu-
ton, where it is needed by COM
merce, and where 1t would best
serve the people and bring the
greatest revenue TO the state. They
have been enjoined by the courts.
II now remains to be seen whether
he people of Eastern Washington
will stand by their friends or per-
nit tho water front To pass Into the
hands of rich and powerful corpora
ions, who propose to take this prop
,rty OF the state and forever employ
t as an fundamentally to enrich
themselves at the public expense
lnd club away all opposition.
The people can prevent this. The
Farmers Alliance ought to de-
iounce the attempt, and send cheer
ng words of approval to their
Iriends who compose the harbor line
commission; and above all ii ought
o bring such pressure to bear upon
he next Legislature as will lead to
he repeal Of the vicious tide land
sct OF the last legislature.
Now In the time to protect the
public interest. 10 wait uLtil the
lamage is done, until the property