The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-02
"rHr NEW NoRrHwEsr. J"

senator UOipn, OF OIegon, WfiteS In the
June Forum very notable article on 'sThe
New Northwest" designation under
which he localizes the three states of
Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Like
any other thoughtful writer who has
treated this subject, he dwells with adj
miration upon the circumstances of the
original Oregon settlement, whose mo-
tives were found not in the usual spirit of
mercenary enterprise, but in romantic
combination of patriotic enthusiasm and
taste for courageous adventure. "The
patriotism and courage of people," he
concludes, "and their capacity for self
government were never better illustrated
than by the pioneers who settled the Ore
gon territory. maintained their allegiance
to the general government during the
period of joint occupation, and held the
country for the United States"
Senator Dolph points out very signif-
cantly that the tide of immigration to the
territory to the west of the mountains is
not likely to be checked by the ocean and
turned back to the states lying immedi-
ately to the east, because the resources of
these commonwealth are not adapted for
the support of large populations, while
the lands upon the Pacific watershed are,
from the varied nature of their resources.
The Senator discusses at length the
natural qualifications of the territory in
question to support varied and flourish
ing population. Nature" he says,
everywhere in this region has been Law
ish in her gifts. The climate of
both Oregon and Washington is most
,equable. In Western Oregon and Wash
ington it is difficult to draw the lines that
divide the seasons. Winter is usually a
wet season, but there are often long
periods of perfect weather in February
and March. Flowers frequently bloom in
the open air in January and green fields of
growing grass and grain may be seen all
winter"
'The volcanic soil of this region, much
of which was supposed few years ago to
be worthless, is peculiarly adapted to the
growth of cereals. The average yield per
acre in Washington is officially stated to
be 23.5 bushels, exceeding that of any
other state in the Union. In 1890 the
wheat product of Oregon was Il, S65, 900
bushels, and that of Washington was ,01,-
600 bushels"
'Wool-growing is another great industry
of this region. The climates well adapted
to sheep-raising. Owing to the mild win
ter the fiber of the wool is uniform, and by
proper selection of breeds and the care of
focks, the finest grades, equal to the best
Australian wool, can be produced"
"Apples, peaches, prunes, plums, and
all small fruits-in fact, almost all the
fruits grown anywhere in the temperate
zones-reach perfection in Oregon and
Washington, and the yield is abundant"
Experiments in the culture Of sugar
produced there as successfully as in any
country on the globe"
Manufacturing is well advanced. Water
power and fuel are abundant, and the sup
ply of timber, coal, iron, and other mate
rial for manufacturing purposes is mex
haustible."
''The forests of Western Oregon and
Washington are the most valuable and
extensive in the Union--a mine of wealth
awaiting only the touch of human indus
try to be transmitted into gold"
"Shipbuilding has been carried on to
considerable extent upon Puget Sound,
the Columbia River and Coos Bay, and
will be one of the great industries of the
future"
''The fisheries are important and valu-
able. Deep-sea fishing has been success
fully carried on, and this industry only
requires sufficient market for the pro-
duct to rival that of any part of the
world"
"The deposits of the precious metals in
Oregon, Washington and Idaho are con-
tinuation of the rich deposits in California
and Nevada. They are found mainly in
Southern and Eastern Oregon, in the
northeastern part of Washington, and in
Northern Idaho. Large quantities of
placer gold, when gold was first discovered
in these localities, were mined in Southern
and Eastern Oregon and Washington, and
in Idaho; but until very recently, owing
principally to the task of transportation
facilities, quartz mining has not been
greatly developed"
"The resources of this region in copper,
iron, coal, marble and building stone are
abundant. There are eleven coal mines
working in Washington, and the OUTPUT
in 1888 was 1, 1S3, sol tons. Iron ore exists
in abundance in both Oregon and Wash
ington and consists of bog ore. or limonite,
hematite and magnetic ore.'
AS to the future of this favored corner of
the American Union Senator Dolph points
out the following facts as tending to make
it bright one: 'The construction of the
Nicaragua canal, the completion of which,
within the next decade, appears to be as
sured, will have marked effect upon the
commerce of the coast and the deyelon-
ment of It's resources. 1t will shorten the
distance between PAget Sound and New
Orleans 11,005 miles, and between Liver.
pool and the mouth of the Columbia River
6,926 miles"
This section possesses peculiar adyan-
tages for controlling the trade and fisher
les of Alaska, and the trade between the
American possessions and British Colun-
bia. 1t is TO share in the rich and growing
commerce of the Pacific coast of the limited
States and the Pacific coasts of Mexico
Central America and South America. But
1t is when We turn to study of its adyan-
tages for trade with Asiatic countries and