The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-16

KING COUNTY AND THE CANAL.

Since King county was settled by white
men four plans for constructing the Lake
Washington canal have been suggested.
1t has been suggested that the funds
necessary for the construction of the canal
be raised by private sub.cription-that
those who were generous enough and
wealthy enough should carry this great
undertaking 10 completion and present the
GENIAL as free gift TO the community. This
plan, of course, must be cast aside
at once as absurd and childish. 1t would
be utterly impossible TO raise the amount
OF money necessary for such work
in a community like Seattle, or, indeed, in
any community. After New York's long
and unsuccessful struggle TO raise by
voluntary subscription a fund of $3.50, coo
for the erection of the Grant monument,
no sane man would undertake to raise, in
Seattle, by the same means s.. 500,o 900 for
any purpose, however desirable the ac-
This plan. therefore, must be thrown aside
at once as unbusinesslike and impracti-
cable, the very vision Of a dream.
1t has been suggested that the canal be
built by private corporation whic h
should undertake the work as q business
proposition and maintain the canal for
money making.purposes. This plan must
also be rejected. No company or indi-
vidual could or should secure control of
such q waterway. Such an arrangement
would give the company operating the
canal monopoly of the harbor facilities
of Lake Washington and would prac-
tically defeat the purpose for which the
people of King county desire the building
of the canal. A practically free canal be-
tween Lake Washington and the Sound
would be OF great and general benefit
10 the commerce of the Pacific
coast, but canal managed as
business proposition and for the purpose
of making money would be OF no advan-
tage whatever. Every benefit to be de-
rived from access to the great fresh water
harbor which Lake Washington affords
would be lost If vessels were compelled to
pay for passage through the canal such
tonnage as would be necessary in order to
This plan, therefore. must be thrown
aside. as 1t would not in any measure meet
the purposes for which the construction of
the canal is desired.
1t has been suggested that the canal be
built 10y King county and that bonds be
issued to raise the necessary funds. This
plan is also open 10 objections which are
not 10 be overcome. While the canal
would be local improvement in the sense
that it is located In King county and tina.
the first and primary benefit OF its con-
struction would be felt by the people of
King county. il would be national work
Ia the sense that the harbor which would
thus be opened 10 the commerce of the
world would be OF advantage TO the entire
nation. 1t would be neither fair nor right
for King COMFY to assume this burden
No one desires more earnestly than
the PosT-INrELLIoKScER the con.
stTuction OF thu Lake Washington
canal. but the Posr-INrrtrlorNcrR will
earnestly and always oppose any PROPOSE
tion looking to the construction of that
canal ny means which would saddle King
county with an indebtedness which the
county should not be called upon 10 bear.
Such an Indebtedness would render i'm
possible the mourning of further debt for
any of the ordinary purposes Of comfy
government; i would cripple the county
in the matter oi building roads. bridges
aud public buildings; il would be a fearful.
handjcsn t. King county in the race for
p~e-emiuence. aud II would be burden
which the people could III afford 10 besr.
Much as tire rosGINTFtiIaFxcER desires
the construction Of the cana il IS No,
willing that the cost Of that work be n!ti-
mately borne BY tie taxpayers OF King
county
The fourth and only remaining plan -
that Shis canal be constructed bv the IA
sioual government. precisely q. similar
works are constructed by that govern:aent
IA almost every sea coast state. Thisis
the plan which has been regarded as thu
ou.y feasible one ~ 81 who have intelsi.
gently examined the subject The govern
IDent has considered the matter 81 under
taking the Work. sal has had preliminary
surveys q. ale wish shat purpose in view. 4
hi! making an appropriation Tor the be.
ginning Of the Work was PASSED ~ the
senate during the las; session Of conrress
Another oil, with tie same purross in
view. IS now - the senate calendar. hay.
Ing been favorsbly reported from tae COM
mIttee 10 which i was referred And 8
similar bill. - pending IA tie house . rep
TesentAtives With very asttetlne PROSPECTS,
ot IS passage at the approaching session
a. congress
1t seems strange that there should be
shy opposition IL sach w,rk firm sav
source. providing the government IS I'll,
ms 10 undertake X The very tact tAai
tie canal was about to be built, howevv-
sropsel the enemies Of Seattle 10 8 !sss Al
fagt ;o prevent : NoTx which could 70;
fsL 10 re Of great benefit - tbs c.ty
Every influence 1oStile 80 Seatt,s Au1
King ooaoty IS srrayeJ 30 prevent she
passage Of she peni.ng bills. A persistent
sud despsra:s attempt has been MADE -
array the v hu,e state "a opposition 70 XII!
measure and TIE x.ealSs OF Seattle Eats