The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-17

construction OF such defensive works
should be taken as soon as possible.
commend In my annual report the trans
fer of the Fort Townsend garrison TO
Magnolia bluff.
/" In SO far as this recommendation con-
cerned the company at Fort Townsend. /
was influenced by the fact that the fur
Their continuance of a post there was USE
less. as IL did not serve any military pur-
pose. and that the garrison should Ia any
event he withdrawn: and as II Is the part
OF wisdom to maintain troops In that sec
ton. thought the company might be
made the nucleus OF larger garrison To
he placed where IL could best render. .un-
der present circumstances or those TO he
developed. the means of government pro-
lection which the inhabitants of that por-
ton OF the country demand
what seattle VIII Offer.
"a The result OF the recommendation
thus far has been a movement b the ci,i-
zens of Seattle 10 secure and fender 10
government such portions OF Magnolia
bluff IS would be required for the estah-
l!shment OF a post thereon. All action
which has been taken AZ these haadquar.
tiers In the matter is embodied In cores
pondence copies of which are incIosed
marked exhibits ID and r." By reference
thereto II will be seen that the chamber
of commerce of that city has been Inform
cd. In answer 20 ita application. what strip
of land is desired. also that II would be
for the interests OF the inhabitants TO give
the Same for United States military uses.
IL encourages. l think that Seattle viii
acquire and offer to government, title TO
the desirable portion of the bluff contain
Ing some thirteen or fourteen hundred
acres Should IL DO this = would earnest
iy recommend acceptance and immediate
application for an appropriation of $4,000
which would be a sufficient amount 30
erect the needed buildings required 10
comfortably quarter two companies OF In
fantry; such buildings being so placed as
not 10 interfere with plans TO be hereafter
developed for the construction Of the large
and permanent post which future nseessI-
ties will demar1d.
!" 4 am aware that this method pro-
cedtre IN post building, viz, 10 erect what
might be considered temporary structures,
belongs 10 the past and Is not row prsc-
ticea. bat II this Instance II would provide
for the Fort Townsend garrison and keep
troops In that section. much 20 the satis-
faction % the people. and the occasional
labor % troops during construction could
be utilized without setrif0ent ard 90 great
advantage Bessdes. sneh buildings need
rot be temporary in their nature, bur can
be so constructed and located as TO be
available for the needed purposes OF
large garrison after its substantial quar-
tiers and barracks are completed.
Fort Townsend Post Useless.
- 4 may appear somewhat urgent in
pressing the abandonment OF Fort Towns
end on the plea that It's continuance as
a military station is without any result
Ing benefit so further and claim that
its rafeaticn ia r detrirnsnf 70 the govern
rnens. since II destroys the availability OF
n portion OF our small army. and | am
also Of opinion that II mast Of necessity
BE- abandoned very noon because OF its IN
adequate water supply. which "a gradually
decreasing. It's main dependence 10 q
small spring in the foothills, which during
the dry season of the past summer failed
10 Yield more than four or five thousand
gallons daily. think that fhs post must
re- given 40 soon. and the question which
presents Itself rs 10 what pcirl can i,s
garrison he most adyaAt areot1siy moved.
I respect fully request mature eoustaera-
ton az the proposition which I have adj
vanced IL II IN considered irnpractfcahle
TO rsare the garrison ~ Magnolia blur, I'm
eaaa a sufficient acreage n secured there
10 accommodate iarge post "a noTenenr
whtch should take place next spring..
then 10 what point shall they be senfy
But whether or not the authorities decide
thar my recommendation .a this Part scnlar
matter has merit. respectfully ask that
they carefully weigh the great value OF
Magnolia biaH ~ very important post
tifsa for permanent occupancy by q large
body % troops within the system of de-
fensee recommended isy the fertilization
board for the necessary protection OF fhs
sIsFsa hltants Of the Puget Sound country
~ have incorporated this lengthy ex-
tract fgona my report OF November s, 40