The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-11-21
The Official Paper Of San Juan County.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, lse;
.THE AMERICAN SPIRIT"

Probably no town. of any Importance
on Puget Sound, with the possible ex-
ception of Anacortes, has suffered more
from the reaction following the boom
period and the general business depres-
sion of the past three years, than Fair
haven. 1t has little more than third
of the population with which it was
credited in 1890; its business streets are
nearly deserted; scores upon scores OF
houses are unoccupied; its grand hotel,
though open still, is conducted at
heavy loss, and cattle and horses Craze
undisturbed along streets that were
noisy with traffic five years ago. But
the people who are still there have the
indomitable spirit that overcomes all
obstacles, the determination to "stay
with the proposition" until success
crowns their efforts, if by any possibili-
ty the means of success can be brought
within their reach.
The National immigration Congress
is now in session at st. Paul and among
the delegates is Roland G. Gamwell, of
Fairhaven, the wide-awake young
president of the Commercial club, who
attends the Congress as the delegate OF
the club and the of city. The fact that
he is sent at time when the city's
fortunes are at their lowest ebb shows
we'll the firm and cheerful faith Of the
business men in the city's future, and
farther emphasizes their we'll merited
reputation for enterprise and public
spirit under trying circumstances.
From the spirited and able reply from
the club to the invitation of the Com
mercial club of ST. Paul to send dele
gate THE ISLANDER desires to make
the following extract and give it its
hearty endorsement:
1.-THE rebound following the "boom"
period has left real estate at low values.
Many valuable prospects started but
checkmated from lack of funds before
reaching profitable results, assured by
fuller development, can easily be car
ried to 8 successful outcome. Improve
ments Of many kinds, costing large
sums of money, now standing unused,
idle, under the terrible depression that
has reigned throughout the country,
can be taken possession of and utilized
at mere nominal expense, in starting
the wheels of progress, in developing
the resources and building up the in
terests of this country. Gods great
storehouse of natural resources has but
to be tapped with energetic hand,
guided by the arm of industry and the
brain of intelligence to pour forth the
wealth that brings comfort, employs
labor and carries the sunshine of hap
piness to the fireside of every prudent
family. This country is ready for i'm
migrants. We want them with the
American spirit. We want them to up
hold republican institutions. We want
them to build up, not to tear down. We
have no room for anarchy; no room for
the socialistic agltator; no room for the
GROWER, the street corner statesman
and the bunko financier. We have a
great field for citizen with industry,
integrity and moral worth. If induce
ments are held out for foreign imrni-
grants to come into the Northwestern
country, make character test and in
duce only those who will readily as
simulate with our American people
imbibe the spirit of our republican in.
situations, uphold high educational
standard-a people who will be tole
rant toward the religious convictions
Of others and can appreciate that the
beginning of the twentieth century il
500 years too late to preach and prac
tice intolerance to and prescription
against an American citizen because o.
his religious convictions or church re
lationship. The field is ready for the
putting in of the crop; the climate j:
conducive to the work. In Western
Washington the heavens open up ant
the showers come in due season. Thu
yield is in abundance, and watar ant
steam are ready as servants to carr.
L. l. IL r. L