The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-11
A~SToRIANS, AWAKEl

In another column appears a letter
from the Rev. Mr., Walter, concerning
the difficulty Of procuring houses FOR
dwelling purposes, and a few days ago
the same complaint was made elsewhere,
while newcomers who are here have
stated that had they known the miserable
class Of houses offered for rent At high
figures they would never have located
in Astoria. The query whether Astorlans
are asleep and blind TO their own inter
ests is a pertinent one Tremendous
road. The railroad is assured, Efforts
have been made TO interest foreigners in
building up the city to meet the require
m~nts OF the great commerce that viii
soon center here; cash is needed which
must come from abroad. and yet the To-
cal property owners have not taken the
first steps toward the outlay Of the few
paltry dollars necessary to provide decent
dwellings for those who would come to
help build the city that IS to be. People
elsewhere in the state. and even IN the
far East. have awakened TO the fact that
there is a place at the mouth OF the CO.
lumbia called Astoria. and that it IS TO
have a railroad in lS6 and tina, its geo
graphical situation insures it a position
amongst the greatest seaports OF the
world. Some have already Indicated
their intention OF having a hand in its
growth and a share in its prosperity. Is
II not time that citizens began to under
stand something OF what such a growth
means for any place. and at least make
preparations to take care OF the
people who would come here to put their
brains and money into the clty's al;
yanDement instead OF forcing them 10
live in Portland, and losing many would
be citizens altogether? The travelling
who was here today we'll remarked
il Astorians realized what they had.
and possessed the energy and snap Of IN
people, 1t would not be 1850 be-
~ q NAAg bhE AGAtAAAa VI GtaAAAN was
lpreared in Astoria. Look back upon the
spirit which builded the new Chicago
from the ashes OF the great c~onhagra-
ton in ISL. Pure nerve and Indomitablc
will which knew not the word ! has
the greatest commercial center
N the continent II stands today a
,rrvr-o,+ - t.gf,.-- r.r,a.- 81 4..,,t
'esidences, and its people are the most
successful mercants and traders in Amer
ca, ~tireless in their push and energy.
2ecollect the wonderful grit and bravery
first founded and afterwards re-
and beautihed the prosperous cities
II Spokane and Seattle after their dis
fires which had completely de-
their business houses. with
hat stubborn determination which never
recognizes defeat. those cities surmounted
what appeared to be insurmountable diff
and stand today in their pros
,erity and success bright examples Of
car be accomplished by the true
American spirit. Neither OF these cities
possessed one-tenth Of the natural adj
rantages with which Astoria is endowed.
They made some mistakes in the earlier
OF their growth, but the pride Of
spirit and determinate win was there.
is today carrying them through the
crisis Of hard times. Profiting by their
mistakes. but adopting the same Chicago
dea, Astoria can soon have her hills
with beautiful parks and resi-
lences and her business streets lined
with magnificent buildings and prosper
Gus enterprises. Astoria is an old city
already, and should advance on business
principles and along the lines Of legiti-
nate trade, avoiding the shoals Of what
= popularity termed a boom" and which
proven 80 disastrous in other West
I'm towns. All Of the elements are pres
mt to warrant and justify a RAPID
The lines Of commerce with the
Orient and with the Eastern states have
,nly to be grasped with a firm hand to
insure success and supremacy in trade.
The wealth Of Astoria's own products
md resources will find sure markets by
all and by sea, but we cannot afford to
away those who would join
with US, and whose assistance we
iced by meeting them upon the threshold
With the announcement that there is no
for tFrrs In which to lay their
There IS no necessity for such a
tate Of affairs. 1t IS not as II the city
we're born yesterday and all Of its people
welt in tents and dry goods boxes.
iere IS wealth and a well-dehned city
ct there also be the right foresight and
.atriotism in building up and utilizing