The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-18
SATURDAY. APRIL II
THE GOVERNMENT CANAL.

The Armory hall should be packed TO-
night with such a gathering Of the citi-
Gems of Seattle as shall leave no doubt as
to the citys position on the subject of the
government canal. Seattle has never
wavered IN it's loyalty to that great pro-
sect and viii never cease its endeavors
until the waterway Is open from the
Sound through Lake Union TO Lake wash
sngion. With many other projected i'm
provementS, it has had TO wait on account
Of the financial conditions. not only in the
locality depended upon TO provide means
for purchase OF the right-of-way. but
throughout the entire country. The ma
tionaI government has not been In a posi-
ton to afford the aid which IL could have
easily rendered II the resenues had been
greater than the expenditures, but since
there Is hope that even 100000 can be
secured. nothing should be left undonc
that will impress upon congress the earn
estness Of the people OF this city. II is not
. local enterprise. benefiting only Seattle,
but Will be valuable aid In promoting the
interests OF every part of the state.
The advantages of having n great fresh
water harbor are SO thoroughly impressed
on our people that no arguments are nee
essary to stimulate interest in the move
ment toward procuring II. and all that 10
needed now Is to bring conspicuously be-
fore members of congress the reasons why
che work should be undertaken by the gov
eminent. IL is forty-three years since
Gen. George b. Mcclellan. who made a
personal survey OF the country in 1853. rec
commended that the war department take
the improvement IN hand to create the
finest naval resort In the world" Gen.
Alexander In 1870 said that an inland estab-
nshment at Lake Washington would prob
ably not require any defense. and 1t is
possible that a capacious ship canal with
one or even two locks could be made at a
first cost less than that which would be
necessary to fortify an exposed position.
'If the canal is practicable" said the gen.
eral. "the only defense necessary would
be the occupation Of the shores of Seattle
harbor by barbette batteries. in order to
secure the outer harbor: and this Ii an
important question for the government to
decide at an early date" Commenting
upon the details of work and cost fur
nished to the government. Gen. Alexander
said "If there were such a chance TO
make a great naval depot so entirely Sc
cure. with 80 many advantages of climate.
of coal. timber and fresh water free from
ice. at any suitable point along the middle
of the Atlantic front. or even at the Gulf
coast OF the United States. do not imag-
Inc there would be much hesitation on the
subject: the work would probably be
started at once
Gen. Nelson A. Miles In 1899 addressed a
letter to the United States senate IN which
ne said, should measures be taken by
the government. or by the people of the
state. or by both In Joint action. 1t would
undoubtedly be OF great value TO the COM
merce OF that section of the country In
opening an extensive area OF rich mineral
and agricultural country to water commu-
nication. and 1, would In many ways be a
benefit TO the general government"
Gen. John Gibbon. In 1897. wrc{e a letter
to United States Senator Frye. then chair
man Of the committee on commerce. In
which he said that the proposed canal was
a matter ''of vast importance not only
to tho commerce of the whole coast. but
to government vessels as WELL
All the reports made TO the government
Of various times concur IN most emphafi-
caiiy commencing the construction OF the
canal. and q IL only necessary. as we have
said. TO give reasons why q should be
ban, at government cost. II should be
built by Federal ala because that Is the
only way TN which q can he kept open
and operated free Of toll. and because the
advantages viii stimulate commerce wish
every part OF the United States. The ma
tionai government shouh buIid the canal
because the state Of Washington has pala
and viii pay into the Federal treasury
millions OF dollars for public lands. and
has received but uttie cash In return. In
the year ending January /. 1870. alone the
national treasury Is said TO have received
from the sale of Washington public lands.
steia.SS. In Ave years while the state OF
Washington had received by congressional
appropriations only si7s. -. the state 81
Oregon In the same time had received
appropriations amounting to sl@asr
So far as we know. there has no, been
n recent years. any serious opposition 20
q FEDERAL appropriation from other parts
Of the state. and u would he man!scStly
unfair TO ask that King county. which
has already offered 10 bear the entire COS,
OF the riSh,-ot-~sy. should shoulder the
great expense Of an enterprise which vii
do much 20 promote the commercial later
ests CT every part Of tie state. As II Is
kinx county pays over cae-af,h OF The en-
tirS taxation OF the state. and has never
theiess always been mos, generous IN It's
ce-oDeFattan with every part OF Wash
iastoa ir securing for 4 Congressional ap-
preparations and In fostering rs material
DEVELOPMENT. realizing that the sdvxnt-
sres are reciprocal and that whatever
rebounds 80 the advantage ~ any paril-
s,liAr locanty bensntS The \ hais state,
We hope 70 see toalxhl another craa,s
oa,barst q the cid Seattle sa.sii. wAich
has always been ~tlnES - subordinate
s.etisHRI differences 20 ire SOD % the
aIy and tie welfare % the ssx.s. AID that