The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-01-01
THE ASTORIA NEW YEAR,

THE ASTORIA NEW YEAR
Standing on the thrsshAold Of new
year and new era N the history Of the
city founded by John Jacob ASJor more
than a hundred years ago. it is meet ana
fttlng to pause short time. look back
over the past and pceplre for a good
start in tue future
All arc familiar With Washington lrv-
ing's Astoria. all OF US inow Of the strug-
giles Of the pioneers in Clatsop county;
most Astorians can remember the devel-
opment Of their city into a noted nsn
pahking mart. and every SCHOOL child
can recite the history OF the efforts made
to secure railroad connection here AeI
knows. too that Astoria Is the larresJ
city in the UnRed States OF equal busi-
ness importance without a railroad line
to the outside world. For a quarter OF
century Just past. schemes and schemes 1
have been evolved for the building OF
railroad here. ard under some of them
expensive construction work has been
done only TO be met with defeat in the
end. A great step towards the devcl-
opnent OF cur magnificent port was com
pleted with the finishing Of the jetty by
the government at the mouth of the river
and the increasing tonnage Of export bust
ness from this port by deep-sea vessels.
the increase in number Of vessels OF tre-
ueudous carrying capacity. capped by
:he large business Of 1897 shown in de-
tail in another column. are but an ;ndi-
cation Of the commerce that may be ex.
pected TO be handled al this port the
New York OF the Pacific. when all con.
ditions are ripe. all Interests have been
harmonized, aad the transcontinentaI
railroads have been given an opportunity g
70 discharge their freight at tide-water
upon deep-sea vessels. and receive from
them silks. teas, spices. curios of s,a '
orient. AID general merchandise from ]
Europe. It remained for A r Ham.
mond to successfully carry out the rail.
road scheme after the failure of various
other parties and syndicates. much upon
the same lines as proposed by the Union
Pacific, just before that company went
into bankruptcy. Mr. Hammond came 1
mere from Montana. merchant of nation '
al reputation. and three years ago entered
into contract with our people to buIId
railroad from Astoria to transcon- =
ttnental connection. He financed the c
scheme during the panic has kept all OF
his obligations, and within a few weeks
the road will be open to traffic. connect
ing at GOble with the Northern Pacific
and thence at Portland with all other d
transcontinental lines. n
What does the accomplishment Of thi.
feat postend to the port Of Astoria? It .
means that the export and import busI- 9
ness Of the Columbia river will be dou-
bled, trebIed. and quadrupled within the
next few years; that the oriental traffic :
which is beginning to be Of such ire.
mendous importance to this country vii, 7
soon grow to large proportions, handed a
through this port. The 0. r. & y. Com t
pany has already established line Of 0
fine steamers in this particular business 9
and 1t stands TO reason that the tonnage n
will soon be greatly increased. The n
opening of the railroad also insures the g
large increase in wheat export, lumber
-four, and the establishment Of linen cot.
ton, and iron manufactorios. j
The entire state Of Oregon is inter.
ested in this movement at the mouth 0,
the Columbia river. The natural re.
sources to bring about all the results
just enumerated are ours. Nature mas
been prodigal and mans labor is only
needed TO produce the blossoms of pros
perity. Are we ready for lhe great
dhengs that are about to come, and
which will come either quickly or in an
Other generation, az Astorians them
selves may elect?
To build up traGc for a railroad after
NE get one; to make business for the
people Of such railroad town; to establish
with foreign countries; to turn
natural resources into manufactured pro.
iucts-requires something more than the
mere building Of the railroad, the secur-
ng of ships, or The erection of brick
buildings. Other towns on the Pacific
have done all this and are still failures.