The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-20
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence
BROWNSVILLE, Or. Nov. la.-The
pupils of the North Brownsville public
and high schools have been unusually
excited for some weeks past over the
debate which has Just taken place. The
question, Resolved That Seattle will be
a larger city than Portland within twen-
~ years grew out OF a geography reci-
tation and attracted so much attention
that the Ben Franklin Literary Society
of the school took it up. selected its best
iebaters and proceeded to hard work.
Debaters study Statistics.
The Oregonian souvenir. letters from
the Chamber OF Commerce OF Portland
and piles of printed matter were to be
seen on the desks OF the loyal Portland
debaters. while long. painstaking and IN
terest!ng letters from Secretary Proseh.
OF the Seattle Chamber OF Commerce. to-
gether with railroad maps and stacks OF
printed matter almost crowded the text
books from the desks of the supporters
OF the Washington town.
From letters received IT would seem
that Seattle was anxious for a contest.
record. When confronted with the fact
that the Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Is more alive than the one at Portland.
"the Sidney Smith of the Portland side
replied that 'the chamber at Portland
is too busy with stocks and bonds to
write letters"
Whole Population There.
The room was crowded. The patriarehs
were there. those who came 10 Oregon
In an early day and had seen the time
when they could have taken up the city
of Portland as a donation land claim.
but preferred the location OF beautiful
Brownsville, on the Calpooia, TO that OF
the city on the willamette. The mothers
were there. taking pride in their sons
and daughters
Business men. with investments in
view. were crowded into the narrow
seats. Young men, who had been debat-
Ing IN their own minds the question.
which is the better locality to achieve
honor and wealth. were represented
There was former real estate man of
Seattle. whose thoughts the siren charm
of the bustling city drew back again, and
the dying flame Of enthusiasm for Seat
tie was famed TO burn brighter In his
breast.
Debate Opened for Seattle.
II was a time OF suppressed excitement
when l.. II. Alderman. principal of the
school and president OF the society. call
ed the meeting TO order and announced
that Miss Myrtle Hale would open the
debate for the affirmative.
Dor In North America and II attracts
the commerce OF the world Portland Is
an inland town, and the boats tina, can
get In have 10 be towed in at great ex-
peuse."
That the hattieship Oregon could net
get to Portland, but went 90 Seattle: that
DR.. I. y Driver prophesied Seattle is
Ia be the great city Of the West"
that Seattle Is great shipping center
for Goa, and has great shipbuiidlng IA
ciItles. which Portland has not, and that
the metropolitan town west Of the Rock
les Is Seattle.
Portland Hits Back.
Miss Mae Cooley. for the negative. said:
Portland has 5000 people. while Seattle
has only s101a. but Seattle claims all
Is
thinking OF extending her city limits ~
California In order 10 change her elf
mate"
Miss Cooley cantendet that Sea.tie has
rival towns IN Olympia, Tacoma ard Vic
tcria. that the gold excitement of the
Kiondike causAa The rapid growth of
Seattle. and IL now Is on the wane Port
land has no rival town.
They say that Seattle has two papers,
each ns great "a rho oregonian. but
counting a paper by i,s number ~ pages
and atz circulation is like estimating
poet bv the rurnber OF verses he writes,
Cities Relative business.
Seattle claims more business. bat the
bank eieaFsnga for tho week ending Octe-
pr - show Portland. s. sss 90. ara Sc
attic. g. 4-s .aso balance in favor os Port
lard II So ..n Portland has iaT3 arrns
and these firms represent 81 20. 80. while
Seattle aas onIy 5ss firms. representing
s. To 20. and Portland has almost az
rsaueh financial strength as Seattle Ia
cora ard Spokane p1t together.
I'VE DO no; claim tha, the Portland
harhsr IA as large as the Puget sound.
but that fl Is large enough 20 adnsis al
ysost any ship: that The CAasieston EA1si-
more ard transports have been "a Port
san4F thar AZ ths present slule TIE harsss~
of Portland presents s fseaastt1i appear
ancs. with the largest steam and sailing
shsps. GxinS the Gags Of Ill the countries