The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-27
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE, SUNDAY. AUGUST ~.
wEsrEnH POLITICAL UNION.

WESTEnN POLITICAL UNION.
Congressman Needham. OF California.
10 not on the wrong line OF Western
political needs when he suggests that
the states OF the Coast effect some sort
Of union for action in congress and
with the executive authorities in WASH
ington. There Is ample need OF this CO.
operation. II II can be brought about.
and the enthusiasm OF nome Of the new
~ elected members. such as Mr.. Need
ham, may 90 far toward establishing 1t.
Paudty Of votes from any one Of the
Western states has already seriously
handicapped the efforts for Federal at
tention In many matters of Importance.
and the difficulty Of reaching the ear Of
the several departments with concerns
which seem vital TO the Coast is known
to every city and vicinity from Blaine
to San Diego. or from Salt Lake to the
Farallone islands. Eastern and Middle
West states are So closely affiliated that
each immediately affect the other and
joint action is not only easily begun
but Is quite inevitable. s 'iHs
Geographical separation Of important
points on the Pacific coast creates an
entirely different situation. Rivalries Of
commercial enterprise and of local pride
tend to maintain sectional antagonism
and thus confuse. impede and weaken
claims laid before congress or before the
executive authorities. This is well Illus
trsted by the disproportiouate appro-
priations received by the several Sec
tions for public works. especially for
public buildings. and by the unequal
privilege and patronage extended by
the Washington departments I'm such
matters as the dispatching OF troops to
the Philippines.
Sectional rivalry. OF course. can never
be done away with. be the cooperation
sought by MIR. Needhans ever SO thor
ough and potent: but rivairies always
yield to rational delibera,ion-eyen In
the severest mercantile competition
and political divergences may be ex-
pected to be drawn together under the
superior influence OF political necessi-
ties. An era has now set In wherein
the Pacific coast ts To become cnnsid-
erable menace to the. long established
commercial supremacy OF the Atlantic.
There Ii 10 be animated contention in
congress and elsewhere to retain the
Eastern prestige and the power that ac-
companies Il. as Is evidenced by New
York's alarm and activity over the loss
Of shipping which IL has discovered
within the last few years. River. har-
Dor. canal and public building appro-
priasions VIII be sought tariff prescrip-
tons viii be eontended for. interna-
tiorai concessions will he urged~ani
all Of them In accordance with the in
terests OF the elder points OF the East
rather than with the needs of the newer
points OF the West.
Nothing but concerted Western es-
fort. backed up by the indosnitable
Western energy and determination VIII
be able TO resist this movement and Sc
cure for the West the endawneats
which 1, must have Every section OF
the country Is entitled 10 what Il can
get Chicago and the Middle West are
in league foe the development Of the
great lakes. The Southern and Cuff
states are advancing their claims sue
cessfuiiy at Galveston. at the mouth ~
the Mississippi and as far north as 81.
Louis The Pacific coast will saIi la
mentally behind IL IL does not toin ev-
cry possible and available resource In
pressure at Washington for us necessi-
ties aud desires.
Congressman Nesaham can 80 moth
inS better for his constituency. sor the
portion OF the United States ia which
he awelis and for hts own statesman
ship than 10 devote his generous energy
70 the cooperation ~ the Western Pc
ll,!eai influences.
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