The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-27
TACOMA AND THE TROOPS.

The Tacoma Ledger and Tacoma
News unite In expressing their great dis
pleasure at the prospect OF q successful
soldiers reception I'm Seattle The Post
Inteiligencer will not refrain from re-
marking that any matter upon which
these two newspapers are able 20 agree
must possess in itself extraordinary de-
merits. Hostility to Seattle is the only
common bond so far discovered be-
tween them. The Ledger sharply crtti-
cises the local citizens committee for
declining to bring Company home by
ran and unwarrantabIy intimates that
the little scheme Of Seattle" IL 10 get
10000 or 10000 people from the rest Of
the state to 90 to Seattle and spend
their money for Seattle's benefit" The
News complains that the men have been
ccerced into making q sea voyage, de-
scribes the Seattle celebration as
side show" and "shopkeepers' project"
and remarks that but for MI. An
keny's promises and the Seattle efforts
the people Of Washington would have
given the regiment an enthusiastic and
appropriate welcome such as IL de-
measures to give the troops an appro-
pirate and enthusiastic welcome Is OBJ
viously to refuse Mr.. Ankenys gener-
Gus proposal. defeat the whole Seattle
enterprise and let the troops pay their
own way. and straggle along to their re-
spective homes when and how they can.
Let US see what Mr.. Ankeny's original
offer was. In his letter TO the manager
Of the PostInteiligancer August q he
said
II am glad 10 know that the people OF
Seattle are ready TO give the Washington
boys fitting reception, They ought to be
mustered out at Seattle. do not
think, however, that the burden OF ex-
pense should be put on Seattle, as the
ccst Of entertainment alone Will be heavy
Seattle never does things by halves.
VII gladly pay the expense OF transporta-
ton Of the regiment by steamer or steam
ers from San Francisco"
1t thus appears that the whole trans
portation project from the first was to
invite the troops TO make the journey
by water. No other promises were ever
made on behalf Of Mr.. Ankeny or the
state reception committee. The Waila
wailan ascertained that Seattle had
begun its preparation to receive and en-
terrain the regiment here. and ne doubt
less felt. as pretty much the entire state
felt, that no other piace--last of ell Ia
coma-~wouid dispute this city's just
claim TO being made the destination OF
the volunteers. Tacoma had been the
rendezvous for mastering in the regi-
ment. and II was only fair that Seattle
be made the point for mastering out or
disbandment. No protest was then
made BY Tacoma, nor now. so Mr. An
keny offered 10 tighten the heavy bur
den OF expense by bringing the troops
here. Fer reasons not necessary to re-
plans for the great home coming enter
talnment are 10 he successfully carried
out.
The Post-Intelligencer is at IA loss 10
account for the inspiration behind these
two Tacoma newspapers in their atli-
tude toward the Seattle reception. It is
positive they DO not voice the senu-
Inenfs of the people Of that city. II elites
the news columns Of the Ledger II bear
out It's statement. Last sunday morn
ing was printed an account Of "a meet
Ing Of the citizens reception committee.
wherein II Mas shown that IL project to
bring the Tacoma company home BY rail
had been abandoned The committee
wanted II distinctly understood tha, It
would take no steps that would MILL
tate against the success of the Seattle
reception. and II desired 10 make It's po-
sgeon perfectly clear. The Ledger fur
.her said:
~ thorough canvass os-,he business fY,en
- the city has hsep made ard The result
Is that every merchant has gone ON record
h-s'rg DESTROYS cf having the bows re-
c"iveG in some manner Crelitat}e - the
STATE e ~ Washington. wherever .he demon
s,ra;iou q welcome may - made"
Thus w know where Tacoma stands.
ari There We also know the Tacoma
new spsCers - not stand