The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-22
An Assault Upon Seattle.

Special advtces OF the Post-Inteihgencer
from washington report that the project
to put through congress bill for the loca-
ton Of United states mint at Tacoma
is simmering again. The proposition Is to
remove the mint at Carson City; but as
there is practically nothing there to re-
move, II amounts to the creation OF
new mint. to be established at Tacoma.
Not only does this contemplate a
blow at the chief city of the state. but its
distinctly local quality cannot be hidden
under any DISCUSSES or pretences. 1t Is
an assault upon the city Of Seattle for
the benent Of Tacoma. The establishment
OF . United States mint at Tacoma
would involve as necessary part OF
from Seattle. This Is the essential
feature or the scheme, as It is the moving
purpose behind II. 1t is not the desire to
add to Tacoma's resources or business.
with which no one could have any quarrel.
but the desire TO impair or strike down
those OF Seattle that IL parent to the
idea. Tacoma does not want mint so
much az Tacoma wants to abolish the
assay ofrice at Seattle. That Is the milk
in the cocoanut.
To anything that will build up the pros
perity and business Of Tacoma we give
hearty assent. provided 1t Is not done at
tho direct expense of some other commu-
nifty In the state. To add to Tacoma by
taking away from any city, be It Seattle
q another. any concern that has been
established and built up there by the fore
thought the energy and the influence of
It's people il capital wrong. Public
opinion should not and will not tolerate
Il. II brought about or even projected by
the exercise OF political power conferred
comes not only an injury and injustice to
the city nnfavorahiy affected. but 20 the
whole people whose confidence Is betray-
ed and whose grant Of representative au-
thortty ~ misused.
This IL the vital fact. The assay office
il Seattle institution. 1t was located
here years ago, IL has grown with our
growth. II has become. by reason of de-
seiopments in Alaska. an Institution equal
In Importance 70 any exeep, the greatest
mnts OF the country II the time
has como when another mint is
needed on the Pacific coast--s question on
which opinions dirfer--then the proper
place for Il Is Seattle. not merely be-
cause Seattle is the center aud seat OF
the commerce Of the North Pacific. ha,
because the mint would be- the natural
ousgrowth and sequel OF the assay Office,
which Is here.
There are ample opportunities for
srewth. sos expansion. for securing new
aids TO municipal development There are
scores az new lines along whleh 20 move,
without attempting 20 profit at the ex-
psnse OF eae's nelghbers These Seattle
" constantly seeking; and It Is because OF
this ansestlng enterprise that she has
prospsrcd. TIE same chances are opeu
70 Tacoma let her plan 10 secure any
unaperopslated ADVANTAGE, 10 establish
there any institution " department Of
puhlis activity that has not already q
liked seat IN the state. ano she would mol
NEE, With any obstacle from this city al
any other But the process OF building
ur not with new material hut ey tear
iag dewn what has been constructed else
where al infinite labor ana cost. is eco
nomieally wastetuh morality wrong pollt
leally breach OF trust
There is ne, enc reason why min
Should be located al Tacoma. II has .
smel,er. 50 has Everett, which Is more
over sixty miles nearer the source o
Alaskan sold. II Is the NEST distant ex
eept Olympia OF the smaller Sound eitiel
from the gold fields OF the north
10 inferior in sise. in busines