The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1902-06-19
ALETTER FROM SEATTLE.

long since passed. With little snow or
as cold as we have experienced, and our
worst atfiiction in the winter months is
always plenty of raIn-n gentle Ell
fusions. seldom falling III torrents as
sometimes happens i'll an Eastern thun-
der storm. Spring has been a little
backward here as we'll as in New
England, and possibly elsewhere East.
1t warmed up suddenly May 9th, and
50 was the record followed next day
by three degrees warmer. On the 9th
it was down to 20. and there it is due to
remain, between 20 and 10 for much of
the summer. When Seattle mercury
gets up among the SOS it is only for
TWO OF three days at most, and it seldom
recurs more than once for the summer
The prevailing winds here are from the
west and southwest, coming from the
Pacific, sweeping over snoW-clad noun
Iains, and. at the city's borders, fresh
from the salt waters OF Puget Sound.
The question OF the railway merger
is not OF itself attracting any great
amount of attention in this State, unless
II be from the fact that Governor Me
Bride has sought to make it an issue
The Governor is well known for his
anti-railroad prociiyities, and he loses
no opportunity to show his antipathy
10 the lobby" Much comment has
been made on the recent promlncia-
nento by the Governor, not altogether
i'll accord with his mandates
Among it all, a recent letter from one
O. Seattle's leading business men is
probably most expressive of the pre-
vaiiing sentiment throughout at least
the western section of our State. We
quote:
business men of this State, and
that includes the farmer as we'll as the
merchant. are taking no interest in the
suit being brought by the State of
Washington against the merger. With
out knowing the real condition of
things III the eastern part of the State
il is apparent that everybody except
the politicians are so busy that they
have absolutely no time to pay atten-
ton To tins matter.
The Governor in his late interview
has practically started an antir railroad
campaign and is endeavoring to draw
the business interests of the state into
the matter 1t is not possible for him
OF any other man TO do this. The rail
roads are at present spending vast
sums of money for the betterment of
cAelr facilities all over the state and
are transporting people by the thous-
ands to settle up the state
The Great Northern railway is doing
more for the State Of Washington and
The city of Seattle in particular each
year than could be accomplished by all
cue politicians of the state of Wash
lngton in thousand years. Nj. Hill
is planning. not only for a day but for
years 10 come
The State of Washington, III order to
become a great state, must increase its
oriental commerce. and if there is any
man on earth who is doing more to as
sist M the upbuilding OF this trade than
Mt ]. !. IIill it Wouid lie gratifying to
learn OF him. Mr.. Hill has never made
a promise to the citizens OF this State
which has not been carried out to the
letter OF the law.
IT politicians viii sound the business
men of this State regarding the matter
III question, they will find that they are
almost unanimously opposed to the
methods now being used.
The lumbermen, farmers and bust
ness men of all kinds VIII not stand for
1t. and the governor in his remarks does
not by any means represent the bust
ness sentiment of this State
LOT all the States III the Union, the
State of Washington is the last one to
oppose the railroads. 1t would be alb
solute folly and suicidal to attempt to
throttle the railroads.
Let US serve notice on the politicians
that as long as they contine their efforts
70 politics no harm will result, but if
they attempt to drag business into poll
tics som ebody will be hurt at the wind |
mp"
The question of Hills Puget Sound
terminus for his proposed Oriental line
OF mammoth steamers has been definite
" settled by orders for the deeper bred
iLg of his Seattle docks-to lhe depth
OF thirty-four feet at extreme low tide. |
The two big steamers now building at
New London, Conn, will be launched
during the summer. and will soon then
proceed around the Horn for Seattle. |
Mr. Hill has authorized the statement
that these two steamers Will be follow
ed by three more. These vessels are
each $50 feet in length, 10 II feet beam.
aud - L. feet IN depth: gross tonnage,
y 600 TONS and extreme load displace-
ment Of about IS 600 tons.
In summing up the details of con
structlon. the capacity of the vessels
can be best seen DV a few GONNA riSonS