The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-01-26

change r0f ideas and experiences
"A man who spends his whole life,
energy and intelligence in one occu.
patton becomes more proficient and
skiIlful in his line of work than
other men. For this reason, if fol
no other; the farmers should not be
opposed to the merchants, and visa
versa. A merchant who adds a
just and reasonable profit to his
goods, as he must Go if he would
continue in business, can sell to farm
ers just as cheaply as they can buy
elsewhere, even though they unite
and purchase at WHOLESALE prices.
The merchant is surely entitled to
rent, interest on investment and
reasonable remuneration for his la
Dor, and if the farmers unite for
the purchase of goods at wholesale
they must add to the first cost
freight and storage and pay some
one to parcel out tl.eir goods, keep
accounts and make collections. My
idea is that we should all stand to-
gether and support each other so far
as possible.
"We live in the N. w. corner of
the United States. We seldom visit
the great cities of the east and we
might question Of what use to US
are those populous places. and yet if
the population Of this nation were
only one-half as great as it is at
present, cur farms and homes and
lives would not be SO secure as they
are to-day.
Zone Of Daniel Webster's great
speech es in congress was made in
support of q measure appropriating
money for some public improvement
in what was then q far western
state Ohio. The members from
the Nsw England states could not
|see Whist heneHt il would be - them
but Webster convinced them that
whatever benefited the nation as a
whole, or any part Of it, benefited
directly or indirectly every person
under the flag. ! hold that from
our point Of view the same argu-
ment applies to the state of Wash
ington and with even greater force
to our own little county of San
Juan. If any part of our county
grows we are all benefited thereby.
If our towns grow in population
and Importance not only does real
property in the towns increase in
value but farming lands become
more valuable also.. As the towns
become larger and more Influential,
every part of the county gets the
advantage Of better steamship ser
vice. better roads. larger receipts
from taxes. and these things help to
make happier homes, with more
comforts and luxuries, more music,
papers, magazines and books.
If we wish to promote the best
interests of our respective commun-
tiles and of ourselves as individuals
we must lock arms in a spirit of
friendship, brotherly love and pro-
gress, work for county high
school, for better roads, for an an
nual county fair, for summer r.
sorts and for anything and every
thing that will help to make better
citizens and contribute to the sup
port of all worthy people in the
county whatever their business or
calling. The result would be
feeling of cordiality and friendship
throughout the county and our
children and their children. taking
up and carrying on our work. would
speak Of US with gratitude and
pride when we have passed from the
scene Of our labors.
1--WE have the foundation; we
have IN endless variety Of scenery
on land and water; we have shady
groves and sandy beaches, fertile
fields and beautiful lakes; = climate
both delightful and healthy. and
taken 6 Z whole ou- county Is the
quail Of any spot on the surface Of
this great globe. Il i up to us to
Sanr,n1nv, e. ~