The Bid for the State Capital

The constitutional convention has provided that the location of the state capital shall be submitted to the vote of the people this fall. It is generally conceded that the capital should be brought into the central part of the territory. The present location at Olympia was a good place for the capital in the old days when the principal settlements were in the Puget Sound region, but times have changed. It is now generally conceded that the seat of government of the new state should be located at some point in Central Washington. Mr. W. J. Murray of Yakima presents the advantages of that place, arguing that Yakima is the point most easily reached from the northern, southern and eastern parts of the state. Because of the topography, people coming from Vancouver and the southern counties must come to Yakima. Furthermore, if the Southern Pacific or any other line from Portland to Spokane is built, it would make a direct route to Yakima. The Northern Pacific also affords direct connection from Walla Walla, Columbia, and Whitman. The fact that Yakima is beautifully laid out with shade trees and streams, is in the center of a valley easily approached from all districts, and is blessed with a good climate makes it the best point in the territory for the seat of government.