The Political Value of Infrastructure
Port Angeles residents celebrate Senator John B. Allen's success in federalizing local infrastructure projects.
Port Angeles, Jan. 15. Much interest is manifested in this city and county over the approaching senatorial election at Olympia. Senator John B. Allen has many friends here who desire that he shall succeed himself. In fact, there is no opposition to him whatever. During the past two years he has secured many measures through congress to the benefit of this place. Through his efforts the bills relative to opening up our town site reserve have become laws; our city has been made a sub-port of entry, a telegraph line to Tatoosh has been established, and a large portion of our government lands have been surveyed by his painstaking efforts. Besides this he has done many things for individuals—never, it is said, refusing his assistance in behalf of his constituents.
“Our city has been made a sub-port of entry, a telegraph line to Tatoosh has been established, and a large portion of our government lands have been surveyed by his painstaking efforts.”
Local boosters in 1893 were explicitly linking federal funding—like telegraph lines and ports—to senatorial support. This highlights how Washington's economy and infrastructure have historically been dependent on the ability of state representatives to lobby the federal government for specific, tangible site-based investments.
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