Spokane Bets $1,000 on a Road to the Coeur d'Alene Mines

In response to the notice calling for a mass meeting to discuss the building of a wagon road into the Coeur d'Alene mines, a number of citizens assembled in Cannon's Hall last Saturday evening and held an animated talk over the proposition. There was not that spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm that we should take delight in chronicling, and the crowd was not so great but that the hall would hold the audience comfortably. Still, those present were in earnest, and several of our prominent citizens spoke warmly on the subject and pointed out the necessity of a good road from Spokane Falls into the mines, showing that from their natural position they are tributary in a large degree to this city. One energetic speaker builded upon his eloquence until he pictured Spokane as the Denver of the Northwest. Of course this flight of fancy is not inadmissible, and the only thing that will at all prevent our city from developing to a great size will be the apathy of the people; and if through want of public spirit we do not grasp the opportunities within reach hereafter, no one will be to blame but ourselves. It takes no wise man to foresee the influence that the mines are to have upon increasing the growth of this city, and anything that can be done to advance the interests of the place should be done promptly. The importance of a good highway leading from this commercial centre into the midst of the mining country needs no argument. It is too plain to everyone to require a long discourse. With next spring regular lines of stages will be plying between Spokane and Hayes City, and the road will be crowded with freighters' wagons. The road is more practicable from the point proposed through the mountains than anywhere else; it can be traveled when all other trails and outlets are impossible. The Falls cannot command all the trade, neither do the business men expect it, but situated as they are they can have the greater allure, and that is worth making an effort to secure. At the meeting it was decided that prompt measures should be taken to secure the road. $1,000 was subscribed on the spot and a committee appointed to solicit further subscriptions. It is true that our people are too frequently called upon to fill with money various objects, yet few propositions asking for financial aid have ever been submitted from which such a royal return may be safely counted upon. It is to be hoped that no effort will be spared to push the road through at the very earliest date.