SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. 29 British Columbia, and is as distinct a geographical division as the Mississippi Valley. It is six hundred miles across the Columbia River basin from the summit of the Rockies to the summit of the Cascades. The leading characteristics of this great Columbia River basin are: 1. A mild and equable climate, with moderate rainfall, short winters, and a bracing mountain atmosphere. 2. More numerous rivers, streams and lakes than are found anywhere else on the continent, the water being clear, and soft, and pure, coming as it does from the neighboring ranges of mountains, where, on many of the higher peaks, the snow is carried the year round. 3. The soil is of unparalleled fertility, producing everything, in abundance and with certainty, that grows in America except cotton, oranges, lemons and figs. 4. Mineral deposits of vast extent and richness; the production of lead, iron, silver and gold amounting to $12,000,000 in 1891, with prospects of a great increase for 1892. 5. Timber and coal in the greatest abundance, and of the highest quality. These are the attributes upon which we depend for the making of the Columbia River Basin a veritable empire, not only in extent, but in actual prosperity, wealth and influence. The argument for Spokane is that it is the mistress of the Columbia River Basin. We claim there is as much of a logical necessity for Spokane as there is for the existence of Chicago, or Denver, or Salt Lake, or Minneapolis. All these cities have grown perforce of the conditions which they are surrounded. Each one of them became a commercial necessity in the growth and development of their adjacent country, Spokane occupies the central and commanding position of the Columbia River Basin. Tacoma and Seattle, the other leading cities of the State of Washington, are 400 miles farther west, across the Cascade range of mountains, and in the Puget Sound Basin. Portland, the Oregon metropolis, is 500 miles to the south west, in the valley of the Willamette. No railroad from the Eastern side of the continent had crossed the Columbia River Basin in 1880. Spokane was then a village of a few hundred inhabitants. The Northern Pacific Railroad came along, and was completed to Puget Sound in 1884. Then a period of unexampled growth set in, and has continued to this hour. Spokane grew to 12,000 population in 1888. The Union Pacific Railroad arrived in 1889; the city sprang up to 80 SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. 18,000. When the government census was taken in June, 1890, the popula tion had grown nearly to 25,000. In 1892 it is estimated at 32,000. Connection with the Canadian Pacific Railroad was established in 1889 by the Spokane & Northern Railroad, and the Columbia River. In February of the present year a right of way through the city, at a cost of half a million dollars, was given to the Great Northern Railroad; the latest, and in many respects the greatest of transcontinental roads. When Mr. Jas. J. Hill, President of the Great Northern came to Spokane to see the people and arrange for the coming in of his road, he met them in the Auditorium and made a memorable speech, in which he, among other things, said: "If we come here it must be in such a way that our whole business will be on as good a basis as a liberal expenditure of money will secure. As far REVIEW BUILDING. as we have gone we have succeeded in building a railroad that is capable of carrying a greater tonnage and of doing a greater business than any transcontinental road that has yet been built, or ever will be built, I believe, hereafter. What we desire to do is to build in here on a permanent basis. To do this we must cross your streets either above or below grade. To-day this is not so important, but it will be very important when you grow to a city of 100,000, and you must grow to 100,000 very shortly or we shall be very much disappointed." (Great applause.) "We believe in giving to the country through which we pass the lowest rates and the lowest prices in order that business be as little obstructed as pos SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. 31 If we sible, but flow as easily as water down a clear channel. come to Spokane and establish here yards and terminals, it follows that we must establish here our machinery and car shops, and with that follows the disbursement of $500,000 in wages alone." The Great Northern Railroad is now being constructed through Spokane, and trains over that line will be running into the city from Chicago and the East by June 1. Spokane will then possess three transcontinental roads and a connection with the fourth. In addition to these we have local roads that cover all the adjacent territory, making this point by far the most important railroad centre, not only in the Columbia River basin, but west of the Rocky Mountains. These have given Spokane a commercial supremacy that corresponds with her geographical position. Supplemental to this, if not indeed a prime factor, is a water power formed by the falls of the Spokane River. These falls extend over about a half mile of the river's course through the city, making one of the most interesting and beautiful spectacles of the kind in the world. This great power has been developed at the cost of more than $1,000,000, and is now supplied at a low rate to mills and manufacturing establishments. The water never freezes, and the power is perpetual. Milling is already an in dustry of large proportions. The wheat yield in the vicinity of Spokane last year reached 15,000,000 bushels. Milling and smelting will probably be the two great industries of the city in the future. Extensive smelting works have recently been established and a company, of which Hon. Warner Miller, President of the Nicaragua Canal Company, is at the head, is now making preparations to begin the treatment of lead, silver, and gold ores, which are found near in such abundance. The commercial prosperity and greatness of Spokane are now beyond question; but she has made remarkable progress also in other directions. Her public school system is one of the finest in the country, and the Jenkins University, founded by Col. David P. Jenkins, will take a proud position among leading educational institutions. Col. Jenkins made an original gift of $500,000 in value. This endowment has since been substantially increased so that now the University is the wealthiest on the Pacific coast with the exception of the Stanford University in California. The population of Spokane is made up of educated, intelligent, refined, and progessive people. Most of them are from the older States of the East. They are building up a great city on one of the most picturesque and beauti ful spots in America. It is a city of much architectural taste and excellence and of every convenience known to modern life. It has 35 miles of electric street car lines, the entire system being moved by power supplied from the 32 SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. falls of the river. Power from the same source runs every mill, every fac tory, every printing press, and the entire electric lighting plant of the city. Spokane is a modern city in every respect. It is a charming place to live in, and to do business in. Its climate is unexcelled. The death rate is the lowest in the Union. In 1891, there were only 332 deaths out of a population of 30,000. Of these deaths only 17 were of a contagious or infectious character, 5 from scarlet fever, 2 from diptheria, and 9 from measles. Business men who have become broken down and exhausted by the enervating climate of the more Eastern States come here and regain their physical healthfulness and vigor. The air is inspiring, buoyant and exhilarating. Malaria is unknown. There are no violent changes in the weather -no cyclones, no blizzards. On the first of last March, when the whole country from Bismarck to New York was locked in icy fetters, and blizzards were holding high carnival, the butter-cups were blooming at Spokane and the air had the warmth and balminess of genuine spring. You can reach Spokane from the East by the Great Northern, the Northern Pacific, the Union Pacific, or the Canadian Pacific. Come out and see us this summer and discover all these beautiful truths for yourself. For any additional particulars, for commercial reports, facts about agriculture, fruit growing, dairying, gardening, mining, manufacturing, or any line of business, address the Chamber of Commerce. WASHINGTON NATIONAL BANK. One of the leading financial institutions of the city is the Washington National Bank, located corner of Howard and Sprague Streets. The President, Henry L. Tilton, who is one of the city's leading citizens, and a large owner of improved real estate, came here from New Hampshire, where he is well known. The Hon. A. M. Cannon, VicePresident, one of the pioneers of the northwest, being of necessity identified with almost all enterprises in this section, is one of the financial piers of the city. Mr. F. E. Goodall, the Cashier, also came here from New Hampshire, and is a young man of strong business qualifications. A banking business in all its departments is conducted; special attention given collection; inquiries cheerfully answered. CLOUGH & GRAVES. Clough & Graves, of Spokane, Wash., are actively engaged in the realestate and investment-brokerage business; they are well and favorably known, both at home and with their extensive clientage, which extends through many States of the Union. This firm pays particular attention to the making of investments for non-residents, and will guarantee investors 8 to 10 per cent. per annum on first-mortgage security on city property; loans made on a basis of 40 per cent. of a conservative valuation of the security, interest payable semiannually; both principal and interest payable in gold. Or if you want to make temporary investments in 8 per cent. city warrants, write them for particulars. References: First National Bank, Bank of Spokane Falls, Old National Bank, and others upon application. A FIRM SELLING 33,000,000 LBS. ANNUALLY. Only of late years the use of chocolate as a beverage has been introduced in America; this, however, to a small extent only, but if the majority of the public would penetrate the fact that using chocolate is as beneficial to the health as tea and coffee is injurious, how many dyspepsia sufferers would be relieved! The most popular chocolate all over the universe is unquestionably CHOCOLAT MENIER. To form an idea of the importance of this immensely wealthy firm, it must be said that huge territories, covered by cocoa plantations and railroads, are their own, as well as sugar refineries, and a fleet of steamers, etc. They claim and deserve the title of-LARGEST FACTORY IN THE WORLD. NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW ADVERTISER. 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