The Shasta courier., 1854-04-01
Nlarysviilc Correspondence.

DEAR StRs Having seen the Courier of last
week, containing an article in regard to the
9 Steamboat Combinations" have thought Of
writing an account of the proceedings of the
merchants of this city last night, in reference
to this matter, which affects not only the vital
interests of Marysville but that indeed of every
interior town in The State, and consequently
every man, woman and child in the mining dis
tricts.
Monopoies of any kind are contrary to the
spirit of onr government, and sentiments in a
political view; but a monopoly that tends di-
rectly TO affect The procuring of food by the Ia
boring men and women of the State, to such an
extent that they must do without food or give
all they can make, by sacrificing all the com
forts Of life, all the social eujoyments. and even
life itself, is revolving to humanity; and those
who thus employ the very gold which the in
dustry OF the miner has procured, are forging
for them fetters that will put stop to the limbs
ofindustry in every corner of the country.
Those who are intimately acquainted with the
condition OF things in the mines of this country
know that it is as much as majority of the mi
ners can do, to make enough to pay their ex
penses. know that this fact (at least l think
1t is facD is denied by the papers OF the cities
and that they would make strangers believe that
California even yet in all her glory; but those
who have lived among miners will bear me out
in the assertion which | have made. Now, ii
STEAMBOATS, form coalition for the purpose of
carrying freight, and raise the price TO such a
figure that the merchants in the country must
charge more for their goods the effect will be
to drive the miner to seek other employment
and not find 1t: or what would be Just as bad
for this State, it would force them 10 go to So
nora, or the Atlantic States, provided it were
possible for them to return home. The last
move of course would be difficult for want of
money.
Bnt for one. am not inclined to censure the
coalitionists alone, as men devoid of a sense of
Justice, and imbued with feeling of selfishness
which stiles the generous impulses which some
of them may have had, but which are now DOR
mant. These very merchanfs,i in some instances,
own vast deal OF properly, consisting of lots
and houses; aud they ask such enormous rents
for them, that no man can engage in business
and thereby compete with them. unless he has
a fortune to back and sustain him. There are
stores renting for enough money per annum 20
pay for them! This is not at all better than the
steamer business; yet these same merchants
cry out against the former, and declare that it
will ruin The interior towns, (Which grant,
aud break them down. Verify they are pat
ric,ic set OF course l mean those of them
who own the properly.
Well, for the proceedings The F" merchants
assembled last night, ard after the object of the
meeting being stated, and few speeches (and
practical ones at that) were made, it was re-
solved that a subscription shonld be made at
once, to raise money for the purpose of buying
an engine, preparatory to the building of
steamer, for the purpose of being enabled to act
ndepently Of the coalition line. Whether the
movement will GO through or not can't say. but
think it will. hope that no one will hereafter
employ the boats which belong to this company,
and thus show them that the company will not
be imposed on with imPunity
II we seek for the source of all this monopoly
business, We find it in San Francisco, city
which is source of pride to all Cslifornians, as
the great emporium of the Paciic:'' but
which unhapply for the S'ate, has within its
limits the greatest number cf "land- sharks" of
every variety. Her citizens have, during this
winter cost the State an immense sum- for the
sol. purpose of elevatins to seat in the Senate
of the United States man who, if be should be
elected, would never do good commensurate
with the evil that he has entaied upon us this
winter by bis inordinate ambition. Indeed San
Francisco is at This day the only city in California
that shelters the men who make it their busi-
ness to rob and plumber our treasury, as well as
few Of those who bring disgrace upon the ju-
dietary. Yours,