Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-04-25

California needs at the present time, to
secure advancement and permanent pros
perity, an influx of the producing class
men Of labor without speculations This
class of men have been so sparsely represen-
ted in the State, as to form but minority,
and the spirit of speculation INDUCED in b.
society feverish and excitable, has lost
sight of, or only recognized to Cypress the
interest of all others best calculated to pro.
mote the prosperity of the State.
The first rush Of emigration hither was
induced by the prospect of speedy wealth,
and the opportunities then offered for re-
alization of their hopes. when gold could be
had for the asking, led to the extravaganza
which characterized that period. and the
spirit of speculation and fraud that has
since cursed the State with its iron rod Of
despotism and misrule. A permanent and
healthy immigration was prevented from
seeking our shores, by the unsettled state Of
society, and>by the adverse reports of those
who had not been successful in their efforts
to gain sudden wealth. Those men, desti-
tue of energy and perseverance, and con-
trolled in their feelings and sentiments by
their own want of success, had used their
influence to deter a healthful immigration
hitler
The unfortunate condition of all the real
ly available lands for agricultural purposes
in this State, has operated as the most seri-
Gus check to the influx of the producing
class, and a consequent healthy develop
ment of the paramount interest of the State.
The mere production of gold, is but Sec
ondary consideration, for we reap but little
or no benefit from the gold produced, so
long as it is required to furnish us with the
necessaries of life.
Some of the reasons which have operated
to prevent the settlement Of the country,
are rapidly disappearing before the reliable
United States and Europe, through the in
strumentality of the emigrant aid associa-
ton recently organized here and in New
York. But the most serious obstacle of all,
is the unfortunate condition and unceI tain-
ty which has hitherto surrounded the pub
lie domain. Such men as California now
needs are not willing to leave homes in the
older States, to experience annoyance and
uncertainty of title which awaits them here.
Even this objection, however, is rapidly
approaching a more favorable state, as a
proper course of legislation would demon
strate, even if the whole State should be
confirmed to Spanish grant holders. The rem
edy lies in the system adopted by many of
the Western States towards spectators. who
had purchased large tracts of land, whose
value was to be increased By settlers on adj
joining lands, and that is taxation-taxa-
ton for state and county purposes-tor
roads and schools, and thus force them into
the market. 1t was this policy that contri-
buted to the rapid growth, and permanent
prosperity of the Western States, notwith-
standing they were flooded with heavy land
spectators. There is no reason why similar
policy will not operate quite as favorable for
California, in case the thousand grants now
covering the greater portion of our agricul-
tural lands, are confirmed. Their rejection
would at once open the door to a healthful
Immigration. If they are not, every con-
sderation of public policy, demands the
adoption of inducements for the holders to
dispose of them to settlers. Any other pol
icy with regard to public lands. is at war
with the genius of our institutions, and must
evidently affect our advancement and pros
perity