San Andreas independent., 1858-05-22
FROM SAN FRANCISCO.
Correspondence of the Independent
SAN Francisco, May Is, 1858.

I O
San Francisco, May Is, 1858.
| Mr.. Editor As the summer advances, our
city seems to warm into renewed animation
! there is hustle of trade about our streets IN
dicative of better times, and quite cheering to
the man of business Unlike all former ex-
perience, this renewed life is not, this time,
alone confined to the worshippers at the shrine
of mammon-men are being awakened to
sense of their spiritual, as well as temporal
wants. The ear may be greeted at the same
time with the rattle of trade and the voice OF
prayer, in the busiest time OF the day. Men
pray who never prayed before" God knows
there never was place in which it was more
needed altogether it is encouraging to those
who intend to make San Francisco their per-
manent home.
| Since the last election for Chief in the Fire
Department, there has existed a serious mis-
understanding in that body, which is very
much to be regretted. Last week it came to
focus; news got abroad that the Board OF
Supervisors were about to cut off the unruly
members thousands collected around the en-
CINE houses that were to be locked up, ex-
pecting row fortunately, they were disap-
pointed. | can imagine nothing that would
be attended with more serious results, than a
dispute of this kind coming to blows the
feeling is exceedingly bitter, and the end is
not yet. Composed, as the department is, of
the flower of our youth, at that age principal
ly. when "jealous in honor sudden and quick
in quarrel" our city authorities have got to
savors of the high handed
Still, in certain localities, "hurra for Frazer
river" is the cry. Our Macawbar family are
stirring about the corners; something has at
length turned up; so long as the excitement
is waking our idle city hangers-on to make an
effort to better their condition, we ought all
respond heartily" hurra for Frazer River"
even if they do meet with disappointment; a
little hardship and fresh air will do the gen.
tlemen good. We will be relieved of their
presence, at least for season, and there is a
chance that many will never return. The
tear and wear by flood and field, will be con-
siderable besides, Oregon, with her flourish
ing cities, ought now to be able to absorb a
good deal of this surplus loaferdom. The ar
ticle has long been drug in the market here.
So far so good; but when we hear of the fever
spreading among our farming and mining pop
ulation, it has got to be looked upon serious
ly. Then should the good Physician-the re-
liable part of the Press-go to work to stop
the contagon. Medicine will have to be dis
pensed freely in the shape of facts and good
advice. This is the most dangerous excite
ment the working population has yet encoun-
tered here Gold Bluff, Kern River Il Co.,
were short lived there was no impeachment
interviewed to prevent their real financial ca
pabilities being soon investigated, and their
worthlessness made known; still, there were
hundreds of Woodworking men for the time
ruined by the wantonly false accounts circu-
lated. We are not likely to have reliable
knowledge of what this gold field really is till
this season is over and the winter sets in
There are many things to be taken into con-
sderation, even if a friend writes us tha. every
day he works he is realizing his ten dollars
in the end he may still find it a losing game.
From all accounts, the working season cannot
exceed four months-say one hundred work
ing days. After deducting the cost Of outfit,
travelling expenses there and back, paying the
high rates charged for the necessaries of life
while there, what remains for the half years
labor would be poor recompense for the ad-
venture, not to speak of the sacrifice that may
be made in leaving his present occupation,
and finding himself landed on our wharfs in
the winter out of employment. That an aver
age of ten dollars, or even one quarter of it,
can be realized during the season, we have as
yet no positive proof We are cursed with a
set of steamboat spectators who will do their
utmost to keep up the excitement it is through
them we get the most flaming accounts, most
of which seem to be manufactured to order
If migratory habits in people contribute to
national greatness, so certainly do they con-
tribute to individual poverty this is the mi
ner's weak point, making him a victim to all
kinds of imposition. In this State, now, it is
not what goes into the leather bag that alone
constitutes wealth. Let US strive by degrees
to gather around US the comforts of home,
and cultivate contentment beneath our own
vine and fig tree. B.