The hydraulic press. (North San Juan, Nev. Co., Cal.) 1858-18??, 1858-12-04
INCREASE OF POPULATION.

an increase OF population. This Is the
panacea for al our ills-this is all that
isneeded to make ours the greatest State
in the Union. To read the complaints
and longings and vaccinations of these
philosophers, one would suppose that
this is country whose unparalleled re-
sources are condemned by the world, and
that for their development there must
be some plan contrived which will force
emigration hitherward and fix it here.
What means they would employ to
this end is not SO clearly told, except
that they have an idea that the compile
ton of this or that overland route, or the
establishment of some new steamship
line, will inevitably bring about the ac-
complishment of their wishes.
Now we believe the State is filing up
fast enough. A sudden influx of inn
migration would not be general bene-
fit. 1t might enrich a few merchants
and exalt the Importance of some cities
which aim to be emporiums, But it would
not promote the healthy growth Of the
State at large. The same law governs
emigration which controls other things;
the supply will always be equal to the
demand.
Under the immense propulsion of the
first gold discoveries in California there
was a steady crowding of adventures to
her shores, and this decreased in exact
proportion to the decrease of chances for
the immediate accumulation of wealth.
The working of the mines is now atten-
ded by great outlay Of labor and CAPT
tai. The impoverished stranger cannot
60 anywhere, as formerly, and with pick
pan and shovel at once find remuneratiye
employment. He must first get start
by working for others, and take his
chance of procuring such employment
when it offers. If the newcomer could
be instantly provided with occupation
at good wages, it would not be necessary
to coax people to emigrate. It is sought
to induce anagricultural emigration, and
some really seem to believe that emil
grants in search of farms will pass thro'
the more eligible countries bordering
along the Mississippi to take up land in
California. Only comparatively small
number will do so. No one doubts the
fertility of our soil nor the variety and
richness Of our resources, but it is a
mistake to suppose that these can sup
port an inexperienced population hastily
crowded upon them. The State pub
fishes its own advantages to the world,
and will attract all the population she
needs as fast as she wants it. The in
creased facilities of communication with
the Eastern States will doubtless have
the effect to increase the amount of en-
igration after the present year, but very
large increase would result to the detri-
ment of the newcomers and Of those
already here.
There are plenty of men now in our
midst who cannot find steady employ
ment; let us not add to the number by
spasmodic efforts to swell the sum of our
population. For all who have means
with which to sustain themselves through
the inevitable difficulties attending an
advent into new scenes, California offers
as many inducements as she ever did;
but sudden influx of more needy adj
venturers would lower the standard of
wages and pluck from thousands the
competency which they are now certain
to secure.
The present growth of our adopted
State is gradual and healthy; if not
forced it will continue 50. Instead Of
boring their readers with long articles
on population and wagon roads, and
wearing their own brains by devising
needless expedients for filling up the
State with more idle men, it would be
more sensible for public journals to seek
to improve the condition Of society, to
infuse into their own columns higher
moral tone, and to chronicle faithfully
for the benefit Of our own people the
many advantages which are constantly
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