San Andreas independent., 1858-09-18
PorULATIoN.-The subject of an in

PoruIATIoN.-The subject of an in
crease OF population-or rather, how to
produce an increase-has long puzzled
the wise heads Of Ualifornia's S wise men,
and reams of foulscap have been covered
with the ideas and suggestions of those
who thought they knew how to produce
the desired result The most popular
idea has been that the most effective mode
OF producing rush to this State is to get
cheap rates of travel To this end we
nave had numberless steamship projects.
on paper, which would futtcr and make \
noise for time, and then burst; we have
foamed and fretted about overland rail
roads; we have voted for a railroad plank
at every election, but have not vet pur-
chased single rail- In short, for four
years we have dealt extensively in popu-
lation and transportation theories, but
have apparently taken pains to steer clear
OF practicalities, and the consequence is
now that our population is but little. if
any greater than it was when we CON-
mencod to build steamships and railroads
with pens and ink. We have never been
OF that number who assumed to believe
that there were countless thousands in the
East who were anxious to reach our shores.
for had there been, Eastern capitalists
would have found some means to trans
port them hither; but we do believe there
are many in the old States who will glad
ly avail themselves of home within our
borders if they can be made to believe
that it will be for their advantage to do
so. 10 convince them of this it is nec-
essary to have something more than cheap
ocean steamship lines or rough wagon
roads across the Plains. In order to in
duce people to come here, we must con-
vince them that they can realize more for
their labor here than they can where they
now live; we must also convince them
that they can obtain as good land here,
and at as cheap rates, as they can pur-
chase in any of the States east of the
Rocky Mountains. In regard to the weld
of labor, there is no better way of en-
tightening those abroad than to publish
full and accurate accounts of the average
yield per acre of the different kinds of
agricultural products, together with the
value of the crop and the cost of produc-
ing the same. Also the cost of raising
live stock, as compared with the cost in
the East, and the value of the same
People abroad can then perceive at a
glance, the inducements offered for immi-
grating here, and will act accordingly
If they see that it will pay, they will
come Observation-Disclosures, they will stay
away. We know of none better calcul;l-
ted to give correct information of this
kind than those who have for the last
three years been so industriously engaged
in getting up The different Fairs, and we
think if some of the Societies will take
hold of the matter, their efforts will be
properly seconded by the public The
comparative profits attending agriculture
labor in this country is matter on which
the people at the East are totally igno
rant, and in this State even, with the ex.
ception of among those engaged in such
employment, but very little is known in
regard to the same In addition to this,
the world needs to be enlightened in re-
gard to the quality, quantity and price of
land within the boundaries of our State.
1t should be known how much land is
not covered by Spanish grants, and also
the price for which Spanish grant land
will be sold. Then again, a large number
of people who occasionally cast their eyes
|
California-ward, would like to know how
mechanical labor will pay here; whether
taking in conjunction with the cost of
living, the rate of wages and the average
amount of employment to be obtained, me-
chanics can make more money here dur
ing one year than they can at the East
Dihfuse extensively information on these
points, and we shall soon witness an in
crease of population to this State. Ifany
of those capable of giving any of the in
formation desired, will furnish us with
the same, we shall be pleased to give it
publicity. AS general thing heretofore
the newspapers, when speaking of the
resources of our State, have been con-
tented to deal in " glittering generalities,"
and have refrained from giving such data
as would serve to convince practical men
that it is to their interest to seek this
country and found their homes here
Morning Call.