Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-03-01
CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENCE.
MARYsvILLE, CAL. January l7th,

MARYsvILLE, CAL. January l7th, 1860.
FRIEND MArTrScLY:-Since my arrival in Cali
fornia have received number ofletters from res
idents of Plymouth, some of whom are strangers
to me, inquiring Of me the chances there are for
laborng men in California, and if there are sufi
cient inducements for man to emigrate to this
country. As it would take me some time to answer
all such correspondents b5 letter, will, ifyou will
permit, answer them all at once through the col
umns of the RErUBLIcAS. In the first place, labor
in this country is far different from labor in the cas-.
tern and western States. The principal labor in
this country is mining, OF which man has no idea
until he has worked at it. For this class of labor
the highest wages paid at present forty dollars
month and board. A man often looses his wages
in the mines, especially when claim does not prove
good and does not pay, and about out of 10 prove
to be of that class. For labor ON the ranches the
wages at present not to exceed thirty dollars in
any part Of the State, so far as can learn. OF this
class of employment there is but little to be had,
as ranch men usually do their own work, having
more Summer, or good working weather, to do it
in than you have in the States Mechanics are
as well represented here as in any other State in
the Union. This class OF laboring usually
work by the day and board themselves; the wages
usually received are rs folows Mlers, 81 per day;
Bakers, S3@3 so; BIacksmiths, $3@4; wagon ma
kers and Foundry men the same; Painters, s5 500
6 90; Printers, s6@l0; Masons, 50 50@4; watch
makers can do full as we'll in the States. The most
money is made in this country isby miners taking
up claims and selling them to others. Men
who have capital enough to work mines on a large
scale, or to build ditch, make as much money
as they want if they manage properly.
Two railroads are building here. One from this
place to Vallejo. on the bay, to connect with the
San Francisco boats, which will be completed in
the coming summer. The other is from Folsom to
this city, and is an extension Of the California Gen.
trail Railroad. These roads employ considerable
number Of men, and the price paid is twenty six dol
lars month and board. This will only last, how
ever, for the present season.
| There are more idle men here than in any coun-
try ever was in before. Many of them would not
work at any price whatever. My advice to all those
who are doing well at home is to stay there, for
there are hard times in California as well as in any
other State. i did not risk in coming here,
as many do. Ny situation was engaged previous
to my leaving the States. Had it not been so I
think, ere this, I shonld have been back.
Asto general news there is very little to write
Our new Governor, Latham, has been elected L.
S. Senator, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
death of ID. c Broderck. The election was uncx-
pected, as Weller, the Ex-Governor, was the most
prominent candidate. The day after his inaugural
Latham was elected, and the Lieut.. Governor, Mr..
Downey, has been duly installed as. Governor OF
California. II is thought that Mr.. Latham will
prove to be one of the best Senators sent from
this State. The Steamer Northener, running be-
tween San Francisco and Washington, Was wreck cd
near Port Mendocino. All the ladies were saved
but one. Forty lives were lost. have not seen q
full list of the missing BY the Steamer of the 10Th
| will send you the Union, which will contain all
the news of the past two weeks. The President
Message has arrived. 1t left st. Louis on the 29tl
of Dec. and arrived here on the 18th Of JAM, after
days travel land, which is considered quick
trip Our friend, A. X. Briggs, is stopping in thi.
city yet and is in good health.
Hoping this viii find you all well, remain
Yours, &C., T. IS.