The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-01-05
The Tendency 70 Generalization.

We learn from the San Francisco Call
that the total assessed value Of the prop.
erty of California for this year is $780,
754, ,201 31-ncarly S11 900, 900 less than
the total for last year. OF this amount
sS8 ,402, 2,278 68 belongs to San Francisco
--or over nine millions more than nine
millions more than half the taxable prop
erty in the remaining portions Of the
State. It will be seen that while the
taxable property of San Francisco il in
creasing the property of the rest of the
state is diminishiug-that the capital Of
the country is concentrating and agri.
cultural and industrial pursuits are Ian
gushing proportionately-the rich are
becoming richer and the poor poorer
Such Is the tendency of the times through
out the country, no more so commercially
than politically--all are verging towards
central. and consequently aristocratic pow
er, by which the few control and reap the
fruits Of the many. The wealth of the
cities IL not productive but accumuIative
not the reward of industry, but the result
of shrcwdness and thrift in turning the
results OF the labor Of others into their
own pockets It Is the country which
makes the cities. The accumulated
wealth Of San Francisco would be dead
capital, the city stagnapt pool OF aggre-
gated useless riches, but for the con-
slant currents of trade extending into the
country, keeping up the vital circulation
by constant repletion.
Do the people Of Oregon, Washington.
Idaho and Montana ever consider how
much they have contributed and are
contributing constantly from the results
OF their own industry to the enormous
wealth accumulated and accumulating ip
San Francisco? The products of Oregon
greatly exceed those Of California;
Nearly all the trade resulting from these
products, together with that OF our con-
tiguous territory, is made tributary to San
Francisco. II is very moderate esti-
mate that one-third of the trade Of San
Francisco, aud its consequent accumnla-
ted wealth is drived from Oregon and the
Territories whose trade passes through
Oregon. Is there any reasop why VIC
should be laid under this Immense con.
tribution of San Franciscof Would il
not be much cheaper, more expeditions
aud great deal more independent, to
market our own products aud import our
own goods direct from the centres Of trade
than to break bulk and re.ship both way.
at San Francisco Freight from New
York or Boston, IIayrc or Liverpool, Ger.
tainly ought not to exceed two dollars q
ton more than to San Francisco Tho
freight from San Francisco to Portland
has heretofore been ten dollars ton, a
difference of eight dollars in transporta
ton besides the charges for repacking and
reshipment. To this is added the profits
of the San Francisco jobber and differ
ence of 20 or % per cent. will be found
ia favor of direct trade with Eastern oI
foreign ports, and this saving would con
tribute very largely TO building up oui
commercial cities aud developing the va.
ried resources of this section Of the coun
try. We have an abundance of undevel
oped wealth IN arabic aud grazing lands
coal, iron, inexhaustbic lumber forests
water power. fisheries. oyster beds. and
nearly every element Of industrial ane
commercial greatness, aud are surrounded
by mines Of the precious metals, furnish
ing never-iailing aud never depreciatins
currency. All that we lack is sclf-rely
ing enterprise to develop these vast re
sources and make Oregon the leadins
commercial power Of the Pacific coast
instead of remaining under provincial
yassaiagc TO San Francisco, for no reason
or corresponding benefit Oregon Her
aid.