The Shasta courier., 1869-10-09
SHASTA COU URIE Err.
VALLEJO AND NORTHERN CALI
FORNIA.

We solicit the editors and Public men
of Northern California to keep the fact
before the people, that Vallejo is the lead
ing seaport, the largest town, the natural
railroad terminus, and the site possessing
the greatest resources for city growth and
commercial and manufacturing business in
the Third Congressional District Its nat
ural advantages, however. are not enough
Of themselves to give it the development OF
which it is capable. 1t requires the pro-
lection Of the law; it will profit by the
favor of public opinion. 1t will make a
fair return for all proper protection and
favor 1t will contribute much to the
wealth of this district, and it will give for
tunes to many individuals who invest their
money here judiciously. 1t has begun its
career by comforting favors. The railroads
OF Vallejo now occupy an important position
in the trade Of the State, and they are ex-
tending rapidly, stretching out towards all
the valleys that lie north of San Pablo Bay
between the Pacific aud the Sierra. Be
fore one is finished another is commenced,
ard the speed of the work increases as time
edvances. Sacramento, Marysville, Oro-
vile, Chico, Shasta, Clear Lake. Napa,
Sonona, Russian Valley, Bodego, Peta
luna, all are to have their main channels
of trafic centering at our wharves.
The Northern District of California has
heretofore suffered much by distance from
the market The San Pablo Valleys sent
their produce to San Francisco in small
steamers or sloops, which, on account OF
their small size, had to charge high prices
Butte, COluso, Tehapla and Shasta could
derive little benefit from the fertility Of
their soil because the fraights on their
wheat, wool, wine and fruit left little margin
for profit. The farmers were impoverished
the steamboat men were enriched. And
therefore it was, that until the consdera-
alton of the Vallejo railroads was com
menced, there was little progress in the
population and wealth Of the district which
has an area of about $1,000 square miles,
and only l20, 900 inhabitants or three to
the mile. In Italy, which is not richer in
nutural resources, there are forty times as
many to the mile. There is chance here
for great development, and it will come,
and owe much to the assistance and stmu-
lous given by Vallejo Land in Solano
Napa, Sonoma and olo Counties has risen
considerably in value. and several thirty
towns have been built up under the n
iuence OF our railroads, and in few years
more, Mendocino, Humboldt, Colusa, Te-
hama, Shasta, Butte aud Flumas viii feel
similar benefits.
In return, we ask their cooperation and
friendly aid. Their papers should assist
to make the resources OF Vallejo known;
their Representatives in the Legislature
should prevent the passage of any ws to
strengthen monopolies hostile to u.s. If we
can but get juitice and equal rights we
shall prosper; but inimical corporations
have spent public money to divert trade
from our port, and they may apply for
more. We protest beforehand against any
further gifts Of State funds to be employed
in that manner. If Congress and the State
Legislature will show no partial favor to
our enemies, Vallejo will not complain
We have no fear of the result of the contest
in which the Central Pacific Railroad has
engaged our town caunot fail to be COM
pleteiy victorious but we should prefer
that no additional unfair advantages be
given to our enemies.
We have said that Vallejo is the largest
town in the District. At the last election
San Francisco cast 2l ,64S; Sacramento,
B, ,l34 San Jose. 1,552; Los Angeles,
l,25l Stockton, 1,2U9; Grass Valley,
Lilo; and Vellejo, 1,lU9. Ofthese towns,
only the two last are in the Northern Con
gresslonal District, and Grass Valley,
though it cast one more vote than Vallejo,
has smaller population, no resources save
It's mines, no railroads, no facilities for
commerce or manufactures, no prospect Of
large future growth. Nevada cast S26
votes, Marysville S23, and Petaluma city
proper 43S, though by adding to it the
vote OF two adjoining townships, total of
1lS is obtained. The proportion of voters
who stayed at home was larger here than
in any other town of the State, because
many OF the men employed at Mare Island
did not want to vote the Republican ticket,
and feared they might lose their places if
they voted for Democrats There are
], ,46l names registered in the precinct,
and fully that number of legal voters here,
showing that 352 voters did not 90 to the
polls. The population is increasing rapidly
Three hundred houses have been built
here this year, and there is not an unoc-
cupled building in or near the town. The
new houses of 1870 will outnumber those
of 1869. The elevator, the big -four MILL
the planning min, the foundry, the enlarge
ment of the railroad machine shops, the
increase of travel and freight will demand
nearly twice as many people as We have
now, to do their work next year. Vallejo
must be an important city, and the main
centre of business for all the Northern part
OF the State and its growth will contribute
to the wealth and prosperity Of every town
and county III the district Vallejo Re
corder