The Placer herald., 1873-07-12
MODESTO CORRESPONDENCE.
MoDEsTo, CAL, July z, 1879.

MODESTO, CAL, July 7, 1878.
EDS. HERALDs--
Two years have elapsed since my last commu-
nication; in the interim some important changes
lbave occurred in the San Joaquin Valley The
mon opoy have extended their railroad to
point b, yond Upton, in Tulare County, thus al
fordipg to themselves wider field wherein 10
WELD their corrupting influence. The railroad
leaves visala to the east five miles At that
distance station by the name of Goshen was
established by the Railroad Company, which
was lately moved. This was done because Gosh
en- was in the way of the prosperity Of one OF
their paper cities called Tulare, beyond and
nine miles from visalia, hence all passengers to
yisalia from below will have to travel round the
sharp point OF to arrive at their dc destnatlon'
and in addition they will have to pay an in
crease of fare on the stage of fifty per cent
This is brought about bya company proiessedly
in favor of economy and short routes!
Since the railroad was built marked energy
has characterized the actions of Mobiliers in
at least two counties, Tulare and Stanislaus;
the number of their imported public speakers
has sensibly increased; the courage, too, OF
these decaimers seems to have risen. They
may be fitly compared to the little boy who
quarrels under the protecting shadows OF big
brother
The experience Of the last six years has dem
onstrated the fact that ditch water is essential
to the permanent prosperity Of the people in the
upper San joaquin Valley, and that the same
would greatly enhance the productiveness OF
every part Of il.
There is an irrigating canal forty feet wide
and six feet deep. that starts near Firbsugh's
Ferry and runs down the valley thirty-ei9ht
miles, its cost was eleven cents per cubic yard
Although its location is unfortunate one, by
reason of its being too near the river it demon
stntes the practicability and utility OF canal
on a larger SCALE and one which could be used
in addition for the purpose of navigation. Such
a work is in contemplation: the route for it Is
almady surveyed from Tulate Lake to F. Wy
ruck s; thence down the west side OF the San
joaquin toward Antioch 1t is rumored that
the managers of the proposed canal will endeav
or to obtain u government subsidy before the
work of excavation commences
Political subjects are engaging the attention
of some her etofore Indifferent to public affairs
Official corruption is common thepe. Its ex-
istence is acknowledged by men OF both parties
Hopeful omen! may it lead to reformation
The Democratic nominees for county Offices
in Stanislaus were elected to the position OF can
didates by flattering vote, some OF them beng
chosen without opposition. In the latter num-
Der was Major James Burney, who WAS renomin-
ated for County School Superintendent Such
nomination was but a Just tribute to faithful
public servant.
Modesto, the county seat of Stanisaus Co.,
continues to grow and prosper. According to
the report Of Mr.. Middleton, their last school
census Marshal, it contains eight hundred in
hab tans, including ono hundred and eighty
children, between the age Of five and fifteen
years. 1t is on the line OF the Western Pacific
Railroad, in the region Of country called Para
disc, and thirty miles from Stockton. 1t has
upwards OF dozen stores, several hotels and
livery stables, full compliment Of saloons,
three church buildings, belonging to the follow
ing denominations NJ. L. Church, N. L Church
south, and the egationalist; fourth
'hurch, to be bultsoon, will belong to the de-
nomin.,tion called Christian; has new and
beautiful UoSrt House, which might proudly
stand alongside Of al" other one in the State;
tho cost of the building clone was for'y-hve
thousand dollars. Here Cat Motesto) Is pub
lished the only newspaper in the ccun'.S, 'he
Stanisaus County Ne,rs; it is ably editet by D
D. Spencer, Esq, whose efforts in behalf Of
farmers, deserves special commendation.
Some of my Republican ne'ehhors have been
subscribing to n certain $500 subsidy which is
to help start new paper at Modesto.
The Fourth of July was duly honored here.
Green Curtis was the orat or of the day.
Very truly yours,
Y. L. b.