New-York tribune., 1874-05-21
CALIFORNIA AS A SOCIAL STUDY.
By Diss GlnaR Prtsdsat Of the University Of California
OakIond Cal


By Dlai.l GlnaR, Prts.dsa Of the Unirr"'y Of California
0aEOnd Cal
During a residence of eighteen months in
California IN the course Of which there has been re-
narkable ate election. session Of the Legislature
and sores OF vehement discussions several matters
Of great public Importance, have been deeply inter
sted IN the opportunities which there afforded Tor
the study OF the various forces which are Struggling TOT
the a,cendency modern society These forces are the
same as are at work other ceners OF population ana
may he studied there well as in San Francisco; Dut
N this community established under very peculiar cir
rumstancc there certain aspects which are partic-
uarly interesting and instructive to the student OF po
tical economy The experience Of the State Will show
many mistakes and failures but IT will also show success
consequent upon enterprise. courage and intelligence
1t will show the results OF mingng men from every
portion Of the globe. II will show the triumph Of good
over evil forces OF industry luck of law over law
essness and last but by least, OF hard money
over paper money. ,
region only isolated but remote from all other
civilized countries san Francisco is almost as far from
New-York as Ncw-Iork : from Liverpool. This region
is diversified IN structure than any other portion
of the Unied States. 1t contains the highest mountain
yet discovered within the national domain, the most
noteworthy mountain chan and Is cut by extraordinary
Chasms ike the Yosemite which are among the wonders
OF the world This diversified is attended by
the most diversified products In the mineral kingdom
is gold silver aud quicksilver. There mineral springs
great medical value. The native woods are adapted
useful purposes. The wonders of vegetation In Cali
fornia have been often described The yield or grain
is the most important. Position, structure and
products have determined for the State the most diver
shd industries lanuiactures are raploly increasing
and it would not be easy TO say which OF the four
branches Of human industry, Agriculture Manufacture
Mining. or Commerce aud Transportation is likely 10
predOmnate. The people diversified, as well as the
products The elements Of Eastern society, Southern
chiyalrv and Northern yOemanry blended. Besides
there the Indians, the Spanish, ana the Chinese
there visible energzing forces There is
the offensive Chinese quarter. the jewish synagogue
eence clubs. chuches and newspapers, all promugatiDg
different ideas in different languages These various
nct than in the East. The newspapers are outspokeu
and personal divisions OF religious belief avOwed; the
demands OF different nationaltes distinctly uttered.
There is lack of regard for past experiments and
buoyancy and vigor to push on.
Tie spirit which prompted California settlements was
and noble spirit OF enthusiasm, selreance. and
The present condition of California society
exhibits great amount OF mental and enterprise.
The peculiar relations OF the harOor n francisco 70
OF the State have bad great influence upon the
development of society. The Golden Gate gives access
magnificent bay, ntO which flow the Sacramento and
San Joaquin. thus giving natural passage TO the great
ascendency not likely to be impaired. We have not
ceased wonder at the which has been made
IN California during the last "a years, IN the establish
ment OF institutions designed to promote the social wei
fare Of h people dhs em GI hd n
The large towns, and has eliminated III state Uniyer
20 co m addition TO the coSt Of the site buildings
apparatus aud many current expenses AN Academy OF
Sciences and four libraries have been established and
literally supported; the State Geological Survey has
furnished maps this diversified region unequaled by
those Of any other State in the country.
benevolent institutions and art associations are
created aud supported by private and public munh-
Churche' especially in San Francisco, are costly
aud eommodious The public buildings are expensive
and unsurpassed elegance by few in the land. All
tins been dene within the last quarter Of century.
There are many indications OF a readiness to deal
boldly with problems which vex and enbarrass the
policy Of States, where precedent, routine, and com
pexity OF relations are governing forces one OF the
remarkable OF the social phenomena In California,
the persistent adherence OF the people, rich
and poor alike TO specie basis while all the rest Of the
country has been trading with paper Even In the dark
Of the gold steady in circulation
1t Europe. The National banks are all goldpay-
H.nE Efg ngF- flgnG a ia
reived specie 9nd paper the value California is
rapidly becoming the center OF bullion operations Tor
the world. The example Of California IN adherng To
specie while governed by the laws every
other part Union worthy OF consideration IL
resisted paper currcDcy though In captious spirit
consequence mas been that in or the pancs
the East has California had any share Another re-
narkabc example OF local independence was shown In
the adoption OF state CODE which has been pronounced
be remarkably suceessfu-to enDody IN one con
nected whole, the principles Of law established IN this
State.
will he that OF Chinese immigration. Its solution
Will require wisdom phanthrophy and very broad
view Of tho destiny OF humanity
California one OF the earliest States to naugurate
hostility toward the predominant iutuence OF railroad
corporations and monOpOles The readiness OF the
voters TO abandon old party lines and declare them
selves distinctly new and local issue was clearly
exhibited. Erroneous impressions have prevailed at
the East respecting the condition OF California society
This has injured the State in two ways. The sta
bity of investments questioned and capital
slowly III the lessons OF history or
any value II the experience since 1919 has any sgnf
cance it is certain that State Is here TO flourish
unique organization, composite IN ITS Institutions pro
pressive in Its tendencies Here the best forms OF
Christian culture and civilization are TO be In the ascend
education TO be widely dfused ana the favorable
sky aud soil TO reRder the physical conditions Of
life enjoyable to immense population, who will 1nd
easy 10 secure subsistence, easy TO cultivate their
mental aud moral natures, and easy lay by
thing for sickness and old age