Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-05-21
OUR CALIFORNIA LETTER.

and receiving word awhile ago that that
part was on the way TO join me, speedi-
ly dropped down to San Francisco to re-
ceIYe it, and at midnight of March 22d,
my little family, with Mrs. S9and chill
dren, arrived safely in this salubrious
cline, glad to escape the cold and frosts
of the shivering winter you have just
passed through. The next morning, for
contrast" took them a stroll through
the California market, and revealed TO
their eyes green peas, new potatoes, Gu
cumbers, radishes and other vegetables,
which would be a rarity to you. even by
the 4th of July. California shows its
bright side to the emigrant who comes
here in midwinter, for a sudden transpOr-
tation from snow and ice to sp ring Ver-
dure, causes many warm enconiums about
our climate. 1 read and hear that you
have just passed through auoth er uncom-
monty severe winter. Taking your own
experience as guide, you can hardly
credit me with the truth, when te II you
l have not seen fake of snow since be-
ing here. It is these terrible cold winters
that IS causing such an emigrs ton to this
genial coast 1t is surprising to see the
amount of people that are fiocking here
during the last sixty days no less than
1900 having arrived. The press are al
ready alarmed about this rapid inf ux of
population and are asking, "What is to
be done with these people ?" Circulars
are sent adrifl over the State, stating the
condition of affairs, and urging the peo-
pie to report how many can be accommo-
dated with labor and homes in their re-
spective localities or counties. False in
ducements have been held out, inviting
emigration, and now when they are pour
ing in upon US, the cry is, "What shall
we do with them ?" California is ov er-
estimated and over -peopled. The climate
is all we claim for it but one cannot live
on pure air alone. 1t is estim ated tn at
only one acre in each hundred of our
State is susceptible of cultivation, and
when people come here thinking this is
the place for cheap farms, they are mis-
taken. Rich land-holders own vast
tracts of the best farming lands, and
nothing short of a fortune will induce
them to make a division. Government
lands that are not yet taken up, are situ-
ated on rough mountains, or in by places
and may be valuable at some future lime,
as timber or grazing lands. 1t seem to
me that the south or central west offer
better inducements for actual settlers than
California broad and fertile acres are
found there, which are not to be found in
this State. Our cities are filed with un-
employed people and hundreds are tramp
ing about the country, seeking labor.
Emigration must cease or suffering and
want will surely come Still, there is the
greatest activity In all branches of trade !;
business Is at its height, tradesmen are
prosperous but the labor market is over
crowded-the supply is far in excess of
the demand. This tide of emigration
must cease, or again how back and to
those intending trip to California, other
than pleasure one, let me advis them,
for the present, not 70 come.
In stFolling ABOUT strange city, where
each face seems an unfamiliar one, it is
wonderful how one will occasionally
meet an old friend. 1t was by accid ent I
met W. s. Read, who was formerly with
Hendry s. King, in Ashtabula. We stared
at each other, passed, turned around and
gazed again then each involuntarily
came to the other, and the recogn ition
was certain. He is welded to this coast,
is living In Alameda-aeross the bay, and
is doing business on Bush street, in San
Francisco. where his energy and gentle
manly qualities are reaping for him sue
cess. also had pleasant talk with
Henry Griswold, an old Ashtabulaite. 1
being lately nom your growing city, en-
lIghtened his mind as to your present and
future importance and prospects Henry
Culver was also IN the city, but it was
not my fortune to see him.
San Francisco seems so unlike other
cities TO me, thai never tire in roaming
about it; 1t Is composed oFsO many diff
ferent nationalities that stranger seems
transported to many foreign n countries at
the same time. The Italians are numer
ours and compose an important part Of
the population. They are mostly engag-
ed in fishing, and it is through their en-
deavors, principally, that the city is sup
piled with It's varieties of fish. Another
class of them are engaged in gardening
at different points near the city. They
have their market-place and on market
days. they keep the city supplied with
every variety of vegetable.
But the most interesting part of the
city, perhaps, is the Chinese quarters.
They have got possession of the most
central part; their boundaries extend
from KeMney to Stockton streets. with
side limits of Pacific and California ST.,
being an oblong of two blocks one way
by six another. This area is populated
almost wholly by Chinese with Others
scattered about the city, wherever an
empty cellar or garret is to be had, there
are about SIX to the square foot, measur-
ing from height to depth. These old
rookeries fairly swarm with Celestials. 1t
is interesting 10 go through their streets
and watch their movements, and manner
OF doing business. They have their own
shops and branches of trade, and are
jealous to patronize each other. Most
they eat and wear comes from their moth
er country. Their markets are supplied
with couglomeration of dried fish and
herbs, prepared "a la Chinee." Pork Is
their principal meat, and they 20 the
whole hog-nothing being thrown away.
To prepare hog for market, the inwards
are taken out, and the balance of the hog
Is roasted until It Is of soorched appear
ance, then hung up by the nose and sliced