The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-12-19

OF all people inc most cXCr8Vag8nC
are the Californians. They not only
spend more absolutely because they
earn more, but they spend more rela-
lively. The great motive of economy
fear of the future-is much weaker
here than elsewhere. A large part of
the population are solitary men, who
think that no matter what pecuniary
loss may overtake them, they can al
ways earn living and soon accumu-
late little money again. Poverty is
not accompanied by the same priva-
tons or the same social discredit here
as in older communities. The Califor-
nian who has conducted himself as q
gentleman knows that many of his old
acquaintances, even if they were not
his friends when he was so prosperous,
will give him aid in his need. It is not
in them to turn their backs; sentiment
and custom require them to be gener-
Gus. The frequency of the great and
sudden changes from poverty to wealth
and from wealth to poverty breeds q
feeling of obligation to one another.
Many unfortunates do not get the bene-
fit of this mutual helpfulness, but others
do, and it influences the general mode
of life.
The tendency of the business of Cali
fornia toward speculation has the effect
of stimulating people to immediate en-
joyment. Before the completion of the
telegraph across the Continent mer-
chandising was full of large risks and
sudden turns. A few weeks might see
a change from scarcity to glut, or
from a glut to a scarcity. There was
no regularity in prices or supplies.
After the opening of the Comstock
lode, the shares were thrown into the
San Francisco market, and by their re-
markable fluctuations, became its most
remarkable feature. The rapid rise
in the city lots and agricultural lands,
under the influence of great additions
to the population, added to the fond
ness for bold pecuniary ventures.
Never did any country offer bats SO
numerous or SO seductive to the gam
bling appetite, which is strong in human
nature, and usually breaks out strongly
wherever it has chance. A govern
ment that does not prohibit lotteries
and gambling games-even those con-
Quoted honestly, as may have been, on
the principle of giving only fifty cents
or seventy-five cents in return for one
dollar-is Justly considered an accom-
plice in the impoverishment of the
people.
The spirit of 40 has not died out.
Many ofthose who were here in the flush
era Of the early placer -mining have not
freed themselves from its influence.
Our local experience has proved that
nothing does so ruin men generally as
a sudden change to high wages. There
never was a more extravaganza, waste
full and dissipated set of men than the
placer miners. They who had been
sober and industrious, and had saved
money when they earned sixteen dol
lars a month, before coming to Califor-
mia, became idle and drunken, and
asved nothing when they earned $500.
They spent as fast as they made their
money. This was not the universal
rule, but the custom was more common
than elsewhere. Poverty is the mother
of economy. The barren soil of Scot
land and New England, and the pitiful
breeding-place for thrift. Wellington
said thai q French army could subsist
in comfort, and Spanish army in
luxury, with supplies on which an En-
glish army would starve.
The evidences of Californian extrav-
Eagance are to be seen on every side.
The dwellings,, furniture, tables and
dress of the people indicate very iber-
al expenditure. San Francisco has the
reputation of buying the most costly
wines. cigars and silks. A saying, not
deserving to be dignified as q proverb,
declares that New York dresses better
than Paris, and San Francisco better
than New York" The magnificent ho-
tells and the palaces Of dozen million
aires are unsurpassed, if equaled, by
anything short OF royalty in the luxury
Of their appointments. There is large
demand for the best that can be had.
California consumes 10000 dozen
nually, and the Atlantic slope,
with fifty times as many PEG
| pie, does not consume seven times
rs much champagne. California uses
sixty pounds of sugar to the person in
q year, the Atlantic slope twenty-five,
Great Britain forty, France and Hol-
land each twenty, and Italy seven.
Coffee is sold to the extent of one
pound each for the inhabitants in
Great Britain and Italy, three in France,
seven in Holland, ten in this State, and
seven in the other States. OF tea, the
average Californian drinks six pounds
in twelvemonth, the other American
two, the Briton four, the Frenchman
and Italian less than quarter of .
pound. The figures for the consump-
ton Of many other articles of comfort
and luxury are incomplete, . large pro-
portion of our imports coming through