Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-22

The question as to whether all these c-r.o. ,;soo,
cries OF science and mechanical inventions nv, With
the productive elpacity Of men is Increased a, A
manual labor saved tend to disturb the nnore aor,,
distribution Of wealth, and increase tho dis,r, .,
condition between the rich and the poor Is one that
| has engaged the attention of the most nro,ou,d
thinkers and employed the pens Of the ables,
writer's of modern times. do not propose to enter
the arena of discussion with these learned men.
either to dispute or agree with their
conclusions. l do, however, beg your in
dugence while l present few obvious
considerations bearing upon the general subject Of
the effect of all progress in labor saving discoveries
and machinery. Labor is the chief factor IN the
production OF wealth. Wealth. then, as the product
of labor, must become easily attanabls in pro-
portion as the facilities for its creation increases
The harvesting machinery and the more scientific
methods of agriculture may diminish the demand
for labor in the production of bread but the cost OF
bread will be correspondingly diminished. The
wants Of civilized men multiply and increase
with the possibilities CT supplying them,
and rise higher the problem OF supplying the more
primitive wants reaches satisfactory solution
| The demand for labor TO supply the higher com.
forts, and the intellectual wants OF life in.
in exact proportion as the demand for labor
to supply the physical want diminshes. The list
of occupations increases with every new census
New industries and new arts constantly being
added to the profitable occupation OF industry
These new occupations relate TO the higher tastes
and aspir ,tions mankind is elevated from lower
to higher planes OF civilized want
NEw LINE OF TRANSPORTATION.
The close identity between the interests Of pro-
duction aud transportation iustifes reference
| to the approaching conls-tion OF the Southern
Pacific Railroad. have already alluded TO the prob
lem OF transportation as leading factor in the
profitable production of staples. The compile
ton of the Southern Pacific Railroad will have an
important bearing upon all the leading industries
OF this State. When the great wheat growing valleys
OF California connected with New Orleans by rail
over the level grades of the southern route the
commercial lines to the final market for our wheat
will be shortened by 10000 miles. We will then
have constantly operative of transporta-
ton at what have reason to hope and believe will
be reduced rates The average inland tonnage our
grar now is about So so per ton. The average ocean
tonnage Liverpool about Sl3 per ton, aggregatng
sl6 so per ton from the station landing to the
ultimate market. BY the Southern Pacific Railroad
the pro rata Of to rail transportation viii be
reversed. The tonnage rate from New Or
leans to Liverpool will not exceed IS per ton. Thus
leaving s1l so per ton the pro rata to rail trans
portaton, and without increasing the aggregate
rate If expectation in this direction is well founded,
the wheat product of California will possess higher
advantages in the market than hitherto enjoyed.
The completion Of this southern route will intro.
,lo ~
the long voyage around Cape Horn. 1t will also
enable the shipper to receive quicker returns. Its
further advantages will be found in the opening of
markets for the orchard and dairy products of south
ern California and it is within the range of possi
bties ship green fruit and fresh beef to the Eng
lish market by that r.ute At this time fresh beef
is shipped from points on the Missouri and Missis-
sipp rivers by way of New Orleans to England, and
the time from Sacramento by rail to the Crescent
City is shorter than the time from Kansas City to
the same iIoint by water.
WELCOME TO THE PRESIDENT.
For the first time in the history of this Society
our annual exhibition is honored by the presence
Of the Chief Magistrate Of the nation. As pioneer
looking back to the early isolation of this State
this event has more significance than it can have
for those whose residence in California dates since
the Of transcontinenta railroads. It impresses
upon my mind most forcible realization of the
wonderful changes few years have wrought in the
means of communication. From the capital of this
great Republic, on the opposite shore of this
mighty continent, the President of the nation
as visitor to spend few days with US, and then
to return TO the seat of government having enjoyed
hnt brief vacation from the full burden of official
duty. None but pioneer know how
grateful is the task of extending TO him welcome
among us, for none but pioneer can so well feel
that by his presence here realize anew the near
this land of love and adoption to the homes
OF early and hallowed associations His Exceen-
cy will realize continent broad in extent
that still lingering in the consciousness of those
who made its transit by OK teams. He will scarcely
comprehend the vastness of mountain ranges exist
ing in the geography of those only who toed on
foot up their wearisome slopes But it will be
borne in upon our people by his coming here that
all parts of our beloved country being brought
closer and closer together by the discoveries of
science the triumphs of skill and the energies of
our civilization. These combined have aunihilated
time and space, until no part of our common coun-
try is distant portion of people neglected or
forgotten In honoring the President of this nation
we do homage to the dignity and majesty of the
people. On behalf of the State Board of Agricult.
and the members of the State Agricultural
Society, l extend sincere welcome to the Presi-
dent of the United States to this annual exhibition
And finally let us remember the labors of the past
year only in the light of the blessings honest toll
confers. We sowed the seed in hope and trust
we have gnrnered bountiful harvest with earnest
gratitude. From the path OF every industry we
have come, bringing the fruits of our toll, the
skill of our hands, the inventions of our
genius, the inspiration of minds. All
are trophies of that peace and prosper
ty which rests like a benediction upon our
loved California and honored nation, and not
unmindful of that devou; gratitude due 10 the
bountiful Giver of all good, l now declare the
twentyseventh exhibition OF the State Agricultural
Society of the State of California duly open.