Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-25
coMmuNrrY CO OPERATION.

advantages. Many instances of success
have occurred in which very ordinary adj
vantages were made to produce the
greatest effect, through the hearty and
intelligent cooperation of the community.
The most magnificent natural resources
have failed to induce high state of civil
ization and prosperity in Mexico. In
New England, on the other hand, the in
domitable industry and determination OF
Anglo.Saxons wrested success from the
most unpromising materials. Economy OF
force and directness of purpose are always
gained by harmonious and concentrated
action. There is no community SO poor
or so badly situated that it cannot by
concerted and persistent action improve It's
condition, and there is no situation so
naturally advantageous as to be capable OF
overcoming the paralyzing effects OF COM
munity digcord and Incidence. 1t has
for years been a common complaint IN
California that this State did not receive
its fair share of settlement. Many Cali
fornia towns have in like manner sat still
and grumbled because their growth was
slow and feeble But the truth is that
California has grown Just as fast as she
deserved to grow, and has experienced
returns of settlement precisely equal
to the force she expended in attracting
immigration.
If we desire to learn how States can be
built up by their own people, we have only
to look at Kansas. There a system of
State immigration has been established.
The whole people have united to induce
settlement. They have gone into the
work as into business. They have
spent money upon it. They have sent
out agents all over Europe. They have
so perfected all their arrangements that
to-day n man living in any part Of Europe
may bay Kansas lands, step on to train
or boat, and with one set Of tickets make
his way direct to the farm he has pur-
chased, without doubt, danger or diff
entity. The consequence is that Kansas
has grown faster than any other State in
the Union, and has prospered more. Cali.
fornia could have done the same, but her
people have always lacked the co. operative
instinct and so whenever State scheme
of immigration was proposed, it was vio-
lently attacked and denounced as some
kind of a plan for promoting private in
terests. In fact our people have been so
dreadfully afraid of doing any good to one
another indirectly that they have ended
by abandoning all concerted action, and
for several years have been jealousy
watching ore another, and looking for
opportunities to thwart their neighbors'
plans.
We have besides during all this time
been so engaged in fouling our own nest
that we have at last succeeded in giving
the State bad reputation abroad. The
cry of land monopoly, which, though hav-
ing basis in fact, was always very
greatly exaggerated, has deferred settle
ment incidentally. The fierce factional
combats in which our producers and mid
dlemen and consumers and transportation
agents have been engaged nearly all the
time, have produced the impression abroad
that we were a disorganized and ararchic
community, Had we possessed leaders
capable of uniting the people upon plans
of general benefit, and possessed of the
necessary courage and frmness to face
down the carping and slanderous ten
denotes which have hitherto discouraged
and defeated every attempt in this direc-
ton, we might have had half million
more people here to, day than we have. 1t
is the same with many of our towns
They do not grow fast, because they lack
the spirit OF corporate enterprise. The
familiar and stupid apprehension lest some
body should benefit by public expendi.
lures prevents them from being made.
1t requires boldness and foresight to do the
things which bring large results, and these
qualities never go with the narrow jealousy
referred to.
Sacramento is in a position to produce
considerable results by the adoption of such
policy as we are discussing. She ought
to make the State Fair exhibition every
year a question of corporate enterprise,
apart from what the State does. She
ought to put money, and time, and care
upon it, as solid business enterprise. See
how New Orleans, and Memphis, and St.
Louis have helped themselves with their
annual Mardi Gras festivals. The people
OF those cities unite to make these celebra-
tons SO attractive that they bring fifty,
seventy-fve, a hundred thousand people to
the spot every year, and these visitors
spend millions. This is really jndicioua ad-
vertising, and it pays lnfallibly, as judi
cious advertising always will. Cities and
States desiring growth and increased bust
ness and population must hold out induce
ments This is an age OF sharp competi-
ton, and the weakest and most INDECENT
go to the wall.
tive spirit. She wants creditable thea
ter, inviting places of resort in her drives,
constant attention to the many little things
which make all the difference between
dull and an attractive city. She ought to
begin now to prepare for her Fourth of
July celebration, if she means to have one,
and she ought to make up her mind to do
well whatever she undertakes. There is
nothing so costly as false economy in these
matters. They are all in the direct line
of advertising, and they must be done
handsomely, or they had better be left I'm.
done. The adoption of a consistent and
liberal programme, by the State and by It's
municipalities, is what is required now.
We have rested on our oars too long. We
have relied too much upon natural advan-
tages. Ii We expect to keep pace with
such States as Kansas We must now put