Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-09-18
Report OF the Board of state viticul-
turai Commissioners.


The second annual report Of Mr. c. A. |
Wetmore, Chief Executive Vitieultural
Officer, is now in the hands Of the State
Printer. The following extract has
been taken from the proof-sbeets to
furnish to the press, In order that there
may be no delay in calling public atten.
ton to the subject natter
THE TREATY WITH MEXICO.
During the spring, while the last ses-
sion of Congress was in session, | was
confined to my home so much by Illness
that failed To observe closely the pend-
ing legislation relating TO the recent
commercial treaty with Mexico. When
/ was informed Of Its provisions con.
cerning the free entry into the United
States Of fruit products | was surprised
that others had not entered their pro-
test against the passage of law to put
II In full operation. At meeting of
yine.growers In Riverside called atten.
ton to the danger threatening both the
citrus and viticultural industries, but
was informed that II was now too late
10 take any action TO defeat the measure
so far as our interests were concerned.
Since then have learned that the bill
to carry the treaty into effect Ia still
pending. There is, therefore, necessity
OF pro npt action In the matter.
II Is my belief that the first duty OF the
Government Is TO sustain and protect the
industries OF this country, and that we
should enter into no treaties with foreign
countries which shall In any way endan'
ger the harmonious operation oil our laws
bv destroying the reciprocal advantages
Of protective tariff. That we should
cordially give our support to national
measures intended to enlarge our oppor.
tunities TO dispose Of surplus products
am fully convinced, but ] hold that the
producing classes OF this country should
never permit the interests Of domestic
commerce To be subordinated in any ro.
spoct to the temporary interests OF those
who are speoulating 10 real estate and
transportation companies IN foreign lands
IL would certainly besuicidal to our pub
lie policy to sacrifice home industry In
the interest Of a comparatively small sur.
plusage Of certain productions. Tho
holders of surplus goods have their rem.
edy under their own control, and need
no legislation that requires any sacrifice
OF public policy.
II is well understood to.be the aim of
the chief promoters Of the commercial
tire ity with Mexico TO advance the In.
terests Of railroad companies and land
spectators, whose possessions are with
in Mexican territory, by stimulating the
colonization and cultivation OF large
tracts Of land, which are not subject to
our national control. IL this can bo
done so as to promote healthful com.
merce without sacrificing our domestic
interests, there can be no objection to
the effort.
With respect to the fruit industries of
this country, one may fairly claim, that
present development in Mexico does not
warrant that country in demanding any
outlet into our markets; and that while
our citizens have with great energy and
intelligence inaugurated aud fully estab-
lished this industry within our own
limits, it would be national folly to
offer special Inducements to foster n
rival in foreign land, where none now
practically exists.
The few spectators in Mexican land
grants contend that they can offer su-
psrior Inducements to capital to engage
in fruit culture, especially in oranges,
lemons, lines, grapes, and raisins The
Mexican government appears TO be dis
posed to encourage the importation OF
cheap Chinese labor, privilege that has
been denied to the fruitgrower of Cali.
fornia, and which his patriotism forbids
him to resent. With servile labor, cheap
land, organized capital. and railroad in
f'nences, the industry OF fruit culture In
Northern Mexico might easily institute
y ruinous rivalry with this State. The
advantage Of distance in transportation
would be in many instances in favor OF
Mexican products. Those who would
profit by II would not be the defend
ers of the American flag, nor support.
ers Of our public treasury.
We have right to demand that our
Government, which protects our people
against ruinous aud competition with
servile and degraded labor at home,
shall not sacrifice us to competition
with the same labor in our foreign com
merce.
II is in the power of Congress to with.
hold action on pending legislation until
the treaty be 50 modified as to protect
the interests of California and other
States and Territories. 1t is of more
importance to the nation to extend fruit
culture, If extended at all, into Arizona
han into Mexico.