Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-10
STATE DIVISION.

The sentiment in favor of division of the
State is becoming more pronounced each day
with the realization that the southern counties
are the recipients of an unprecedented growth
and tidal wave of prosperity, necessltatlng
new and improved management OF their in
ternal affairs.
So says the Los Angeles Express. And it
then proceeds to argue at length and
learnedly on the progress of development
in the south counties, their population,
climatic advantages, production, and so on
through the usual glowing chapter. All
which is true enough, and none rejoice
more that it IS true than the people of
central and northern counties. But why
all these things must be supplemented by
new political burdens is not shown. Not
a word is advanced to illustrate how pro
duction viii be augmented, prosperity en-
HANGED, economy conserved, or society
improved by the erection of the southern
counties of California into State. The
people OF the counties not included in the
roster of the Express new State have
perhaps, word to say on this question.
Perhaps they are interested in being
saddled with the whole expense of
State administration, even if our neighbors
south deem that too trihing a matter to be
mentioned. Aside from the single fact of the
considerable distance of Los Angeles from
the capital there is not another worthy
consideration that is TO be advanced in
favor of division, except the altogether
invulnerable and armor proof one, that a
new State will slake the thirst Of some
scores of place hunters, who fairly
ache TO serve the dear people at good fat
salaries. The truth is, that no suffi-
cient economic or political reasons
can be advanced for division of
the State 1t all settles down in the
end to division of the spoils and State
patronage, and the location Of State insti-
tutions A section that needs State aid Of
this character very badly certainly is lack
ing in the essentials of permanency, an
idea regarding southern California we
would not for moment entertain. State
institutions do not make a city or town, or
bolster county otherwise worth anything.
Political favor and patronage cut but small
figures in the true growth of people. If
southern California is not set off as State
it viii grow precisely as fast, progress ex
aetly as it deserves, be commercially Just
as prosperous, and her people just as virtu
GUS happy and contented. Statehood has
very little to do with the development and
general advancement of any section. 1t
would be but the minimum of influence in
the case in hand The State is terrific
rally very large, it is true; that the cap
ital is long way" from San Diego and
Los Angeles on the south is also true, as
too it is from Humboldt and Siskiyou on
the north. The counties first named have
the advantage, however OF rapid rail
transit to the capital and to the CONNER
cial metropolis, and 10 that center business
interests viii look, regardless of the d.
vision of our territory into two three
or four States. Let cur southern people
expend their breath on more profitable
subjects. When California has four or FIVE
millions of people it will be time enough
to debate the question OF breaking the
back of the State like that OF shrimp,
that politicians may divide the kernel