Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-11-06
CaIifornia,s progress.

On the ninth day of September, 1850. only
tbity-six years ago, California was re-
ceiyed into the family of States whlch.com
pose the great American Republic. Had
any one at that time predicted, the marvel
GUS growth and progress of the young State
garded us a visionary if not luuatic. But
little more than third OF a century has
pas ed away, since tire discovery of gold in
California, being proclaimed 10 the world,
an immigration almost Unprecedented in
the annals of history. From every portion
OF the world they came induced by one all
absorbing idea. the greed OF gold. The
thoughtof establishing homes in Califor-
MIA and building upon the shores Of the
Pacific great and powerful state,
never occurred to the most enthusi-
astic of the Argonauts of "forty-nine.
Their sole idea was, to reap as quickly as
possible the golden harvest and return to
enjoy the fruits of their labor with. the
loved ones in the old home, hallowed by all
the endearfng associations of childhood
and youth. Many, alasi who left their
homes with bright anticipations of the fu-
ture, were never heard of in those homes
again. The deadly fevers of the Isthmus,
the hardships and privations Of the tedious
journey across toe plains, the discomforts
snd exposure of the passage around the
stormy Cape, and the unwonted toll and
dangers OF mining experience, cut the
thread OF existence of many an ambitious
pioneer, the hearts of whose friends grew
SICK vita hope deferred, vainly waiting for
tidings that never came of the loved one
upon whom their hopes rested. When
we consider that during her comparative
ly brief existence as State, California
has gained population of one million
and has acquired material wealth amount.
Ing to some seven hundred millions of dol
lars; when we contemplate her vast and
constantly increasing agricultural, horti-
cultural, viticultural, mining and manufac-
turing interests, hes cities, towns and viii
lagos. sprung up, in many instances, from
the desert waste as if touched by the wand
OF the genius OF progress; her vast railroad
system. constantly sending forth its branches
ana giving transportation facilities to oevery
section of the State; her graId. pablic school
system, her col eges and universities, her
churches and public libraries, we may well
marvel at the degree of DEVELOPMENT to
whieh she has attained. Notwithstanding
the giant strides already made in the path
and prosperity in California have as yet
been scarcely tapped, and her development
is yet in its infancy. The era OF
placer mining is past, and to prose
cute mining successfully at the present
time requires capital and scientific knowl-
edge Many of the old mines ops ned in the
''go as you please" period and abandoned
as Improbable. are now being re-opened
and systematically worked with profit to
their owners. New discoveries OF rich
mineral deposits are constantly being
made, and these tend to prove that the
mineral resources Of the Stare have as yet
been scarcely broached. California's great
need is an accession of desirable popula-
tion. With an areas three times greater
than that of Italy, we have not one-thirtieth
of her population. With resources far
more abundant and valuable; climate
unsurpassed for equability and salubrity.
soil the most fertile in the world; there is
no reason why California should not sup.
port population much larger than that Of
Italy, yet that country supports thirty where
we provide for one.
One great drawback to the more rapid set
tlentent OF California has been the aggrega-
tion of large tracts of land in few hands,
The vast grain ranches, covering thousands
OF acres each, and the equally extensive
cattle ranges, have deferred small fsrmers
from seeking homes in this State. But this
evil Is being rapidly remedied. as the large
land holders have come to recognize the
only portion of which they can utilize,
and by refusing to sell Subdivisions thereof
the progress of the State is retarded. There
will be no limit to the possibilities of Cali
fornia In the line of production, when these
great ranches are divided into small farms
and disposed OF to industrious settlers.
Prosperous homes, orcnards and vine
yards Will Increase and multiply, and in
sections hitherto considered barren and
waste, will spring up cheerful farm-houses
and handsome villas, ling in the midst
OF foliage, fruit and bloom. With this ac-
cession of an industrious, thrifty popula-
mand for all the necessaries and luxuries of
lie, giving an impetus to every branch of
Industry end creating new ones, as yet un-
thought of.