The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A Defense of Southern California.

Defense of Southern California.
TO the Editor of the Indianapolis journal
have had it in mind write you letter
containing account of this psrt OF the
world for some time not one of those who
came to California expecting 70 make a fortune,
nor for psrmanent residence. Indianapolis Is
quite as satisfactory to me any place have
seen, and evidence of my interest.
will mention that have the Daily Journal and
other papers sent to me regularly. I would like
to say that receive them regularly, but that
would indicate that the postofice was well
managed. How it is managed may be inferred
from the fact that after getting no papers for
week, those for FIVE days were delivered all at
once yesterday. I have noticed with some
amusement the disgruntled tone of some of the
expressions concerning things here which have
been given place In your columns. This feeling
was mingled with something like indignation,
upon reading the attack by W. It. Marcy,
upon W. S. Hubbard. AMr. Hubbard's honesty
and veracity need no defense. and he las been
successful enough not to have his intelligence
called in question.
There are many defects here. of which
incident to comparatively unfinished state
of affairs There first-class public hotel
in Los Angeles in operation. although some are
building. Some private hotels are very good.
unsatisf actory at first. / did not get suited FOR
about month. But all that is largely because
present hotel accommodations overtaxed and
the men engaged in the business don't seem to
whether their guests properly fed or
not. They evidently go little expense as
possible. In other words. they intend to make
hay while the shines Ali this is
reason for wholesale denuncation of the whole
country. Hotels not everything and ii
they were Santa Barbara, Pasadena, River
side, Pomona. San Diego and doubt not other
places furnish good accommodations.
l have been in the State about three months,
over two of which have been spent in southern
California, mot Lower California, that belongs.
to Mexico land have not seen, [ think, over SIX
foggy days. For some time before the first
rains it was very dusty. and that is precisely
what everybody who lives here tells you to ex-
pect- It is, they say, the hottest dryest aud
most dsagreeabe season of the year. l cam
early purpose to sees things at their worst.
They are better now, and expect to stay long
enough to see them at their best Then | am
coming home, satisfied at having seen the coun-
try, and with my rest from business, ready to do
my best to help boom" Indianapois-one of
the best cities on the continent to day in my.
opinlon-or at least to settle down to WORK
after my usual custom.
have visited nearly all parts of southern
California, from Santa Barbara to National
City. and find that business. generally speak
ing is good. The business of spelling good land
by setting out white stakes-"Stako blanco
Californiensis,' San Jacnto genius called
them-is one that cannot be rsprobated in too
strong terms and the Californau-the genuine
ARTICLES quite as sound on that question any-
one. The kansas boomers" and men of that.
ilk, who are a curse to any country. of course
stop at nothing That many of their
schemes have been successful is due to the here
tofore undeveloped condition of the country,
and the great immigration. The time is past
l think whom such schemes likely to largely
succeed. There are places where new towns
will yet be successfully planted. but rule
there will have to be some more substantial
reason for their existence than fboom" and
climate" Good properly still be bought
at a price to make 1T fair investment, but the
wildcat stuff will have to drop.
The country is in many respects charming
one. and will always have It's attractions. but Il
see reason for anybody to leave the East
unless their health demands the change. Some
men may make fortunes here yet, and some
will anywhere. l have no doubt that any legltl-
mate business, adapted to the needs of the To-
cality, could in proper hands, be successful
in Southern California anywhere. The eA-
ceptionS here elsewhere only prove the rule
1t is nonsense for anyone TO say that tie
country is not productive No more fertile SO
can be found. / have seen the best crops here
that ever saw anywhere, and of nearly every
thing commonly grown, we'll many things
peculiar to this climate Fruits and alfalfa e.
species OF clover) profta0fs Jadl
ordinary vegetables and more largely
raised. 1t is also true that too few of the peo-
pie are engaged in agricultural pursuits, but
after the country gets settled down to bust
ness" all these things will correct themselves.
The greatest feature of my trip has been the
opportunity to the magnificent views.
Mountain scenery is to me inexpresSiblv grand,
and California is favored with some of the finest
earth. The Yosemite valley, is we'll
known that any description could give would
not probably be of much interest, but a mention
of it is sufficient explanation of why
than satisfied with having made the journey
In closing let me change my subject and say
"Hurrah for the Republicans of Indiana" Their
magnificent preliminary work is attracting.
it deserves, widespread attention, and viii
doubtless lead to important results.
C. BRADFORD
Los ANGELES. Cal, Jan. g. 1888.