Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-03-05
HOW TO INDUCE IMMIGRATION TO
CALIFORNIA.

The Committee on Publication of the
State Board of Trade in its recent admir-
able report through Mr.. w. II. Mills
and which in pamphlet form has just been
issued-makes use of this expression, the
fitness, force and strength of which is en-
phasized by the history of western devel-
opment The committee say:
The characteristic of American settlement
and civilization has existed nearly two CEN
turtles. Capital invades unoccupied territories
far in advance of their occupation constructs
instrumentalities of transportation. ACQUIRES
waterTights, lays the foundation of cities Sc
cures to itself franchises, and Immediately bids
for immigration as the most rapid means of set
tlement. in anticipating the coming of popula
ton capital is rarely disappointed, and in the
development which ensues vast values are ere
ated. 1t may be said, then, that there are vast
sums OF money interested in the movements of
population Where property values are to be
created by the coming of such an immigration.
money Will necessarily be expended in induc-
ing It, and the most popular method of Undue
ing immigration is by the distribution of printed
matter, representing in the most attractive col
orlng the natural resources of the country To
which they relate, and the general desirability
OF those countries as places of permanent resi-
dence All these things have conferred upon
the westward movements of populations no.
madic appearance, but this appearance is en-
overflow of population from the most populons
portions OF our country into its more sparsely
settled regions. This movement of population,
which has attended the entire history of the
settlement of America, is not the result of mi
gratory habit nomadic instinct 1t is CON
trohed and directed by sober judgment and
yeloped portions of the country in the hope of
sharing the wealth which development will
confer.
These are truths which must not e
overlooked in any further effort made to
induce desirable immigration to Cali
fornia. They emphasize the further truth
that capital is never deceived in such
movements, so neither is stable immigra-
ton, and therefore the exact truth is what
must be presented in all missionary effort,
1t is the hight of folly to delude ourselves
with the idea that we can secure good re-
suits in this direction by exaggerated
representations. As the committee saws,
the movement of population westward lis
controlled by sober judgment and thought
full purpose 1t is not, and never has
been, permanently influenced by deceptive
invitations. Every Misrepresentation made
concerning California must stand the cold
test which capital invariably applies, and
will certainly recoil with unreasonable
injury upon those who originate and pro-
mulgate it.
The committee further on in their ex-
haustive report, which is in fact complete
analysis of immigration movements west
ward, point out that California is now in
direct competition with the East in her
invitation to population. That is to say,
the East is alarmed at the prospective
drain upon its capital and population. 1t
Is extending its influence to stay the tide,
and therefore every written or printed
line We put forth undergoes criticism and
scrutiny of an antagonistic character
The committee quote from a letter, by an
Eastern observer, in response to inquiry
upon the subject, in which the writer says
than remarkable and unified effort is
made by press and capital at the East TO
check immigration to California, and that
this effort is having marked effect. Hence
it is, says the letter writer, that pamphlet
and advertising matter we send out is
looked upon with more than doubt,
and is discredited largely as being over-col-
ored and intended to deceive. The COM
mittee say that the far-reaching signif-
canoe of this must be kept in view and its
do not, however, believe that this antag-
onism will have permanent effect. 1t holds
that the growth of the State will not be
appreciably affected; on the contrary, it
Will continue, because " the real merits of
our country constitute an attraction to
immigration as certain in its operations
as the law of gravity" To what the COM
miitee adds, the attention of all candid
readers is especially invited:
Entertaining these abiding convictions. we
also believe that the facts of the case can be
so presented as to secure Judgement inithe
minds of men everywhere. and that the superb
ority being real, aud not fictitious the truth OF
its existence viii find complete and early ac-
ceatanee. II is clear therefore, that ordinary
immigration literature. dealing in generalities
Mandatory of climatic advantages, oraamented
with ford descriptions. replete with glowing
accounts of the present and prospective
sources OF country, are by far too vague and
too indefinite TO produce the desired conviction
in the mind Of the Eastern emigrant- We have
no criticisms 10 make upon the publications
which have been heretofore semi forth. They
have been of the highest value. What We pro-
pose is that the immigration literature. COM
piled and published by counties or local Boards
of Trade, shall be used, and its further pubica-
ton be encouraged, but that the publication
which will go forta under the auspices of this
State Board Of aGe shall address itself to the