, 1888-03-08
SPOKANE FALLS. MARCH Z, 1888

past few years Is past all understands
ing. They read of the "boom" that
has built up place OF 10000 popula-
ton and wonder what there is in the
location to justify this miraculous
growth. It is true that at that point
is the only sheltered bay from San
francisco to the Mexican line, but in
comparison with the majestic body OF
water spread out in front Of Califor
MAS metropolis it Is an insig .,iticant
frog pond. tits further true that the
climate Of San Diego is the most equit-
able in the country-perpetual sum-
mer, but free from the discomforting
heat of that season in other localities
OF the same latitude. But beyond
these two items there. is absolutely
nothing upon which to build city.
For wealthy people who Gun afford TO
take on the indolent life that is the
natural result of such an enervating
temperature, Saa Diego holds out in
ducements presented by no other 10
cslity in the union, but the poor man
should shun the section as he would
che plague. There is no agricultural
or grazing country, no mines. no man.
ufacturics tributary to the place. The
land il an arid waste, where tarantulas
and reptiles hold high carnival among
the monotonous, thorny cactus, where
the solitude Of the rough country is
unbroken by the chirp Of u single bird
and where the parched and thirSty
earth drinks in the wry rivers. For
foreground is the sun CLINT waves VI the
restless Pacific. while the horizon TO
the background is shut out by gigan-
tic chain Of rugged mountains. There
is absolute nothing to induce man
70 live in the city but meteorological
-unchangeableness that becomes pain
fully monotonous on account OF this
sameness. There il no place in the
world where so much is asked and paid
for Oxons by the front foot, and the
"boom" cannot possibly be more than
transatory. That Sun Diego is de-
lightful resort in winter for the blizzard
stricken people Of the east, we do not
gainsay. but we insist that the "boom"
II builded entirely on that climate. 1t
10 too expensive for the man OF limited
means. and the day is not far distant
when It will Relapse to its old state
when il was solely q health and
pleasure resort. When the
houses were plastered with
placards "For Sale" and "For
rent" when property was without val
ne and when everybody who could
cell and desiring to live q life of activi-
~ were moving to other parts OF the
country. The present condition OF
things down there savors OF the fever
of unhealthfulness, and this impress
sion is growing steadily. The following
extract from AN Iowa paper, written
by an observing visitor at San Diego,
gives an idea Of the situation at the
phenomenally over grown southe n
California city:
"a gentleman writing from San
francisco to friends in Iowa gives
some of the inside facts about the
boom in San Diego and other southern
California points. He says oat Of the
10000 population Of San DiegM there
are 200 men fully equipped with cap
pers whose sole business it is to boom
the price of real estate and this is done
at the expense Of eastern tenderfeet.
Additions have been made to San
Diego until the city with its additions
il thirty miles long, and the only
things visible on most OF the additions
are white stakes on which ::are painted
the street and number. The country
back of San Diego is q barren waste,
containing here and there an oasis Of
= few acres which are devoted 10 grow
ing vegetables. Rents are very high.
4 thret. story brick building 50x90 now
in course Of erection, has been leased
for five years at $500 year, or for
- $40 for five years use Of building
costing half that sum. A party of
men will buy few acres OF ground,
lny Il out in lots, give IT Spanish
name, then advertise IL a few weeks
nd after securing reduced rates from
he railroad company the auction will
begin TO The music OF brass bands
and the blare OF trumpets. The people
are worked up and pile OF sand sells
for fabulous prices. Eight miles back
from the city land is held from $OOO