Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-14
HE LONDON FXHIBIr AND COMMON
INTELLIGENCE.

INTELLIGENCE.
Leland Stanford founded university
upon the educational theory that it is the
first duty of the schools to enhance the
productive capacity of the people. We
have never realized how great factor in
the building of commonwealth general
education is, until since the discussion of
the propriety of making an exhibition
illustrative of California, in London, in
search of market for California products.
1t is the first instinct of low intelligence
to say no to this proposition moreover, it
is the first instinct of high intelligence
to say yes. The San Francisco Alta is
doing splendid work in favor of the
London Exhibition Its editor and pro-
prietors understand enough of the rela-
tions which must forever subsist between
enterprise and success to give full and
ready support to an undertaking which is
fraught with so much promise of good to
this people. Ignorance at once responds
always responded in just that way When
the free school system of America was
established, and the people were to be
taxed for education, there were those to
declare that the system would be by far
too costly, but for every dollar expended
In the education of the masses, there is
800, even, in time, ST 900 returned to the
public treasury. The greatest possible
source of wealth to people is in their
productive capacity. The founder of the
Leland Stanford Jr. University perceives
this so clearly that he has often said,
Widely extend among men the capacity
for self-help, and you eliminate poverty,
Exceptions may exist, but a common
wealth Is rich in proportion as its people
have an intelligent perception of its phys
ical, material and commercial wants.
The Alta is showing couclusively that
the issue between those in favor Of and
those opposed to an exhibition in search
of market, is one between making lands
In California worth $3.50 an acre for fruit
uses as against $40 and $50 an acre for the
growing wheat This is the direct issue.
Land here is not worth more than land
in Iowa, unless the higher climatic ad-
vantages of the State are made available
1t is in the higher use of land only that
the high valuation lies. For purposes of
growing wheat or raising stock, the lands
OF California are worth but little
more than $40 to $50 an acre.
When they acquire higher valuation
than this, that is to say, valuation that
will be maintained, one year with another,
and independent of boom movements, they
acquire it solely on their capacity to pro-
duce articles which will make the yield
per acre in money greater than those of
the temperate zone. Give California a
market for her products and she will at
once become the richest country in the
world. Give her market for her wines.
her dried and her canned fruits, and every
acre of land capable of producing these
things will take on a price which these
productions will permit and justify. When
the question is asked, therefore, 'Can the
State afford to do this ?' the answer be-
comes at once apparent that it can that the
State is too poor not to support the State
Agricultural Society and the District Agri-
cultural Societies and the Public School
system. There are expenditures which
individuals and commonwealth cannot
afford to withhold, because, as the Script
ure states the case, There is withhold
Ing that leads to poverty"
The State cannot afford to withhold any
economical expenditure which makes a
market for that class of products which
will enrich the producer, and at the same
time adds value to every acre of realty in
the commonwealth. California is in a
crisis to-day. very high price has been
placed upon the lands of the State upon
the theory that under favorable climatic
conditions they are capable of being de-
voted TO more valuable products than the
wheat and corn OF the temperate zone. A
high price for land cannot long be main
tanned in any country on the theory that
II may in future be devoted to profitable
horticulture. If the present session of the
Legislature adjourns without setting or
foot this best devised of all instrumental
ties for the creation of market for the
cured and canned fruits of California, the
realty of this State will have suffered
serious decline before another biennial
Legislature will be able to remedy the
fatal mistake. Upon this issue we are pre-
pared to go to the country, and behind the
party and the men, who in this great
emergency prove that they are for Califor-
mia and its higher interests, we are ready
to do battle in any field.