Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-21
A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION IN AID OF
STATE SETTLEMENT.

A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION IN AID OF
STATE SETTLEMENT.
The proposition, or rather suggestion, Of
Mr.. c. P. Huntington, as presented to the
State Board of Trade by Mr.. William H.
Mills, concerning a new means of adver-
Using the State, strikes us with great
deal of force because upon its face it is rea-
sonable, practical, and practically inexpen-
sive. Mr.. Huntington's idea is that there
are some thousands of adults in California
welded to its best interests and convinced
that it offers unequalled advantages to
homeseekers, who are, or can be put in
correspondence with immediate friends or
relatives at the East upon CALIFORNIA; ad-
vantages. Now, if a good portion of these
several thousands of our people can be in
duced to write even so few as three letters
year to friends abroad, concerning Cali
fornia and its claims, each one addressing
his friend, We assume, upon the line of his
correspondents known tastes, great mis-
sionary work will be entered upon.
1t does not need any argument to con-
vince people that personal Endorsement
or appeal is infinitely superior to one by
circular, or printed agencies, or even by
Boards Of Trade, where the person present.
ing the case has our respect and inspires re-
pose of confidence in him. If we put
ourselves in the place of the recipient of
such letters as Mr.. Huntington suggests,
we will more readily understand the value
of that kind of correspondence, and the
potency that it will have at the East.
The tendency of nearly all Californians
is, after a few years residence here to cease
correspondence with the old home people
at the very best the letters become in
frequent There are three men out Of
every five one will meet in the business
world of California, who have almost en-
tirely abandoned the frequent and one
time warm correspondence maintained
with the friends of youth and ear y man
hood at the East Whatever the cause, it
is undeniably true that few years resi-
dence in California has a tendency to wean
one away from the old home and the init
macy of old friendship.
Now, if by any sort of appeal several
thousand old Californlans can be induced to
give so much of time as a little letter
writing will consume, to renewing their
home correspondence, and therein to set
forth the exact truth concerning the State,
California will profit by dissemination of
information in a way, and to an extent
never before enjoyed.
There are many Californians whose
names will open to them the columns of
scores of Eastern journals, notably the
weekly press of rural regions and through
such mediums great good can be done in
the way of State building and the settle
ment of our vacant acreage. The sugges-
tion made at the recent Board meeting,
that the State Board might well employ
some one to solicit such correspondence
as is advised by Mr. Huntington is a good
one, but the propriety of engaging such a
person to offer to write letter for Others
may be considered somewhat doubtful.
Most men and women. We fear, will resent
such en- offer, since such letters would
necessarily be too formal and evidently
purposeful. Probably the correspondence
Mr.. Huntington advises is that which the
friend recognizes as in the style of and
from the heart and head of his friend and
relative.
Just how to set on foot the suggested
plan is an interesting question. The road
to its consummation may well be prepared
by the California press. After that some
means, even employment of representa-
tive of the State Board to visit the people
present the matter and secure their pledges
to do something personal in inducing de-
sirable incoming of settlers of the class we
need, might be adopted. But if the idea
is approved by public Judgment, the means
of accomplishing its end will develop.
1t is, the more it is thong ht over, an ex-
banding suggestion, one that accumulates
force and gathers energy. Let the State
Board take hold of it earnestly and success
viii attend the effort. If it is said that
letter-writing of the kind indicated is an
art mastered by but few, we reply that ii
is not. probably, the intention to have the
peoNe told that they are to write essay;
and lone monographs, comprehensive, and
all embracing upon the climatic and other
advantages OF our favored heritage. Or
the contrary, it is rather the idea we as
sumo, that the letter-writers shall, from
time to time, by concise and emphatic ex
preston, disabuse the minds Of their East
ern friends Of false ideas concerning Cali
fornia that have unfortunately obtained al
the East; that they shall, from time tc
time. refer to and indorse the general
truths about this State as set forth in such
literature, for instance, as has the indorse
ment Of the State Board; that knowing
their correspondents tastes, means and de
sires, they shall address them, as far as
truth will justify, concerning the adyan
tages California offers to meet their hope:
and abilities.