Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-05
IT BOBS UP AGAIN. N
The Scheme to Obtain Lower
California.
General Vandevers Lends Him.
self to Spectators Plans.
A. Matter the Government Should
EfRectually Squelch.
San Diego and Ensenada Capitalists
Again Trying to Meddle in State
craft-A Gauzy Trick.

again Trying TO meooio III OVato'
craft-A Gauzy Trick.
Congressman Vandever, at Washing
ton, seems to be working in peculiar
sympathy with number Of San Diegans
vino are endeavoring to ioment trouble
between the republic OF Mexico and
this nation regarding Lower California.
The idiotic filibustering society ex-
posed some time ago, the alleged head
OF which was Editor Smith, of the Sun
Of San Diego. was, as is well known in
certain quarters, in reality backed by
the anticipations of its members that
two extremely wealthy men, interested
in San Diego, would take part by aiding
financially the scheme and the schem-
ers. That silly fiasco and the present
agitation Of the subject are probably
caused by the same two capitalists, in
connection with the English company
which succeeded to the conces-
sions given to the old Interna-
tional company. The cry is made
that the English company proposes in
some way to hand the peninsula over
to the British government, while the
fact really is, that the English company
is more anxious than is anyone else that
the United States should take the terri
tory and thus give their lands some
value. Apparently the managers of this
company pull the string and General
Vandever obeys.
The San Francisco Examiner OF Fri
day contains the following special dis
patch, which illustrates this point:
Regarding the proposed purchase Of
Lower California, General Vandever
will say in tomorrow's Washington Post:
AT the commencement OF the Sec
ond session OF the fiftieth congress, and
in compliance with = memorial ad-
dressed TO me from my district, l
introduced a resolution requesting
with our sister republic OF Mexico for
Lower California. The chief induce
menv " inc niovcmert 30 -thas tinso svas
the fact that a conditional grant had
been made by the Mexican government
to what was called the International
Company Of Mexico.
The grant was first held, by Con-
necticut parties. They afterward trans
ferred it to an English syndicate, who
controlled it in the interest of large
number OF colonists VINO had gone into
that country from the United States.
While the Connecticut company owned
and controlled this grant they in
duced the investment of large
amounts of money by American
citizens, mostly living in Southern Cali
fornia. The contracts which they en-.
tered into have, since the English syn
dicate came into control, been disre-
garded, causing an immense loss to the
people living in Southern California.
"I have now in my hands, to be pre-
sented to congress, a petition setting
forth, substantially, these facts, signed
by hundreds of the best people in the
southern part of my district, calling
upon congress to authorize negotiations
with Mexico for the purpose OF protect
ing their interests and reimbursing
them for the money OF which they
have been defrauded by this Eng
lish syndicate. The latter have
control of the peninsula through
military officers, notably Colonel Scott
OF the British army, but this fact, while
unpleasant tosAmericans, is small mat
ter beside the more important fact that
the English are now establishing sta
ton at San Quinten, on the peninsula.
Another matter too important for
this government to overlook is this: If
the English are allowed to continue in
possession of Lower California they will
control the mouth of the Colorado river,
one of the principal rivers of the coun-
try, and one that drains large amount
of valuable country in the states OF Col
orado, Nevada and California. The out
let of this river ought not to be in the
control of European power."'
The folly. of all this may be shown by
the fact that the 'Colonel' Scott re-
ferred to, was Captain Scott, a party to
the recent filibustering fiasco, who had
his death announced, in order to head
off any demand for him from the Mexi-
can government, and further by the fact
that the grant to the eInternational COM
pany, contained no possible privileges
which could be used by the British gov
eminent. The whole thing is q. very
gallzy scheme.
The dispatch also states:
General Murray, ex-governor of
Utah, now proprietor of San Diego
newspaper, is interested largely in Lower
California land schemes. He was man
akcr u y CHlL LIKE ClCy enterprise, ana
left that place in company with Major
Erb, wealthy business man Of Salt
Lake City, just after his retirement from
the gubernatorial chair.
General Murray would derive pecu-
mary profit as well as self-glorification
If Lower California could be acquired by
the United States, and this would serve
him we'll in his expected candidacy for
congress in the sixth district several
years hence. At the same time, If it
can be made to appear that danger is
imminent between Americans and Lower
Californians, San Diego may improve
her chances for securing military post"
General Murray is the editor de jure
Of the San Diego Union, paper con-
trolled by the Babcock-Spreckels COM
bination. The General also has large
land claims in the territory named.
General Murray's name was In NO
way connected with the Han Diego fli-
buster childb play, but the names Of
two men, just about as rich and enter
/ prising as any interested in San Diego