The record-union., 1891-08-25
Y OR MALIGkI-
WHICH?
INIBECILITY


WHICH?
Recently the Real Estate Exchange of
San Francisco decided to call State I'm
migration Convention, composed Of dele
gates from the various counties of the
State, to consider the general subject of
immigration to the State of California.
The convention was promoted by the real
estate agents, but to conceal the fact that
its promoters were in the commission
business, it concluded to assume the
phase of a popular convention. Just what
the convention proposed to convert itself
into after it had met was not clear, but if
it proposed the formation Of State I'm
migration Association on some new plan,
under an old leadership, it was working
In the direction of divided effort, and it
appears to be the course of everything
done or proposed for the benefit Of Cali
fornia that somebody should rise in a
spirit of antagonism, neutraliziug the
good that is proposed by inaugurating
hostilities, dividing counsel and dissipat-
ing effort.
1t now transpires that the immigration
Convention called by the Real Estate Ex-
change was in reality a hostile movement
against the State Board of Trade, and it's
purpose in this direction is clearly con-
fessed by the President of the new con-
Germ. The State Board of Trade is an
immigration agency conducted by pri-
vate contributions. The reason why
anybody should seek to antagonize it is
past finding out. The promoters of the
porposed convention, however, seem to
think that whatever good is accom-
plished by the State Board of Trade
should be arrested, because they say it is
in alliance with the Southern Pacific
Company.
In recent interview with a metropol-
itan journal, the leader of the convention
is quoted as saying to Secretary Maslin,
of the State Board of Trade: 1--WE do not
care to join with you in any effort, for
the reason that, whether it is a fact or a
sentiment, the suspicion exists through
out the State that the State Board of Trade
is too closely allied with the railroad to
make it a public good" Now here is a
superlative fool, who, when the Southern
Pacific Company proposes to assist in
promoting the welfare of the COM
munity, says the suspicion exists
throughout this State that that corpora
ton is engaged in promoting the public
good, and that therefore the work pro-
posed must necessarily be public evil
Under such leadership as this indicates,
a convention is to be held for the purpose
preventing the Southern Pacific Com
pany from joining in any effort for the
promotion of the public good. 1t was
further said in the interview: "We now
intend to work Independent of those who
are under corporate influence, and who,
when they come to San Francisco to at
tend a State Board of Trade meeting,
travel on free passes." This is a very
astonishing Indictment, but it indicates a
hberality on the part of the Southern Pa
cific Company of which we had not be-
fore been advised. 1t is matter Of pub
lie notoriety that the company has con-
tributed $1,000 a year cash, and that it ex-
pended nearly Sl5, 600 on the rolling exhi-
bition known as California on Wheels"
and if it has given free transportation to
the public-spirited men who have carried
forward the very effective work of the
State Board, it should be thanked for adj
ditional liberality. II the railroad COM
pany had refused to do any of these
things, we can understand why some
body might have accused them of parsi-
mony, want of public spirit, and charged
the company with being a cormorant and
an absorbent; but it is scarcely conceiv-
able that citizen of California, interested
in the growth and development of the
State, should object to the character of as
sistance which the Southern Pacific Com
pany has rendered an immigration
agency.
The State immigration Convention is
to be called for the purpose of creating
dissensions, dividing the effort and neu-
tralizing whatever good may have been
or may hereafter be accomplished by the
immigration agency known as the State
Board of Trade.
1t has come to a most contemplate
pass when even the question of inviting
a citizen of some State to make his resi-.
dence with us involves recrimination
contention and controversy.
THE dispatch of war vessels to China;
the seriousness of the assaults there upor