Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-19
THE PROSPECTS FLATTERING.

4 y
short time ago when the vast plans OF
the San joaquin valley were as solitary
as the pampas of La Plata. Now there
are not only lively towns scattered at
short intervals over this awakened
region, but fourishing cities that have
promise of splendid futures. Irrigation
has done for that region what it will do
for all parts of this section remaining
vet in a state of productive allegiance.
The great counties of the San Joaquin
valley are destined to become centers OF
vast populations and fourishing indus
tries. Even the desert of Mojave,
where the coyote and the jack-rabbit
eked out a half-famished existence a
few years ago, is now filling up in places
with thrifty settlers, and promises soon
to become anything but desert, either
in population or production.
Whilst the great interior valley coun-
ties are going ahead with wonderful
alacrity the counties along the coast are
asserting their value as producers. Ven
tura is taking rank as one of the most
promising counties in the state. Besides
her magnificent agricultural riches she
is developing an inexhaustible source OF
wealth in her oil wells. Santa Barbara
and San Luis Obispo are both growing
in wealth and population. But the
progress of these counties in the past
will be as nothing to what it will be in
the future when the coast railroad is
completed to San Francisco.
When we come to our own imperial
county and the splendid counties back
of it, there is not in our vocabulary
language that is capable of overrating
the probabilities and possibilities of
their future development. San Ber-
nardino has made astonishing strides in
the past few years. With her River
side, her Chino, her Redlands, her Ales-
sandro: with the wonderful changes
that have been made from arid plain to
fiourishing orchard, vineyard and farm,
between Ontario and the old city of
'San Berdoon," there is hardly any
limit to the possibilities OF progress that
may be in store for this one-time
dormant county. Then there ia the
infant child of Los Angeles that went
off on its own hook before we thought it
was old enough to face the world by
itself-why, Orange county is flourish
ing like green bay tree, and laying out
for itself splendid destiny. As soon
IS it succeeds in opening to settlement
some Of the great land grants that pow
bandican its ,;SoGreas, 1t will efsf field
for settlement to the energetic new
conner that will be second to none other
in the state.
In the meantime our own county is
finally abreast OF the times, and inn
provement. and development are the
order of the day in the rich soils that
cover our valleys, our mesas and our
hillsides.
The immigration convention that is to
meet in San Francisco next Monday will
be we'll represented from this part of the
state, and our delegates will be enabled
to point with pride to the fact that in
spite of all draw backs this section has
been growing in population and wealth
apace, and that it has unlimited acres
susceptible of the most profitable culti-
vation open to the man of energy
and moderate means. Some of the
most attractive properties in this county
were, but few years ago, less inviting
to such settlers than thousands of places
that can now be had for price which is
nominal when compared with what they
can produce. We would warn this conven-
ton against over-cheapening our coun-
try. The class of people who cannot
afford to make small outlay at the
start are not the kind of people we
want. We want men OF brains and
energy, and these are very rarely the
impecunious; and when they are so
accidentally, they seldom remain SO
long. We care more for the character
of our population than the quantity.
Inferiority has enough representatives
here now; let US hereafter aim at the
higher mark.
But we must not omit to state the fact
that in the revival which is setting III
all over Southern California, both in in
dustrial development and general bust
ness, it is admitted by friend and foe
alike that Los Angeles has the healthi-
est outlook OF any city on the coast.
Our back country has had two splendid
years of production, and the effect upon
the business Of our city has been grad.
ually to increase its normal volume, un-
til now it is on an upgrade
that promises to reach the most
satisfactory proportions before long.
1t is to be remarked that there is not
the slightest soupcon of boom in all
this. From the lower notch at which ii
reached before the turn, it has been
slowly but steadily mounting in the bulb
of business activity until now it has
reached most healthy and gratifying
stage. 1t has the further merit Of being
very strong and substantial advance
on very strong and substantial founda.
tions-foundation that have the healthy
growth and increasing production of oul
tributary country for their basis.
When the business of an improving
city stands upon this broad and legiti