The record-union., 1892-11-12
LAND OF FRUIT And FLOWERS.
California, as Seen by the National
Editorial Visitors.
A Review of Their Visit to Sacramento
How They We're Impressed
With the Capital City.

by the Members OF the National Editorial
Association"
The above is the title of a handsomely
printed pamphlet, with a cover of green
and gold, published by Mrs. Bent Wilson
of Lafayette, Ind, descriptive of the tour
of the members of the National Editorial
Association to the Pacific Coast last May.
1t contains seventy-six pages of excel
lently written matter concerning Cali
fornia, from which we make the follow
ing extracts;
ENTERING THE STATE.
California; The very name savors of
everything beautiful, delicious, desirable.
The Queen of the Occident incompar-
ablel In extent so commanding, in area
SO comprehensive, in mountains and
valleys peerless, in forests and mines
matchless, in flowers and fruits unap-
proachablei Where is there another No-
semitic or Mt. Shasta, another Golden
Gate or Tahoe Lake, "a sea in the
clouds"? A State with a coast line Of
1000 miles the boundary of its western
limits, where the limitless Pacific opens
up with its waste Of blue. The great
Mojave Desert in the southeast, Of which
thousands upon thousands of its acres are
to-day by irrigation bossoming in ex-
quisite fragrance and groaning under
bountiful harvests OF grain, fruits and
vegetables. What country can boast of
greater variety of scenery, resources and
products, more perfect climate?
No matter how exaggerated to you
may seem stories OF California, believe
them, for they cannot be overdrawn. In
deed, we consider her people exception
ally modest when they have everything
of which to be boastful. One can have
only vague conception of what Califor-
MIA is without seeing it. 1t impresses one
as a great empire, the Sierra Nevada
Mountains closing OIL the Eastern world,
as it We're, while its beautiful harbors
welcome the fleet of the Old World.
With all the grandeur of its scenery, the
wealth of its mines, the magniticence of
its flowers and fruits it is a country
unique, complete.
What kind of people live in such a
country? The very best the sun shines
on. The beautiful surroundings incul-
cate and develop beautiful traits of char
acter.
We first met the real Californians at
San Bernardino, and such welcome as
was accorded US. They had sent in ad-
vance to Barstow at which points we be-
came guests of the great Southern Pacific
Railroad, baskets OF magnificent flowers.
from the ladies Of San Bernardino, and
fruits in profusion as an initial greeting.
After our long journey over the desert it
SEcHlSQ 1lh0 d S44llL u JdTdQAS6.
AT SACRAMENTO.
Leaving Stockton amid cheers, music
and flying handkerchiefs, we are off for
Sacramento, the Capital City of the Golden
State, forty-tive miles almost due north.
As we approached we might easily have
imagined ourselves in Holland from the
prevalence of windmills in every direc-
ton. Here Don QuiXote would have re-
yeled in cOurtly knighthood.
G1ol, Il rraror1i N -
extended usi Their tireless committee
men met US down the valley, received us
with open arms and carried US willing
visitors TO the beautiful Capital City of
the great State of California.
The drives about the station were lined
with waiting carriages, enough to accom-
modate our party, and Immediately we
were driven to various hotels, where the
citizens of Sacramento feasted US sumpt-
uOusly. The carriages awaited our pleas
ure and we were soon enjoying the sights
OF the city. 1t is an enterprising city
with population of 10000, is well built
with splendid business blocks and mag
nificent residences and public buildings.
II is the railroad center for the middle
and northern part of the State. The
roads run out like the spokes of a wheel,
1Or it seems to get anywhere in Central
California one must pass through Sacra-
mento. 1t Is also on the Sacramento
River, which bears an enormous river
traffic.
Sacramento has the immense Pacific
railroad shops, which cover twenty-five
acres, besides manufactures of furniture,
1iour, pottery, woolens, iron foundries,
spice mills, canneries and wineries, Its
streets are broad, heavily shaded, afford
ing admirable drives. The beautiful
homes are surrounded by rare plants and
choice foliage. 1t is the center of very
productive fruit region and great dis
tribuung point, shipping more green
fruit than all the rest of the State. The
largest hop yard in the world is in Sacra-
mento County.
For our delightful drive we were per-
sonally indebted to Miss Dunlap a lady
of rare culture and presence, who gave us
special pleasure in describing every in
teresting point.
CITY OF CULTURE.
Sacramento is literally endowed with
churches, has splendidly equipped
school systems and maintains several
private educational institutions, The
Sacramento School of Design occupies the
L. B. Crocker Art Gallery, a fine build
ing presented by Mrs. L. b. Crocker and
valued with its collection of oil paintings
at S650,0O0. We spent delightful hour
here, which was part of the programme,
admiring the fine pictures. The building
was handsomely decorated with flowers
and the already flying minutes beguiled
with music and light refreshments.
Next we were driven to the magnificent
State Capitol, a superb structure built at
cost OF SZ,50O,0OO and standing within a
park of twenty-five acres abounding in
lawns and flowers. Here we were most
charmingly and informally received,
though on every hand were evidences Of
careful consideration for our comfort and
pleasure.
THE STATE CAPITOL.
A., ks..-4 IL .
the Capitol a military band stationed
within the rotunda is discousing fine
music, while the great corridors are en-
bellished with tropical plants and sway
ing flowers which lend their beauty and
fragrance to the enchanting scene-with-
in the halls and parlors floral designs of
magnificent beauty await our admiration,
All OF the State offices We're thrown open.
IN the Senate Chamber on an immense
easel were letters of floral beauty bearing
this message Welcome National Edi-
torial association" while in the hall of
Representatives was a handsome floral
lnay-pole. In the Library a cluster of
immense cornucCpiSe, horns of plenty,
flowing over with rare blossoms and
bearing the inscription Sacramento"
California" wrought in flowers ex-
quisite.
In the State Treasurers Office a novel
exhibition had been prepared for us. The
big vault was thrown open and we We're
permitted to enter and test the weight of
The ghttering coins, the native product of
California. There was S, loco. 900 there
placed in sacks containing $50, 600 each.
In a glass case had been arranged ''richn
welcome consisting of $4,000, Sl0 and $50
pieces in stacks forming "W ELC0ME
n. Z. Az
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST.
And now we visit an object of special
II - ,fr,C C.rr4