New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-01
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
WORK OF THE LEGISLATU MISLEADING
REPORTS OF FUOODS-PROFTTS
IN FRUITGROWING
[DY TELEGRAPH TO THE THIBUNE.

ny TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUSE1
San Francisco. Dec. 31.-Thc State Legislature,
which meets next week at Sacramento, viii have
some important work to do besides the election
Of United States Senator to succeed Mr.. FELTON,.
The Senate is Republican, the Assembly heavily
Democratic, and joint ballot the Democrats
are pretty sure OF good working majority Tho
election of Stephen NJ. White, Of Los Angeles, to
the Senate, is almost foregOne conclusion. His
only prominent competitor is Mr.. FOOtc lawyer
of Oakland, who is backed by his city and
San Francisco, but Mr. White has so much strength
throughout the State that it is impossible to see
how he can be beaten. He is by far the ablest
man in his party, and if chosen he will be sure
to do good work for his State. The Legislature
is limited to sixty days, which is an excellent de-
vice. it prevents the criminal waste of time
that used to mark the biennial meetings of this
body 1t is probable that a determined effort will
be made to reduce the legal interest. that the en-
cessive deposits in savings banks may be
cleared out and put into circulation. When
four of the largest savings banks here pay 4-l0
per cent interest on term deposits, and do not
limit the amount of individual deposits. it will
readily be seen what a temptation this Dig IN
tercst holds out to capitalists VINO do not care to
take risks in the development of manufactures
ON land or the Improvement of city real estate
One effect of this policy has been TO make
great reduction during the year in real estate
sales in Gan Francisco and IN manufactures The
sales fell of this year over S6,j00,000 from the
previous years record, and the decrease in manu-
features was S22,762,O 900. yet the State. a
whole, has been prosperous, and even in San
Francisco there has been a marked advance in
many directions. Two enormous Office buildings,
the Mills aud the Croker buildings, have been
opened during the year, and both were promptly
filed with tenants
Sensational reports have no doubt been printed
in Eastern newspapers IN regard to the floods
along the Sacramento River, but such reports.
unless accompanied by explanation, are very
misleading. 1t is true that the Sacramento River
was a foot higher than ever known before, but
the improved lcvee system saved the State Cap
iial from food and also protected many of the
most valuable wheat ranches. Thousands of
acres are overfowed, but in only few places
were houses carried away or stock drowned.
flood in this great California valley does not
mean tie same thing food in any Eastern
valley. The water, rich in scdimentary deposit,
that serves as Il natural fertilizer flows over the
bottom lands but it quickly drains OF into the
creeks as soon as the river falls and the hot sun
rapidly dries up the ground Before The Eastern
farmer would be able to see his land the Call
fornian is running all his ploughs. Only the
lowest lands which are seeded TO wheat have
suffered heavy damage from the storm. 10 the
greater part of the farmers in the Sacramento
Valley, as we'll as throughout the State the heavy
ruins have been welcome, as they assure good
crop next year.
The Olympic Club opened this week the finest
athletic clubhouse west of Chicago 1t is on
Post-st.. between Mason and Taylor, and among
the features are a large swimming tank, eighfy
feet long by thirty-ive wide. supplied with sea
water from the ocean, AID a superb gymnasium
sixtytlree by one hundred and thlrty-fonr feet,
and two stories in height. No smuggling" shows
are permitted.
The election count, which began on November
s, has just been completed this week. 1t IS the
longest on record and the result is unsatisfactory,
as il docs not touch the frauds which were
plain on every side. Recounts may bring these
plarinr frauds TO light out it would be COCA
ching for honest elections in tins city u the
legislature would pass an act directing luqlctaI
recount. 1t would be money Wei eApcnueo,i ivs
il would be sure TO expose several notorious
rascals who have fattened Tor years on ltlis
work. and who were rot checknated by thc
Australian Ballot law
Among the arrivals here this week from China
vas Aired Parsons, the well-lnown artist, VINO
has spent nine months in Jalan gathering mate
rial lie has devoted special attention 10 the
flowers ard trees OF Japan, ana MS Sho oon
ION. lie leaves here i'll Il few days 1or New
York.
Those who have predicted that the enormous
increase in fruit-growing In Cailornla "Vuiu
%lnt the markets Of the East have thelr "cs1
answer in the returns made by several south
I'm CALIFORNIA districts. In pomona. Los
Angeles County colony that planted many acres
10 olives about five years ago, the ,rtes III; aio
inst coming into good bearing The picked C H,
of Pomona have proved 80 fine that one New
Yorl, wholesale grocer this week sent OUT r an
order for 2O.0OO gallons Of these Olives: Inc
order could not he SLED. hut it has e lvon
meat stimulus TO the olive industry. ana s.ve;al
thousand acres will be plantc'i to tho trt Will Will
fnurishes here as vigorously as III, the iio ,
land The orangc-grOwcrs Of southern III, ar
forpia are also reaping rich harvest; iney me-,
have lost only per cent. Of their crop ty iioS,
and wind and tile total yield promises 10 e4llai
: 0o0 carloads against $500 LAST year. bnAu..'
90 nayinr S. % a box for the best run,
Geliyrred at TIN. railroad station ms M ans Ms
a retnrn of from $500 TO $500 on acre lot
aroVes that are over eight years old, ana from
G, 90 To $500 for trees that are rom iouI 20
aig,,t vcors old OF course. Caliornla or9hE.
Grove represents great deal OF care anu a iDns
s.o;t for retuylis bit it is doubtful IL sihIliar
rrtrns for the money invested can DC gained VI
horficultu~e in any other State in inc Chioh'