The record-union., 1894-03-02
THE OLD. OLD LIE.

AS a sample of vulgar and insulting vi
ciousness, we quote this from the Fresno
ErpoSitor, a paper that knows better, and
which ought to be ashamed of itself for
this utterance:
Sacramento is making a big struggle to get
the State Central Committees of both the old
political parties to hold their conventions in
the State Capital. Sacramento can't be
blamed tor this, because State Conventions
State Fairs and State Legislatures are the
principal means that town has OF supporting
Its people A large proportion Of the inhabit-
ants OF Sacramento manage to make enough
money out OF the people VINO are compelled to
goto Sacramento on the occasion ofone ofthese
events 10 support them nicely until another
similar event occurs, but 1t Is difficult to see
why the people of the State should be dragged,
wiIly-nilly, TO that town any oftener than is
necessary, just TO become the prey of Sacra-
mento's saloon-keepers, lodging-house keep
ers and gamblers.
Because this is all untrue, unfair and
unmanly toward Sacramento, we repro
duce it. Our people, however, know how
Sacramento is assailed, for no other rea-
son than that it is the Capital of the State.
Rejecting and well-informed minds
know that the charges quoted are with
out shadow of truth. For, as a matter
of fact, any one of our several manufact-
uring enterprises is of more commercial
value to Sacramento and the State than
two dozen conventions, State Fairs or
legislative sessions. AS a matter of fact
the wholesale trade of Sacramento is Sec
Ond only to that of San Francisco. There
is but one city in the State that sends out
more millions of merchandise supplies,
and that is San Francisco. Sacramento
ships East more products of the State
than any two other cities of the interior of
the State combined.
1t really would be amusing were it not
so pitiable to see reputable and intelli-
gent journal commit itself to the silly
statement that city of SO. 900 inhabitants,
doing over O,OOO 900 of business annu-
ally. the second largest shipping point of
the State, with a payroll monthly to in
dustrial workers of over $1,000 the con-
centrating point for four lines of railway,
and situated upon the chief navigable
river, is dependent upon few sessions
of few days each, now and then of po-
itical body and an annual fair.
In fact, Sacramento has given in cold
cash to and for the State scores of thou
sands Of dollars and other values, and has
qaeuer received from the State one solitary
cont OF money or 0aIue by ggt, appropria-
ton or legislation.
Does the Erp0Sit0r and the smaller fry
who think it smart" to sneer at the Cap
ital really believe that the inhabitants of
a city who have nearly paid off $1,000. 600
OF debt, and meanwhile have expended in
improving streets and public works over
100000 INSIDE of five years; have in
creased the size of their city more than
twice in area and population in twenty
years: that maintains probably the most
complete common school system in the
State and pays the highest salaries to
teachers, has drawn its support mainly
from the few dollars delegates and visit
ors expend in the city among hotel keep
ers, restaurants and saloons?
But nevertheless the Capital is abused
in California just as it is in Michigan,
Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and most of
the States. 1t is popular to rail at the
people of a Capital City as dependents,
cripples. crutching it along upon dollars
wrung from people compelled" to come
to the city.
For shame, gentlemen of the press for
shame citizens who are led into making
these assaults They are neither smart,
witty nor cunning; but they are false
hoods, rank and raw, and reflect no credit
upon your manliness nor your sense of
fair play, to say nothing of your intelli-
gence.
Now, as a matter Of simple truth, Sac
ramento ought to inspire the people of
the State with pride. 1t is precisely as
moral and manly and deserving as
Fresno, or Oakland. or San Francisco, or
any other point; not more SO, not less. It
claims no e-eminence. it viii not toler-
ate any estimation less than its merits
justify.
Its people are as loyal, its men as true,