The record-union., 1895-09-13
TEE ANNUAL ADDRESS Inst NIGHT.
Delivered Before the State Agficut-
ural Society.
AN Interesting Review of California;
Varied Industries by j. w. Mitch
ell of Los Angeles.

ing Hon. j. w. Mitchell OF Los Angeles
delivered the annual address before the
State Agricultural Society and large
concourse of spectators. Mr.. Mitchell
eaid:
Nr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen:
In the beginning / cannot refrain from
expressing the deep sense of appreciation
feel at the honor OF being selected to de-
liver the annual address before your asso-
citation. 1t is a distinction which l eS-
TEEN more than / can tell, and is ali the
more gratifying when l am reminded, as
i have been, that preceding me as orators
OF this occasion are the names of such
distinguished citizens as Starr King,
Henry Edgerton, Newton Booth. John
z. Irish, NJ. NJ. Estee and others equally
well known who have delivered ad-
dresses at your State Fair which have
passed into the literature of California.
These noted orators have spread the beau
ties of tho Golden State before tile world
in the grace and gliding of happy speech,
and have pictured the history OF its de-
velOpment. the glories of its climate and
the wealth of its resources with u poetic
imagery and rare felicity which l do not
hope to equal, but can only attempt to
emulate.
The greatest difficulty on such occasions
is the selection OF an apt theme that can
be circumscribed within the limits of
your patience and my time. But to- night
whatever may be the Limitation there
seems but one subject commensurate
with The importance of this environment
and the weeks incidents enacted here in
New Sacramento, the Capital OF the State,
and that is the State itself. California,
Its brief past, significant present and
alluring future. And 1t is most fitting at
such times for our patriotism TO be re-
minded OF the incidents in our history
QH tat nf
which satisfy our material desires and OF
the an nticipations which bring content
ment to our lot. And In doing this, l
prefer to speak with voice of the opti-
mist rather than the pessemlst, to reflect
visions seen through crystal rather than
In glass darkIy, to intone psalm
rather than dirge.
THE ROMANCE OF A COMMONWEALTH.
The history OF California is the ro-
nance OF a commonwealth. It's discoY-
cry in 1912 by the Portuguese pilot Cab
Tilio; the settlement by Spanish mis-
sionaries at San Diego in 1863; the mis-
sionlZing OF the Indians and the Suprem-
acy OF the mission fathers to The inde-
pendence of Mexico i'll lS22; The rule OF
the padres succeeded by the pastoral
reign of the dOns; the advent of the gall
liant Fremont in 1914; the tragic story of
the Donner party; the return of Fremont:
the raising OF the bear flag and the sub
s6quent American occupation IN lo40; the
coming or the argonauts in 1913. and the
admission OF tie State 10 the Union in
1880; the transition from mining to agri
culture, and the various historical events
which mark the period during which d
community of shifting, adventurous
spirits was wrought In an enduring State
all furnish thrilling chapters In the story,
which is as pregnant of hardshlps, ex-
plorations and adventures as the early
career OF any of the older States beyond
The mountains on the other side of the
continent.
For instance, the landing at Plymouth,
in Massachusetts Bay, OF the one hun
dred English Puritans who came over
from Holland III the May1lower and laid
the foundation OF the old Bay State, finds
its counterpart in the landing in san
Diego Bay OF Father JunIpero Sierra and
his band of 0eyOut followers. New
\ ork tells as a marvel of history how
little fort built on Manhattan Island in
1914 was the germ OF the greatest city in
the Western Hemisphere and one OF the
greatest in the world. But this is not
more wonderful than the birth and up
building OF the great and unparalleled
City OF san francisco, the germ OF which
was nos planted until l62 years thereafter,
when, ia 1916. the Preside ana the Mis-
sion were nrst settled by the Mission
frlars. Virginia, the mother OF States
and statesmen, takes pride in that page
OF history whereon is recorded the ro
mantle legend Of how the courageous
Captain John Smith was captured by the
indians and would have been put to
death but for the Interference OF PocG-
hontas, the daughter of the Indian King,
Powhattan.
Equal to this is the narrative of how
the Russian ReZanot, contrary to law,
gained supplies TOR the starving colonies
y. -,
beautiful daughter OF Acguelia, the COM
mandant OF the PresiGio. Their be-
trothal his death while crossing Siberia,
ana hers while nun at Benicla, as i'm
rnortalized by Bret Harte, have made a
story as famous as that OF Nlrginia's In
dian princess.
Thus, indeed, for every historical Incl
dent cherished by The older States can be
furnished equally interesting ones, but
they are ola and familiar and are recalled
only as tender memories OF the past
which we will not dwell upon, but pass
TO the pulsing present and promising
future with which all are most concerned.
THE STATES RESOURCES AND DEVELOP
MENI.
The object of your society, which is de-
clared by law a State institution and its
maintenance the States tribute 10 agri-
culture as stated by your constitution, is
SOIL
and the general development of all the
resources of the state; TO foster every
branch OF mechanical aud household art
calculated 10 increase the comforts OF
home, and extend and facilitate the varl-
Gus branches OF mining. Truly. this is
stupendous task. our labors EN- brace
regard for all material essentials, and
your jurisdiction embraces more than
I5e, 900 square miles-a domain in which
eleven other States OF the Union, includ-
ing such important ones as Maine, Alassa-
chusetIs, Maryland and Indiana, with an
aggregate population of over eleven mill
ions, could be placed, and there would
still be room Tor TWO or three European
principalities.
And within this area are spreading
fields OF grain aud hops; valleys dotted
with orchards bearing almost every
variety OF iralt, and ali the world de-
Inaudlng IL; vineyards yielding more
wine than all the rest OF the United States,
and while a comparatively new industry,
its products are OF a quality comparable
with the wine-prOducing countries of
Europe with thelr centuries of expert
euce; vast reaches OF forest which viii
provide lumb Der Tor many years 10 come;
wool OF the best, and sufficient Tor the
clothing OF all the people OF the Stale,
and milk ana honey sufficient 10 feed the
original children o. Israel.
Besides our mines of gold and silver,
which last year produced Slf,000,00
there is wondrous wealth of other min
erai substances that are mined on large
and profitable scale, Quicksilver mined
nowhere else on this continent. yields
over a million dollars year; boraX
found only here and IN Nevada, is worth
from hall TO three-quarters OF a million;
macadam rock aud ruDble nearly half a
million; clays for brick and pottery show
value OF eight or nine hundred thou
sand dollars; asphaltum and bitumInous