The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-03
Hearty Endorsement of the
Measure by Some.
Equally Earnest Opposition by
Other Citizens.
Some Are Sentimental and Some
Frugal, but ALI Are
Patriotic.

THE HERALD has undertaken to secure
representative opinion Of the citizens
OF Southern California on the question
of state division.
This opinion need not involve dis
cussion of the question, for it is not
likely that partisan or sectional argu-
ments can be productive of beneficial
results in any direction but full. fair,
dispassionate expression of opinion Will
certainly develop thought along lines
that must prove OF interest to every
resident OF this section of the state.
At the present time there is more
comment on this question in the north
ern part of the state than in Southern
California, Induced doubtless by the lack
OF enterprise and civic spirit existing IN
that section. 1t is not claimed that the
somewhat acrimonious discussion OF
Southern Cslifornia's "prstsnsions" is
the result Of jealousy on the part OF our
fellow citizens north OF the Tehschepi
range, but it must be ad mitted that come
of the arguments partake Of that char
acter.
1t is to show the people OF the north
that we of the south are as loyal to the
state; that we are as patriotic and that
our pride in the achievements of those
who founded this splendid empire is
as strong and sincere as theirs, that The
HERALD opens lite columns to calm re-
view of individual opinion on the sub
ject Of what is called state division.
1t is a safe proposition that when the
question has been fairly exploited even
the bitterest critics OF Southern Califor-
mia in the north will be forced to admit
that we are not as black as some Of
them have painted US.
THE HERALD has forwarded circular
letter to citizens in various sections o.
Southern California, asking: "Are you
favorable or unfavorable to state divi'
sion7 Why?"
In answer to some of these circulars
the following letters have been received.
The parliament is open. Let the de-
bate begin:
STATE DIVISION IMPoLITIC.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD: In
reply to your inquiry: care you favor
able or unfavorable to state division,
and why?" would say that am OPP
posed to it, and can see no sufficient
reason why the subject should now be
agitated. Conceding that there are
square miles enough of territory to make
two states of even more than respects-
BILE size; that the distance from this
capital to the southern end OF the state
is so great as to be q source Of inconve-
nience and expense, and that, naturally
there is moro or less of conflict o
interest in sections widely separated
yet the population and wealth now
within our borders are insufficient fol
the support OF two state governments
without imposing burdens which
neither portion would be able to bear
1t il the general belief that our burdenl
OF taxation are now sufficiently heavy
but. IL it is the general desire that thoy
should be increased, possibly the pres
ent legislature, with persistent solicits.
ton, might be induced to satisfy tina
desire.
The wonderful growth and progress
OF Southern California, both in city anC
country, would not seem to indicate that
her union with the northern part of the
state under one state government coult
have seriously interfered with her pros
perity, which has been 80 phenomenal
Certainly her present interests would b.
promoted. not by increasing the burden
of government, but by securing the
construction of a railroad which would
make Southern Nevada and Utah, witt
their coal, iron. salt and other minerals
feed her growth and add untold millionl
to her wealth. This, and other enter
prises. such as competing road into
toe rich San Joaquin valley and this
promotion of irrigation systems to resct
lands not yet under cultivation, which
must depend upon the enterprise and
pluck OF our people, open better fielc
for the use OF money than paying in.
creased taxes for the support of q sep
arate state government, which, il Il
ever becomes desirable, will be attainst
through the population and wealth
which such enterprises will bring.
One other reason. We must have
deep.water harbor. Complaints arr
Justly made that we have not had oui
share of federal appropriations for bar
Dor and other improvements. Stat,
division will not aid US in that direction
while the agitation Of that question
tends strongly to defeat our efforts
Human nature exists north 40 well al
south. We are anxious for the promo
tion OF our interests, and they OF theirs
Ii they are led to bslievs that division
must come, they can have no interest il
the promotion Of our wealth, which
could not be taxed for their benefit; ane
II division were accomplished. we Nigh
reasonably expect them to sntagoniz'
CONCENTRATIONS fnY our bsne6k. United