The record-union., 1895-09-13

yielding their full measure to the pro7
ducer. Last year was produced 2, ,000, 900
bushels of wheat, but the price to the
farmor for the surplus was lower than
ever before and | observe that it has
been estimated that it cost more to pro-
duce the wheat crop than the amount re-
allied from it. And the President of your
society. in his report to the Governor.
suggests the diminution of the area
planted to wheat and advises the farmer
10 diversity his products.
The fruits from our bearing orchards
and the wines from our vineyards find
only . sluggish market and are not yield
ing the full fruition of expectations.
w hile the mining interests are in more
prosperous and hourishing condition
than for twenty years past, still there is
world OF wealth waiting further develop
meut Our manufacturing Interests grow
only in pace with an actual home de-
lnand. and competition in manufactur-
ing is retarded by the too great cost OF
fuel and power. This Is the condition OF
our leading resources.
The question is, what is the remedy for
these Incidental evils? l answer it is
this and this only; Increased population
and markets. And both can be obtained
by the accomplishment of three great
purposes. First, the completion OF the
Nicaraguan Canal; second, more direct
consideration by the Federal Govern
ment; third, the conversion OF our water
power into electrical energy.
NICARAGUAN CANAL.
The question OF inter-oceanic commu-
nication across the strip of land that con-
meets North and South America is a prob
lem that has received prolonged consid-
Grafton from the maritime nations OF the
earth: and to its solution the ablest minds
have applied the knowledge of the best
engineering skill of the world. That
such canal is practicable is not now dis
puiod. but that the end of the nineteenth
century is at hand and this great enter
prise has hardly begun, and is not assured
by the adoption OF any specific plan for
it's construction, is not only surprising,
but reflection upon the progress of mod
ern times.
OF the many plans that have been sug-
gested TO ar!iticially connect the two
oceans az point where nature had al
most united them, il is now generally
conceded that the Nicaraguan route is
the most practical. Millions upon mill
ions have been spent on the aban-
doned works at Panama, and there seems
no probability OF resurrection OF this
scheme. The importance of the con-
summation of this enterprise to the Pa
citic Coast and the benefits that will ac-
crue to California it Is now impossible TO
realize in detail. Suffice it to state the
distance in miles between this seaboard
and two important commercial ports of
the world that would be saved in oceanic
travel. From San Francisco to New
York it would be 9,SS4 miles, and to
Liverpool 6.996 miles. The transconti-
mental traffic alone from the Pacific Coast
is estimated at nearly seven million tons
per annuin. To the fruit-growers OF the
State it would mean more than two mill
ions of dollars per annun in the reduc-
ton OF freight rates and 10 the farmer -
per ton on ali the wheat exported.
These are startling figures and open up
considerations that cannot be dWeit upon
now, but one thing is certain, the people
OF this whole country are convinced of
the importance and feasibility OF this
canal and favor it's control and construc-
ton by the Federal Government. They
viii not approve OF further temporiZing
by Congress or the Executive in conclud-
ing plans for its completion, and the next
Congress will not be excused for inaction,
particularly If the commission which has
recently examined the works and har-
bOrs of this route report favoraDly upon
the plan. And it matters not whether the
cost be one hundred or Two hundred mill
ions. What is wanted is the canal at
any price. 1t will redeem the coast from
the complaints OF lack of competition and
burdeusome freight rates in tranSporta-
ton, and this reliefln itself Will justify
the outlay.
CALIFORNIA'S RELATION TO THE FEEDER
AL GoVERNMENT.
This brings forcibly to mind the need
to the state OF greater consideration by
the Federal Government. The Pacific
Coast states wore added to the national
domain with less cost of life and money
I E1t nt &
OF States, and no other single section has
contributed as much to the Nations
" ealth. W hen the l MON was in the
throes of civil strife, its credit impaired
and dissolution imminent, it was the gold
OF California that helped to furnish men
and means for It's perpetuation.
The total gold product added to the as
sets of the country Is more than 81, l,3DG,-
OJ0, 900. In direct taxation it mas been
estimated that California has contributed
about 500, ,O0J, 900 to the Federal Treasury,
ana has only received in direct appropri-
atiOn for rivers and harbors and public
buildings an amount less than SIJ, 900, ,0JO
The " hole tendency Is toward the GEN.
tralization of power at " ashington and
in the East. and or course the moro OF
this the further we get from the seat of
authority.
/ deem it an irreparable misfortune to
the State 20 have as the Chief Executive
Of the nation one who-ha no personal ac-
quaintance with the conditions and re-
sources of the Pacific Coast, and that no
mem Der OF the Cabinet has ever been Sc
lecte-d IN California is all injustice that
condemns The wisdom and craftsmanship .
OF recent executives. Without any de-
sire TO reflect upon tine past or present
able representatives in Congress | main-
tain that bold and aggressive demand
should be made at Washington for a more
Just and equitable regard in all things,
and this inslstance should be backed 10y
the whole press and people. Our needs
are obvious; a deienseless seacoast of 100
miles should be protected. Not because
II is the coast Of California, but because it
IL the western 5ea0oard of the nation and
iis harbors are iIs gateway
Independent bases OF supplies and fac
tories for tine manufacture OF implements
aud muniiIous OF war shuld be estab-
iishe6, pu bile buildings sufficient TO ac-
commudate the expanding Federal Dusi-
ness should be erected, and our rivers
and harDors improved aud the latter in
creased wherever practicable. And g
little Of the paternallsm that has been
layisheG on the Eastern States. while not
desired as principle, would be accept
able as an equaIZtng process.
ELECTRICAL POWER DEVELOPMENT.
The third and most important essential
to the future development OF the re-
sources and industries OF The State is the
converting OF lis Yasted water power
to electrical energy. The application of
the waters of the y merican River and the
turning o the switch at Folsom which
applied electric power TO Sacramento, is
au event as important and significant 10
this period as the nuding OF The gold by
Marshall 10 the epoch which that Incl
dent created. The electrical carnival
hero AZ Sacramento. on the 9th day OF
September. lo95-the torty-fiith ami
yorsary of the admission OF California to
the Union-has furnished an object les
son inat tnreiells q mlrYelnns fuImra IL