The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-29
THE WORK OF PIONEERS.

There is an unfortunate disposition-hap-
PLY limited in extent-to underrate the
achievements of those hardy spirits who
came to California in the early days, and
to underestimate their present value to the
progress and prosperity of the State. How
ever small the number of persons who en-
terrain this sentiment, it's expressions are
sufficient to rouse the Indignation and re-
sentiment of the pioneers Men who come
hlther from those stirring, throbbing, roar
ing centers of trade, like Chicago and the
rest, are apt to sheer at what they term the
Anticipated methods of doing business here,
and older residents of f1ippant DISPOSE
| ton are quick to echo and magnify these
opinions.
Of whatever shortcomings there may be
on the part of our pioneers they themselves
should be the first to make confession and
it is the clear duty of the great majority
among whom these shortcomings do not
exist to urge the laggards into activity.
Nor should they be satisfied with pointing
to the wonderful conquests which they
have made. The future is as important as
the past, and duty is an obligation that
never relaxes. On its very face it is illogi-
which brought these men to California has
ever ceased to be a vital part of them.
That in some respects certain of their
number have failed to keep abreast of the
powerful agencies which have developed
other parts of the Union is no evidence
that they lack either ability or enterprise
for the task.
Many causes over which they had no con-
troll have operated to repress them. If we
have permitted the merchants of Chicago
to secure the trade OF Mexico, which by all
natural right belonged to US, we may thank
Mr.. Huntington's railroads in the West
and Mexico for transportation rates which
made our competition with Chicago i'm
possible. We have lost much of the
handling and transhipment of Oriental
products, but the interstate commerce act,
which made it impossible for the Southern
Pacific to compete with the Canadian
Pacific, is responsible for that. If so many
wealthy farmers still cling to wheat
growing on lands which would produce the
finest fruits in the world, the high freight
charges of the Southern Pacific may have
had something to do with it. In short,
while blame should be given where it is
due, the whole blame does not belong to
our people.
A ''silurian" means no more a rich pio-
neer than any other rich man who fails to
employ his money and energies in the de-
veIopment of the State. With very few
exceptions, all the great buildings in San
Francisco have been built by pioneers or
their widows or sons-the Palace, Califor-
MIA, Baldwin, Grand, Occidental, Lick,
Russ and st. Nicholas hotels; the Crocker,
Mills, Chronicle, Flood, Academy of
Sciences, Pioneer, Parrott, Spreckels, Don
ahue, Murphy, Phelan and numerous other
costly buildings; the Croker, Stanford,
Flood, Cotton, Hopkins and other private
mansions, are all the work of pioneers.
The Southern Pacific system and the cable
and electric roads were built by pioneers
In short, with small exceptions, the active
capital and the great enterprises and in
dustries of San Francisco are in the hands
of pioneers. If there had not been some
conditions peculiar to San Francisco we
may be sure that the enterprise which has
made Chicago so wonderful city would
have been put in operation here. 1t is in
an understanding and conquering of these
conditions that the hope of California and
the extension of the pioneers opportu-
mites for further achievements must be
found.
The opportunity for securing this free
dom has arrived. The Southern Pacific
Company is no longer regarded as an ogre,
and men are wondering why they were
ever afraid of its power. 1t is in the air
that all strong and independent men must
put shoulder to shoulder and march brave
ly onward. He who Lays in the rear will
win the contumely of his neighbors,
whether he be a pioneer or a newcomer,
and stragglers will be regarded as desert
ers. The heart of the people is beating
hopefully. If there is in this community
single pioneer who feels that these re-
marks are applicable to him, he will show
his wisdom by taking heed of the warning
which they convey.