The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-04-18
THE BOOMING OF ROME.


ilat NH ana examined Il map.
Name it-Rome," uSr2sted one of
them.
Rome" said another, doubtfully.
ut wasn't built in n day, you know. :"
Rome, Italy, was not, SAIL the first
speaker, but Rome, California, shall
be-"
Those who played the part of Romu-
lus, Remus and Celcr were the prcsi-
dent, vice president and treasurer of
the Glorious Climate Land and Water
company, Their names are not mate
rial, but conveniently to distinguish
them from one another we shall make
use of their titles, respectively general,
colonel and major. Gaice et decOrum est
TO serve ones country on the field of
battle, vanquishing her enemies and
upholding the honor of her flag. That
is one way to secure distinction and
military title. A somewhat simpler
method is to provide occasional drinks
and cigars for the gentlemen of the
press The pen is mightier than the
sword.
The major had been citizen of Los
Angeles one month he still sometimes
inadvertently said you when he
meant I'VE"
The colonel had two months longer
To his credit, and intended to run for
the office of county supervisor at the
next election.
The general was a veritable old
timer. lie had been living in Los
Angeles now nearly year.
Nobody knew whence they came.
There they were; that's all. In this
matter they were no worse off Tor shall
we say no BETTER than many others at
that same time and place, The gen
eral, for example, when he was intro.
duced to strangers had way of saying
in loud voice; Yes, sir. My name is
Bangs, sir And that was my name
before | came here Then he would
look progressively around, and it hap
pened not infrequently that of them
that heard him one or two would turn
little pale and east down their eyes.
All, whittier have they gone, those
Judges, comuodoreS and generals who
for Il brief time seemed to own the
town. Can it be that they are all in
Oklahoma?
The capital stock of the Glorious Gil
mate company was five millions of dol
lars, of which sum four hundred and
fifty dollars had been subscribed and
paid in. 1t was well known, however,
that the company was backed by a
powerful English syndicate. In those
days when man desired to enter upon
any little enterprise. such as building
a railroad, constructing n deep-water
harbor, or founding large manufac-
turing center, he would always take
care first to secure the backing of some
powerful English syndicate They were
always powerful; nobody ever heard of
weak one.
The only other assets of the Glorious
Climate company was document bear
ing the signature of a degenerate scion
of Il once illustrious Castiliau house
an option on piece of land favorably
located for town-Site
The general, for all that the seams of
his coat were shiny and his cuffs some
what frayed, carried about with him,
never theless, secret talisman. He
had pull with the railroad. The
information had como to him from
the inside" that the California or Bust
railroad (projectedl was TO pass direct
ly through the tract covered by their
option,
Believe in this railroad@ Well, they
knew the public did anyhow-the
dear, trustful public that always be-
lieves in things
The colonel had been a newspaper
man in his early days, and understood
the gentle art of working the press"
In a surprisingly short time, every body
in southern California knew that great
things We're in store for the new city
of Romc-there could be no doubt Oft,
because the newspapers said so,
On certain day in August the tract
was to be thrown ope n to the public in
Il grand auction. In the meantime a
few lots were disposed of at private
Sale-principally TO newspaper men,
public officials of high standing, rail-
way magnates, famous writers and ac-
tors
The major was 10 act as auctioneer.
He admitted to his partners that he
had never sold lots in his life, his
greatest efforts heretofore in the line
of misrepresentation having been linn
tied TO the trading of horses
The principle seems TO be about the
same, however" he said, Ask five
times what il is worth, and then take
whatever is offered"
He was a cool and easy speaker The
crowd, the music and the enthusiastic
cheering Of the cappers moved him to
extraordinary effort, MANY of those
who came TO scott remained TO buy.
No one was more aStoniShed at
the result OF the sale than the eonspira-
tors themselves. There was money
enough 20 transform the option into II
deed, pay all the debts of the company.
establish handsome bank account.
and NIL the pockets of all three with
coin.
So much prosperity terrified the
major, who anXiously inquired whether
they had not better divide up and bolt.
The Others laughed at his fears. They
had accomplished thus much with no
money at all, There was no limit To what
they could do now with reeStabliShed