The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-22
STOOKTON'S ATTRACTIONS.

In Saturdays issue of the CALL appeared
review of the material conditions which
have operated to make Stockton important
not only as the natural entrepot of the San
Joaquin Valley, but also conspicuous by
reason of the intelligent work of her res
idents in utilizing the many natural re-
sources which belong to the city itself. In
an article of that kind the limitations on
the purpose of the writer necessarily ex-
Guided some matters which deserve separ-
ate consideration.
The friendly contest which arose between
Stockton and San Jose to decide which
should secure the initial route of the peo-
pies railroad from San Francisco to the
San Joaquin Valley found Stockton in the
enjoyment of peculiar natural advantages.
San Jose made generous bid for the road,
and doubtless will secure part OF the line
in good time. Stockton's great advantage
is that it stands at the head of navigation
of the San Joaquin River, and hence at the
natural point where the products OF the
San Joaquin Valley, on their way to the
markets of the world, find water transport
tation. 1t is easily supposable that If
Stockton, years ago, had constructed rail
line of its own on however cheap and prim-
tive scale up the San Joaquin Valley for
any considerable distance, or had con-
structed canal in or alongside the San
Joaquin River, it would have been the
leading interior city of California. In
such position it would have been the
agent, both in receiving and distribut-
ing capacity, of the great industrial inter-
ests running into and issuing from the val
ley. And as the valley under that stimu-
lus would have developed with great rap
idity we long ago should have had vast
interior empire to whose treasures Stock
ton would have held the keys.
At this late day-at day so late that it
is wonder the opportunity still exists
the golden apple has fallen in Stockton S
path. 1t will never be of any great con-
Germ to it if there is or is not rail commune
cation with San Francisco. 1t is true that
such communication now exists, and that
it will be doubled in time by the construc-
ton of the Valley road; but so long as
Stockton has the San Joaquin River to the
bay, no matter how tortuous and shallow
it may be so long as it is navigable by
steam, that city must always and newt
ably remain the key to the San Joaquin
Valley, and must always represent in its
size and prosperity the extent of develop
ment in this great valley. Even a road by
way of San Jose could not cut off from
Stockton a splendid territory capable of
supporting more that a million persons.
The San Joaquin River will always re-
main a priceless possession, for its presence
necessarily prohibits any permanent mo-
nopoly of transportation to the sea.
The intelligent residents of Stockton
seem at last to have grasped the glowing
possibilities of their city. No conceivable
adverse fate can now overtake it, and its
future prosperity is largely matter under
its own control. That is to say, whatever
adventurous circumstances may contribute
to its growth, such as the independent de-
velopment of the valley, every achievement
in that direction accomplished by its own
efforts will be an addition to its own pros
perity.