The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-19
THE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE.

Such an awakening as has never oc-
Cured in California before is at last COM
ing upon our people. 1t is in no sense a
boom, that most pernicious form of self
deception, but the stirring of life that
has peen alternating these many seasons.
1t may not be consoling to the Southern
Pacific Company that it should justly
share the blame for the long slumber that
has bound our activities, or that a realiza-
ton of its broken strength may account in
large part for the vigorous reaction that
has set in. 1t may, if that will make its
understanding broader, ascribe this awak-
ening to its own decline, and then proceed
wisely to utilize its great forces IN securing
cooperation where it has hitherto encoun-
tered antagonism, and in helping where
| heretofore it has hindered.
1t is pleasant to know that sectional
iealousies in the State are disappearing,
and more cheering still to observe that the
capitalists of San Francisco at last have
faced the problem that the prosperity of
the interior of the State is essential to the
growth of San Francisco. The determine
ton of our best, ablest and most public
spirited capitalists to build a railroad
through the San Joaquin Valley is suffi-
cient evidence of the fact But splendid
as this achievement will be, it has a bear
ing far beyond. 1t means that the i'm
portance of the whole subject of Califor-
MAS development is understood
For many years the interior has com
planned bitterly, and with considerable
justice, because San Francisco refused to
lend her money for the development of the
States resources. 1t would have been a
happy thing for the people if our capital
lists long ago had consented to lend money
on wines, which thus might have been
kept till they were fit for marketing and
able TO make a great reputation for the
State. In many other ways the money of
San Francisco could have been wisely and
safely employed III the interior The rail
road companies deserve far more credit
for efforts to develop the State and increase
its population than our people can claim.
They have spent outright thousands OF
dollars in this cause where we have tim
idly lent one.
The determination to build the valley
road means undoubtedly a willingness to
open the purse strings for other purposes
equally commendable and useful The
| country banks all along have shown a
faith in their local enterprises that reflects
generously on their intelligence and pub
lie spirit, and that should have served as
an example and an inspiration to San
Francisco. They have carried heavy bur
dens that enterprise on the part of San
Francisco might have rendered unneces-
sary- The grit of the leading spirits in the
valley road enterprise is not new and
| sudden gift. 1t has been manifested be-
fore in the establishment of great enter
prises which have given occupation to
| thousands of operatives and farmers in the
interior, and which have added substan-
tally to the prosperity and population OF
the State. They know by experience how
great are the benefits which accrue from
such course, and no man can err in fol-
lowing the example which they have set.