The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-29
QUESTION OF ANNEXATION
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(Col. f. A. Eastman has addressed
from Chicago letter to Capt. J. B. Ne
VILE, chairman of the executive com nit
tee on annexation, in which he argues
strongly for the annexation of the south
west suburbs to the city. He writes
largely from the standpoint of Chicago, u
city that has benefited immensely by au-
ding to itself new territory-nnd has BEN
Gifted the people OF the ad ded territory no
less. lie also makes prominent an inter-
esting passage OF Los Angeles that here
, tofore has not been noticed. Following is
the letter:)
1 hope that I shall not be regarded as
presumptuous in offering to submit to
the executive committee of the general
committee of one hundred on annexation
some arguments and suggestions bearing
on the subject of annexation that is now
unuer final discussion by the people con-
cerned. write from Chicago, but it may
appear as l proceed that that IS not an
objection. The lights of one city of SUI
peme enterprise should help to guide an
other city of notable enterprise on its for
| ward way.
The highly favorable notices of Los An
geles which from time to time, and with
increasing frequency, are appearing in
the newspapers of Chicago, are helping
perceptibly to extend and deepen the
great interest that heretofore has been
felt here III the rising metropolis of tae
new southwest, OF, as it is plainly seen
to be- the destined ruling city of the Pa
cfic coast.
Los Angeles is now almost universally
| conceded to be that great metropolis in
sure prospect. Its uninterrupted pros.
perity is known of the whole country.
| Its clearly recognized rapid advancement
is cht erfully applauded. 1t has in full
measure the good will of ali the people of
this land. 1t is the best-liked and most
eagerly visited of American cities.
To ascertain these positive facts most
satisfactorily, and to be able to weigh
them fairly. a citizen of Los Angeles
must needs absent himself from his home
for time and travel IN eastern regions
of our country or sojourn IN some great
eastern city. In every rural district Los
Angeles forms leading topic of inquiry
and discussion the year in and year out.
In every city between the mountain di-
vide and the Atlantic coast Los Angeles
is understood to be prodigy of growth
and a marvel of beauty. These being
everywhere accepted as lndisputable
facts, it is nowhere surprise to read in
| the special editions of tnaLo= Aaso1ns
| newspapers, and the occasional printed
reports of the city authorities, of what is
actually doing in our. city from molth to
month. in the various industries i n bank
ing and in new buildings. In Chicago
paper of this days issue is an editorial
on New Buildings in Los Angeles which
states on the authority OF the official re-
port that for August the building per
mits of Los Angeles were five times the
number of those III Denver; eight times
the number Of those in Omaha; twice the
number of those in Cincinnati; three
times the number of those in Minneap-
oils; ten times the mum Der of those in
Portland. Ore. Facts such as these. COM
ing forcibly to the knowledge of the uni
versal public put thousands hereaway to
thinking of changing their residence from
a section which affords but few oppor-
tunities for new enterprises to our Sec
ton, that abounds in opportunities for
energetic men of some capital. This
thinking is quickened by rejecting on the
known conditions of climAte-they would
flee from their own atrocions climate to
ours that is heavenly. The ready argu-
ment from hence is, that we of the city
and you of the SUBURBS should together,
anu lHlIu ulaleiy, pTepitTo 10 TeCelEe
new and still greater thrush of settlers,
that surely now is near the point Of en-
tering in at our beautiful gates. And
the way to prepare is to unity our now
separate territories and 10 harmonic our
civic interests under one municipal gov
eminent.
When the annexation movement was
first started some objected to it, that to
annex Vernon. University, the Harper
tract, Rosedale and Pico Heights would
too much enlarge the territory of the
city. Plainly this objection is not good
one. We have seen now much faster Los
Angeles Is growing than Denver. Now
Denver has forty-seven square miles and
Los Angeles only thirty-six, and when
tho impending annexation is accom-
plished Los Angeles will have but forty
four square miles, Like we have seen
the building permits for August is three
to one faster than that of Minneapolis,
and Minneapolis has iiftythree square
miles. The population of both these
cities is greater than that OF Los Angeles.
but after another year, probably, this
will not be said with truth.
1t is owing to an accident. it should be
remarked, that the territorial size of the
present Los Angeles does not approx
mate more closely to that Of Denver.
Shortly fore / was called away from |
home l made an inquiry of the secretary
sons that governed in the marking out of
the present boundaries of the city. The |
worthy secretary was not able to give me
much help towards my then object, but |
he did refer mo to Washington. whore he |
supposed certain documents were pre- |
served that should contain the needful
information. He mentioned a United |
States patent ceding certain lands to the
city. Lately | addressed a letter of in
quiry to friend in the department of
the interior concerning this matter, and |
have received from a clerk in the appro-
pirate bureau satisfactory reply. Hero
it is:
I'm reply to your letter of the ID inst. |
making inquiry in regard to the patent
issued by President Grant to the municipal !
authorities of Los Angeles, am only able |
to say that Il patent to the common coun-
ell OF the city of Los Angeles, Cal, for
what was known as the public lands, was
1875. 1t was attested by D. d. Cone. Sec
rotary, and l.. X. Lippincott, recorder of
the general land office. An Endorsement
on the patent shows that it was tarnsmit-
ted to the surveyor-general at San |
Francisco, August 8. 1875.
''As far as can be asceftained from the |
papers on file in this department, an act |
OF C ongress to ascertain and settle the |
private land claims in the state of Cali |
fornia was passed March B, 1851. On the
26ti of October, 1852, the mayor and the |
common council OF the city of Los Ange- |
les filed petition. apparently to have |
the lands around Los Angeles decided to |
them. No copy of this petition is attached |