The herald., 1895-03-03

When we arrived here the season was at
its best and the country charming IN ap-
pearance. There was very little busine{
carried on, however, aside aside, from d ssock
The great body of immigrants, both W
land and water, entered California in th6
central part of the state. Even OF those
who came this way overland very rev re-
manned here; the upper portion OF the
state, where the mines We're locateu, was
the point OF attraction. While waiting
for an opportunity to go north formed
the accuaintance Of several OF the Eng
Iish-speaking residents of Los Angeles.
Among those | particularly remember
was Don Abel Stearns as he was called,
who was one of the leading men here.
He had acquired large landed interests
and married in one OF the prominent
Spanish families had been alcalde ana
held other offices under the OLD feglile,
and was a member OF the first constitu-
tionai convention. B. d. Wilson was an
other; he afterwards, represented this
lawyer from Missouri, had Just arrived
here by the ella route; had opened law
office already. and wished me to remain
and go into practice with him. He was
subsequently district judge OF this judicial
district This place at the time was still
small Spanish pueblo and gave no.
promise of much growth i'll the im-'
mediate future.
The great BODY of population drawn
here by che discovery of gold, settled in the
central and northern portions OF the state.
The upper portion portion oi the Estate, state was was
cities built Every branch OF enterprise
was developed mining, commerce and
agriculture-while these southern coun-
ties remained in nearly the. same condi-
ton as before the acquisition OF the state.
Cattle and horses covered the plains, but
, no ~ this spptinp
other respects, were undeveloped, and IN
fact its capabilities were not then realized.
Nearly everything, aside from live stoU4,
was shipped here from San Francisco.
Owing to their meagre population these
counties were hardly taken into account
in the political conventions and other
matters concerning the state. They were
referred to as the Cow counties, not SO
much by way of derision as expressive OF
the pastoral pursuits of the people. This
condition of things continued so long
that it is difficult, even at this late day,
for the old-timers of the upper portion
of the state to realize that a change has
taken place down here. However, it is
beginning to dawn on them that this sec
ton has taken on new life and is forging
ahead in population, wealth ana enter
prise at a rate that threatens to catch up
with them, and il they do not bestir
themselves may outstrip them in the race.
One word In reference to the pioneers
and this paper closes. So much of the
Bret Harte style of fashy literature has
been written concerning the early Cali
fornians that their true character has been
misunderstood by those not acquainted
with the real facts. 1t is true there were
many adventurers and lawless characters
as in other new states and territories, but
in no greater proportion. The mass OF the
early population was composed OF law
abiding and enterprising people. Most OF
49, %a1 .~>A sod al
the elements that go to make up good citi-
zenship. As is we'll known, Congress
failed to establish a territorial government
here or even to pass an enabling act Tor
the creation of a state government. The
people were left, as it were without any
throughout the mining regions, life and
property were as safe as in most older
states. OF their own motion a constitu-
ton for a state government was framed
and adopted which in many respects was
a model. State officers and legislature
were ELECTED, laws passed and judges and
other officers appointed and elected to en-
force them. In fact, the whole machinery
OF a state government was put in opera
ton before Congress came to our relief
by admitting the state, which was not
until the 9th of September, 1850. The
land grants Congress had made to the
newer states for the purpose OF internal
improvements was, by a provision in our
constitution, diverted to the cause OF
education, which was ratified by the ad-
mission of the state into the Union.
Provision was also made for the early
founding of state university The laws
of our early legislatures were, in many
respects far in advance OF those of the
other states, and have been since followed
by many of them, for instance, that in
reference to the rights of married women,
reform in judicial procedure, and many
other questions. In learning and ability
the early bench and bar ranked high.
Many new and important questions arose
in this state growing out of the mining
industries and the Mexican and Spanish
grants, and the decisions of our early
courts in solving these and other ques-
tions compare favorably with those Of the
higher courts of the rest of the country
AS merchants, business men, and in all
the various walks OF life, the early ,pi-
oneers were not behind their brethren in
other states. But their work in founding
this state and shaping its institutions is
their best eulogy; they need no other.