The San Francisco call., 1895-12-31
THE CLOSING YEAR.

The wear which closes to-day was at its
birth hailed in California as the beginning
of a new era. The dominant sentiment
among the people and the conditions that
prevailed at the time were auspicious to
the best hopes. Men believed that better
times were at hand, and saw IN every cir
cumstance reason to justify that belief.
Therefore, they were buoyant and cheer
tul and entered upon the work OF the year
with a resolution to make 1t an epoch to
date from in the history of the State.
The new sense of confidence and hope
fulness born with the year was not long IN
making itself manifest in action. The
energies and enthusiasm of the people set
in motion a hundred efforts for improve
ment and reform. All sections OF the
State and all departments of industry
were stimulated. State pride and civic
patriotism expanded. Sectional antago-
nisms were outgrown. A broader COM
prehension of the greatness OF the COM
monwealth entered the minds OF the
people, and out of this grew true Cali
fornian patriotism and a deeper sense OF
the duty of each individual to advance, as
far as lay in his power, the welfare OF the
community in which he lives.
The central point of the new movement
was naturally enough in San Francisco.
Here the impulse was most keenly felt
and here the greatest effects were pro-
duced. A competing road through the
San Joaquin was devised, the money to
construct it promptly raised and the work
begun. A strong Manufacturers and Pro-
ducers' Association was formed TO advance
local industries. A Half-million Club was
organized to promote the general welfare
of the State and augment the City; Civic
Reform Association was formed to foster
municipal improvements and good gov
eminent. Through these and allied or
similar organizations hundred forms OF
work were undertaken, and throughout
the year the prevailing tendency OF indus
try. commerce and municipal administra-
ton was distinctly toward improvement.
It was not to be expected that every
thing undertaken would be accomplished
during the year. Some of the best move
ments for reform have been batf1ed and
almost checked. None the less has a
great deal been done. The sale of lottery
tickets has been largely suppressed. Several
corrupt street-paving jobs have been headed
off and killed. An attempt OF the South
ern Pacific Company to take forcible pos
session of a street for railway was de-
feated. The political bosses that for so
long time controlled the City have been
deprived of a large portion OF their evil
power, and some of their official tools
have been brought under the shadow of
indictments, and thereby frightened into
abandoning many a job they might other-
wise have carried through to the detri-
ment of the peoples welfare.
Along with what has been done to check
evil there has also been much to advance
the good. Many movement is now I'M
der way that will result in the attainment
Of great things for the City and the State.
The old year therefore leaves to the new
an honorable heritage. 1t is not one that
can be used in idlepess or made profitable
if left to the hands OF the weak or the
timid. There are difficult tasks to be done
and hard battles to fight. The coming
year, like that which goes, will be one of
stress and strain; bat there are omens of
victory in it for the strong and brave, and
therefore California can go forward with
confidence that what she has undertaken
that will she do.