The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-10
AN INVITING OPPORTUNITY.

1t has not been many years since that
peculiar Institution, the promoter" came
into existence as leading and distinctive
factor in the development of industries and
resources. The highest type of the pro-
moter is he who finds opportunities and
induces capitalists to embrace them, and
who organizes capitalists into a working
company. An inferior, but none the less
useful type, is he who secures only one
capitalist for an enterprise.
The promoter is necessarily an adyen-
turer, but whether he is a good adven-
turer or bad makes all the difference
with his responsibility, for an honest ad-
venturer Is one of the most benifcent of
modern institutions. That the tempta-
tons to knavery which accompany the pro-
fession of promotion are innumerable and
urgent, and that some of the smoothest
rascals are promoters, are not valid argu-
ments against the usefulness and honor
able character of the business. The first
of the brilliant promoters to which the
enterprise and resources of the United
States gave birth were those whom Cali
forDia sent to Europe for capital with
which to develop the rich mines of the
West. Some of these were rank swindlers,
acting as agents for equally unconscion-
able rascals at this end; but it was largely
due to the efforts of honest, intelligent and
persistent promoters that European cap
ital found SO many profitable avenues of
investment in the West, and that the de-
velopment Of the country was so rapid and
wholesome.
These remarks are preliminary to the
Al,,4 l. g,
resources in California yet to be deveI-
oped, there is no more enticing opportun-
ity for the exercise of the legitimate
promoters abilities than that which exists
here and now. The ambitious and brainy
young man of no means who chafes under
the restraints of clerical position, who
has that faith in himself which must be
the foundation of all success, and who has
a fair education, a shrewd wit and great
pluck and energy, can secure higher bene-
fits for himself by accepting this oppor-
tunity than would be possible in any other
honest way.
Given the requisite personal qualifica-
tons, all that is necessary is for him first
to look about and discover an opening for
the profitable use of capital, induce those
in local command to trust to his energy
and earnestness, and then seek capital
wherever it exists. There are thousands
Of enterprises in the interior of California
in which San Francisco capitalists could
make profitable investment, and it is the
special function of promoters to bring OPP
portunity and capital into contact. Or, if
1t should be assumed that the capitalists
OF San Francisco lack the adventurous
spirit that has made Chicago so great, a
visit to Chicago might prove profitable +;
and SO the field of operations mis- ht be in
definitely enlarged.
1t is best as rule that the promoter
confine himself to one line of operations
and thus secure superior experiences, and
to have in hand only one scheme of pro-
motion at time. We do not know of anv
other honest and useful way in which
money may be made SO largely and SO
rapidly. The details of the business are
infinite in their range, character and