The herald., 1896-09-04
OUR PROGRESS UNCHECKED

The renewal Of interest in the long
discussed railroad to Salt Lake City
has made 1t possible for many of our
citizens to drop for moment the en-
crossing topic Of politics. Democrats.
Populists. Republicans. Prohibitionists
and Free Silver Republicans can all
agree as to the immense impetus which
such a road would give to the develop
ment of our already highly favored Sec
tion. Those who have lived for a decade
In Southern California and have paid
comparatively little attention to the
condition of affairs in other portions Of
the country are apt to overlook our ad-
vantages, or at least fail to fully appre-
ciate them. We are accustomed to talk
of hard times" but the nearly uni
versal testimony of observing visitors
is to the effect that during the past two
years no city of its size in the United
States has enjoyed degree of prosper
ity comparable with that of Los An
geles. It's rapid growth has excited the
wonder of those who have seen stagna-
tion in almost every other direction.
Trade has been active. and commercial
travellers have come to consider this
of a most desirable character, has been
constant and increasing. Notwith-
standing the lack of rain last winter,
which has brought temporary hardship
to many of our farmers, there has
hardly been a check in our advance.
There is no mystery about all this.
We have only to glance at the many
favorable conditions peculiar to this
portion Of the country to find abundant
reasons. First, probably, is our un-
equaled climate. We so soon become
accustomed to the bright sunlight anu
mild temperature that we forget the ice,
snow, sleet and blizzards Of winter,
and the cyclones and prOstrating heat
of summer, as those seasons recur in
most other states of the union. 1t IS
small wonder that those who actually
experience such extremes look with
longing eyes to country free from
them, and come. If for only q few
months, to escape them. Some weeks
since the writer met the proprietor Of
a country hotel which has we'll earned
reputation as a winter resort. He
stated that he had already made all the
engagements he wished for next season,
and was daily declining new applica-
tions for rooms This is but an indica-
tion of the tide Of travel which may
be confidently expected next winter.
These tourists, generally prepared to
pay well for anything they want. an
nIally turn into circulation a large
amount of ready money, quickening
trade in every direction.
The climate also draws host of home
seekers, each bringing with him capital
small, perhaps, in many Individual
cases, but large in the aggregate.
The improvement by the government
Of San Pedro harbor will furnish en-
ployment for many Of our people. This.
however. will be the least Of many ad-
vantages of that great enterprise. The
revival of the Salt Lake railroad project
is, doubtless, due in some measure to
the assured prospect of deep sea har-
bor near Los Angeles. In any event,
the construction Of that harbor can he
confidently counted upon to make this
city the terminus of another transcon-
tinental road. Southern California un-
Questionably owes some measure of its
prosperity to the advantage of railroad
competition; an advantage which no
other part of the state possesses. No
one can doubt the beneficial effect OF
still further competition.
We might go on indefinitely and note
in detail the products of our farms. or
chards and mines. the development Of
our manufacturing interests, the possi-
bilities and probabilities of the beet
sugar industry to which this section is
peculiarly adapted, and an infinite va
riety of other influences all tending to
assure the steady future growth Of Los
Angeles and the surrounding country.
The factors of prosperity are certainly
present on every hand, and 1t is doubt
full if any other community can look
forward with such certainty to bril-
liant future.