The record-union., 1897-02-18


sense the official expression of that
Government.
Unfortunately for our State, the
structures contained in the document
have for the most part degree of JUS
tification III the facts of the case. There
are now offered on the markets colony
lands in which no intelligent Califor-
nian would invest. They are addressed
to foreign ignorance and designed only
for the attention and patronage Of
those whose lack of information makes
them easy victims of dishonest immi-
grantiOn schemes. 1t is no part of the
present purpose in addressing you to
present or expose these schemes. We
therefore content ourselves by the dec
laratiOn of facts, for the Verification
of which we have ample evidence. The
situation herein outlined calls for re-
medal measures.
In the first instance, the representa-
ton made by the Consul General Of
Great Britain and it's official indorse-
ment by the sovereign of that country
is condemnation which, while intend
ed only for the condemnation of fraudu-
lent schemes, will necessarily be extend
ed in it's effect to the most benefcent
and advantageous enterprises
California, Notwithstanding its age,
is country of large extent occupied
by relatively small population. Our
condition is such as to make a REIN
fOrcement of our capital and population
most desirable. We have natural re-
sources which, when developed, will
prove a rich reward to enterprise and
intelligently directed capital But our
representations concerning these re-
sources and our presentation of the in
ducements they offer is now very
broadly discredited throughout the
world
If these representations We're wholly
false; if they had no foundation in fact
the case would be different; but unfor-
tunately the evidence that many fraud
ulent schemes have been projected and
have resulted disastrously to those who
were deceived by them, gives not only
color but demonstration Of fraud which,
as already indicated, will attach to all
representations which may be made on
behalf of our commonwealth.
REMEDIES DEMANDED.
This situation demands remedies
The first of these is to establish some
instrumentality of an official character
which Will expose and den1unce the
projectors of fraudulent and deceptive
colonization undertakings. In the next
instance, the ordinary unofficial meth
DDS of the defense OF the State against
the broader differences of the charges
already made and in part substantiated
i1in +lon ,,NIa Iasln,1
of the purpose.
In times past the price of land in
California has been high. The richest
fruit lands in the State have been held
at prices which no use to which they
might be devoted would justify. The
general farming lands OF the State
were held at prices which forbade all
expectation of a reasonable return upon
the capital invested.
These conditions have passed away.
California in the past has presented an
example wherein the price of its real
estate was not correlated with the densi-
ty Of population. In all countries there
has been a fixed relation of value be-
tween the soil, the original source of all
wealth. and the density of population
occupying the country embracing that
soil. California for a long time ap-
paared to be an exception to this rule
but it is no longer 50. Very high prices
for the farming and fruit lands of
California are no longer obtainable, nor
even asked. The depressed state of
business throughout the world has
wrought its perfect work in California
in the direction of eliminating false fac
tors in all valuations The average
value Of all classes of agricultu tural land
in California is not to-day 80 per cent.
Of that placed upon it during the de-
cade between 1880 and 1890
X SILVER QUOTATION.
Men forego home ties, break up home
/ relations, sever themselves from kim
dred and from friends only because
they believe they can better their con-
dttion. financially. morally and social
| ly. The sober question which confronts
Us in inviting a reinforcement Of our
population Is: Do the conditions of
! California, in the financial, education
! al, religious. moral and social aspects
! offer superior Inducements to those ex-
listing in the more densely settled p0r-
| tons of our country? If they do not,
! then In the very incipiency of the case.
/ an invitation extended to people to
/ break their home ties and become citi-
ztns Of cur commonwealth is IN It's ma
! tuIe Il decs ptton.
! We vino aGdl ess you in this com-
| muatcatiGn and the organization We
| represent believe that California offers
! inducements superior to those of many
! more densely ssttled countries, and en-