The record-union., 1897-02-18

a matter of first State Importance
With a view to these ends the memo
rialists of the State Board of Trade ad-
dressed the Executive Of the State yes
terday and asked him to advise the
Legislature that these two arms of the
Government shall be extended in de-
tense Of State reputation and interests.
1t was suggested that a means to the
end in view might we'll be found in the
erection of a State Commission of
immigration, the office OF which shall
be to protect the State and it's people
from the injurious results of the pro-
migration and colonization schemes,
and to undo, so far as can be done, the
injurious effects flowing from such Of
ficial representations as have been
made by its representative to the Eng
lish Government
1t would seem that this memorial
which should be read in full that it's
gravity and Importance may be fully
comprehended, points the way to
remedy that should be at once applied.
At the very best we cannot hope to
wholly undo the injury already inflicted
at least, not until after considerable
lapse of time; but a commission such as
that suggested would be an instrument
capable of comforting lasting and meal
culable benefits upon California. Lifted
out of political grooves, placed in the
| hands of men above reproach and of
administered with absolute fearless
ness and unsparing justice, it would
prove a death dealing instrumentality
to all nefarious and illusory schemes
| promoted for unscrupulous gain to the
| injury Of the whole people. At the same
time it's Endorsement and approval of
worthy offerings would amount to
guarantees that would inspire conf
dence among strangers and invite to US
| the population, intelligence, energy and
thrift and capital wisely used, of
W AAANAA AAiC hotcNAC AO4 40 ACiI dCNCiOP-
| ment stands in need.
There is popular distrust of commits
sions and multiplication of such agen-
cies, but as the Executive is reported to
have said the duty that would be i'm
| posed upon an immigration commission
can well be given in charge to some
ioI
the State Board of Agriculture, as ad-
Vised by the Governor. That body is
representative, unsalaried and suffi-
ciently large and we'll balanced to pre-
clude any thought of misuse of its pow
ers. 1t is already a statistical and me-
THEOLOGICAL as well as an agricultural
bureau, and is therefore admirably
adapted to take on this new duty, which
would also have the effect of giving it
more Of dignity and public Importance.
1t is to be hoped, therefore, that in
tion taken as will meet the necessities
of the case. Assuredly the State of
California cannot afford by silence to
give Endorsement to that which, while
in part true, is sweeping in its appl-
cation when accepted by people in dis
tant lands, who have no adequate
means Of informing themselves in
way to enable them to discriminate be-
tween false and true representation.
The matter is therefore one of ex-
ceeding gravity and high Importance. 1t
cannot well be postponed for two years.
If that is done the injury the State has
already received will more deeply af-
feet all interests, and be the more diff
ficult of eradication. Happily, we are
not without examples to guide us. Other
States and countries have erected sim
liar agencies, both i'm protection and
promotion of home interests. and there
is no record of such influences havins
proved in practice other than beneG-
cent