The record-union., 1897-02-18
NEED FOR \ STATE IMMIGRA-
TION DEPARTMENT.

A memorial was yesterday present
ed to the Governor by a committee of
the State Board of Trade in person,
which is published in full in another
column of this mornings Record
Union," that is of first Importance to
all the people of California.
1t will be recalled that last fall the
Consul-GeneraI of the English Govern
ment, residing in San Francisco, made
report to the Queen, representing
that for the most part California colo
nizatiOn schemes are fraudulent and
deceptive. The Crown indorsed and ap-
proved the report by transmitting it to
Parliament, and thus it became a State
paper, the influence of which will not
be limited to English-speaking peoples.
Upon this subject the memorial was
addressed to the Governor of Califor-
mia. In the outset it admits that there
is considerable justification for the in
dictment SO inimical to California. That
many deceptive schemes of colonial
ton have been and are promoted and
colonies induced to settle upon lands
that no intelligent Californian would
advise any one to occupy with a view
to success in home building, is con-
ceded.
But while it is true, unhappily, that
such schemes have been foisted upon
the foreign and the home public, as
we'll, the report to the British Govern
ment tended to greatly injure this
State~by casting doubt upon all immi-
grafton invitations, and all really ad-
vanU4geous and beneficial propositions
for settlement in the State, and is call
cuEated to injure all beneficent enter
prise and greatly retard the develop
ment of the natural resources of Cali
fornia. Indeed, the fact that the rep
RESERVATIONS have foundation in fact to
q. certain extent renders the case far
more difficult TO handle.
The memorialists therefore represent
ed that the case demands the applica-
tion of remedies, and since State inter-
ests are generally involved it is proper
that the State itself in it's official char
ncter undertake to apply the remedies.
1t is set forth in the memorial that
California has passed out of the condi-
ton wherein the prices for lands and
the possibilities Of cultivating the same
with profit and satisfaction are not CO.
related with the density of population.
-J.4t H.. Al.
volume Of the population is directly re-
lated to the value of lands. High prices
for desirable lands no longer rule; the
depressed condition of business has
eliminated false factors in valuations,
and we are confronted with the i'm
portant question, Are our conditions
such as 70 invite desirable population
that more densely settled sections in
vested with the advantages flowing
from sound moral, good educational
and commendable social conditions and
reasonableness of expectation Of reap
ing fair reward for investment. offer
to home seekers"
If the answer is in the negative, then
our invitation IS deceptive. But the
1nenAorialists believe that California Of
fers honest inducements, superior to
those of more densely settled regions,
and therefore 1t is commendable, nay
necessary. that these advantages be
fairly, firmly and unreservedly set
forth. and that 10 do this Is TO confer
inestimable benefits upon the common
wealth While the time was when in
fiated prices forbade expectation that
Investment by homeseekers would
bring them reasonable reward upon
their investment and enable them to
better their condition, which is inva-
riably the motive for all men who seek
rev homes that period has passed and
all the conditions incfting immigration
have improved.
But at this very time, when we had
most to hope for. the reputation of the
state has received serious injury. and
therefore the necessity for counteract-
ing it and applying remedies becomes