The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-30
OUR THANKSGIVING DAY.

\AI United States, and chiefly those of California,
find in their conditions some special reason Tor
observing with genuine gratitude and sincere Joy the
annual festival OF Thanksgiving. 1t was even IN
the years OF financial panic industrial depression and
OF drought and in this year OF prosperity such
reasons are 10 be found every side, in every line
OF industry in all sections OF the State and in almost
every household.
At the present time the prosperity OF California de-
pends mainly upon the rural industries OF her people,
Tor as yet She is agricultural rather than
featuring or commercial community. 1t is TO the
farms therefore we have TO look for the basis of our
material good nor will we look in vain. Statistics
compiled by the California Fruit-grower in its annual
review OF the harvests OF the State abundantly show
forth the ourishng condition OF orr farms orchards
Vineyards hopheds and pastures. The shipments OF
California fruit, vegetable and vine products for the
calendar year 1893 So7S ten-on carloads in ex
cess OF those OF the previous year. and while the ship
ments OF this year cannot be exactly estimated, yet
Is certain they will far exceed those OF last year.
In TACT, the fresh fruit shipments which were made
up to October 81 show increase over those OF the
corresponding period OF last year OF 1874 carloads
making total up that date OF 6464 carloads and
giving reason TO believe that by the end OF the year
the fresh decduous fruit shipments alone will amour:
to about 5000 carloads.
When TO these shipments are added those of citrus
fruits OF dried and canned fruits and rasins and nuts
and wine, II will be that the grand total will be
something OF marvellous richness. Last year the
shipments 6o7S OF fresh fruit 4s2G cars OF
prunes 1870 cars OF dried fruits other than prunes
4o32 cars OF rasins. a6o2522 cases Of canned fruits
and vegetables. 1855 carloads OF oranges and
lemons. 6Io carloads OF almonds and walnuts 445oo
bales Of hops and 3S47 cars OF fresh vegetables To
he Of "a %
pounds. wool clip OF 2So63.24o pounds wine and
brandy production OF 2o,22S,ooo gallons and gold
output OF SI5.657.Qoo
Such were the shipments OF 1903 the year OF what
was known as season OF drought When the sum
total OF this year is made up the record will be sui
Gent TO encourage even the least sanguine. and,
moreover it is to be remembered that with the album
dant rains that have fallen the prospect OF the coming
year promises larger harvests still
The effect OF these abundant harvests is seen in the
strong condition OF the banks which carry on the
financial transactions OF our people In the last two
years the amounts in the banks due depositors have
increased by more than S5ooooooo showing that the
abundant revenues flowing into the State have
enabled the farmers and others not only TO pay off
large amounts OF mortgages but TO add to their sur
plus on deposit
With all this material prosperity there have come
class antagonisms OF the bad years have vanished
The people arc more harmonious and united in the
spirit OF enterprise and patriotism than ever be
fore. The time is clearly approaching when Caiior-
mans will work together with much zeal and har-
mony the jewellers in the older States and when the
most far-reaohing movements for the general good
can be undertaken with assurance OF success.
The cause OF higher education in the State has been
notably advanced during the year. The munifcent
endowment OF Stanford has been realized into for
tune make it the richest university in the
world. The State University has prospects even
brighter than Stanford, for. founded as it is upon
the wealth Of the State and supported literally by the
people il is only a matter OF time when growing
with the growth OF California il will far surpass any
institution founded upon a private fortune
Thus in the past year we have advanced from good
to better in all things which tend to the welfare OF
man. We arc not only richer than ever before but
our aspirations are.higher Our horizon has widened
before rs. A vaster commerce. buster industry a
higher culture, a patriotism than we have vet
known are OUTS. And before us every prospect is
bright. Along the whole horizon there is no cloud
OF gloom. Another year OF prosperity awaits our
energy and our thrift. and we would be lacking in
deed in appreciation OF the blessings that are ours
il failed to give thanks to-day in every form of
observance from charity to the poor and rejoicing
home that devout gratitude which is due to the
Almighty Giver OF ali good