Amador ledger., 1903-06-26
TO ADVANCE AMADOR INTER.
ESTS.

that is agitating the people in diff
ferent parts of the county That
we have region favored to re-
markable degree by nature is con-
ceded not only by our permanent
population, but also by transient
visitors. Surprise is expressed that
a county so richly endowed is not
developed to far greater degree.
And the question is asked, Why is
it? Have we been apthetic in the
matter, while other sections have
offered inducements to the home
builder, and have as result left US
far behind in the race of progress?
Have we depended too much upon
our gold mines? The auriferous
quartz belts are unique sources of
wealth not to be duplicated else
where. Possessing these, and know
ing that such deposits will attract
capital to exploit them according to
their extent and reputed richness,
have we not, in a self satisfied way,
depended upon these natural reser-
voirs of gold to bring us to the front
without any extra exertion on our
part. Doubtless there has been too
much of this spirit manifested. The
result has been disappointing, as it
always will be under like conditions.
We have moved along at the old
gait, content if the decline of the
mining industry at one point was
Offset by the rise of the industry at
another point. Hence, we have
simply remained stationary. The
population is no larger to-day than
it was ten years ago. Our resources
are as undeveloped as they were two
decades back.
We merely call attention to these
things so that the remedy may be
sought out and applied. We have
made little headway, for the simple
reason that we have done nothing
to that end. Other sections have
forged ahead in population and ma
terial wealth, because they have
made an effort to do So The tide of
immigration to California, of the
home-seeking class, within the last
few years, has been unparalleled
since the early days of gold excite
ment. They have settled by thous-
ands and tens of thousands in places
far less attractive than Amador.
Amador county has reputation for
gold production. The prevailing
idea on the outside regarding a
mineral region, is that it must nee
essarily be uninviting TO the average
home-seeker. AS a general rule,
that idea is not without some founda-
tion of truth. 1t does not apply to
Amador county, nor indeed to any
of the footbill counties of this state.
Nevertheless, that notion is the pop-
ular one, and we have suffered from
this, perhaps to a far greater ex-
tent than might have been the case
if persistent and well-directed efforts
had been made to correct it.
The valley counties are making
strenuous efforts to attract immi
grafton. The Sacramento valley
counties have organized as de-
velopment association. The eastern
states are being flooded with liter
ature setting forth the attractions
of this great valley. A portion of
Amador county is embraced within
the Sacramento valley, and it is as
fertile and inviting as any part of
that great alluvial basin. But we
are not identified with the develop
ment association referred to. Con-
sequently even the capabilities of
the valley portion of our county are
ignored in the maps and literature
which are being circulated broad
cast by the promotion committee.
Amador county does not figure on
their map. 1t is men toned in the
literature only as producer of gold,
marble and other minerals. And
the people of Amador county, and
the local government, have made
not the slightest effort to correct
such injurious misrepresent tation
abroad. The Sacramento Associa-
tion is not to be blamed for this.
They are advertising the claims of
the counties which have contributed
money for that purpose. They
could not be expected to spend their
means in extolling other sections.
Let the other sections take care of
themselves, and form an advertising
bureau of their own, is the position
they take.
Along the borders of Amador, in
the vicinity of Gait, landowners are
offering to settlers deed of gift to
one-half the number of acres planted
to fruit trees or vines rs soon as
Il