208 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



here. Tlie cliinaie presents every possible attraction that can be ima- 

 gined. It is salubrious and invii;-oratini>;, and adapted to the profluction of 

 iiiany things only known to lower latitudes in other parts of the woi'ld. 

 Italia cannot boast of skies more serene than our genial and glowing 

 summers present — tliesc summers that make this emphatieall}' the land 

 of the tig, the grape, the olive, and the pomegranate, and ripen even the 

 orange in some localities. The evenings are most charming, and more 

 than redeem the etfects of the heat during the day. In this gorgeous 

 Yalley of tiie Sacramento, the cool breezes plaj'ing alternatelj^ from 

 the ocean and the snow-capped summits of the Sierra and the Coast 

 Bange Mountains, refresh and purify tlie air, and render the ni^-hts and 

 nioi-nings, as well as evenings, delightful beyond description. No person 

 probably ever came to California and went awa}^ without desiring to return 

 and enjoy again the beauties of the climate. Those who have left with 

 the intention of remaining away permanently, are almost sure to come 

 back again. They will tell you that no one can fully appreciate the cli- 

 mate here, and its nianj' advantages, until he has left it and attempted to 

 live in another. The contrast then becomes glaring, and invariably 

 inclines them back to this land of sunshine and pleasant prospects. 



But I will not deny that, with all these advantages of fertility, salu- 

 brity, fruitlulness, and many more impossible for me now to specify, 

 there is room for vast expansion, and a tield that would require the labor 

 of millions, to develop. All that is wanted is a market for what we can 

 produce, and an abundance of skilful and intelligent labor. If we could 

 sell everything we could produce here, the labor would naturally flow in 

 this direction and fill the vacuum ci-eated by the demand for production. 

 As it is, there are many causes which tend to postpone the attainment 

 of all that we desire, and which addi-ess themselves to every one whose 

 hopes and prospects are identified with the Pacific coast. It is not wise 

 to bask always in the sunshine, and contemplate onlj^ the bright side of 

 the circumstances that surround us. pjven in the most favored lands 

 there are clouds that overcast the skies, l)ut unveiled briii-htness is beam- 

 ing at)ove them. Labor is the great desideratum of the Pacific States 

 and Territories. We must have a greater population to sujiply that 

 labor. Business becomes at times so dull, and monc}- so scarce, that we 

 can hardly pay our ta.xes, much less our debts, and find means to expend 

 in improvements. Our seasons, in the o])inion of some who aie not 

 acquainted with all the circumstances and conditions, are too wet, or too 

 dry 5 and millions of acres, only arid and apparently sterile, the}- imagine 

 to be worthless. Another drawback to our pi-osperity is, they say, there 

 is a large number of non-producers. They are found all over the country, 

 on the ranches, in the saloons of our towns and cities, almost everj-where. 

 As they ai-e not inclined to work, they must of necessity live off the 

 hibor of those who do work. These are some of the clouds that lower 

 in ouy horizon. 



In answer to all these evils, I must be ])ermitted to state that no 

 country upon cai'th, not even our beautiful and lovely California, is free 

 from impei-fections. The world was not made, finished, and ready to be 

 enjoyed, without the labor of intelligent beings to do what nature left 

 nnddiie and desioncd for them to do. I know there are many idle people 

 in California, who do not ])i'vtend to work at all, and some who (io pre- 

 tend, scai'cely more than half work. I do not believe there are any of 

 that sort here, because such people would not have enough ambition to 

 get hei'e. The wai-in climate, and the little labor requisite to obtain the 

 necessaries of life, do. no doubt, invite to itileness. Now, I can speak 



