California As It Is

The following is trom a letter written to Hugh T). Mars, of tliis city, by his brother-in-Iaw, W. A. Cbess, eashiér of the First National Bank at Monrovia, Cala., and gives our readers a very conservative view of the situation of things there. We quote the following paragraphs : "I received tlie Courier of August 21, containing a letter from one James P. Douglass, warning people to be eareful about breaking op in the east and coming to California. I wish to take exceptions to the general tone of his letter, bnt in sonie parts of it he speaks the truth, but the aim is to caution people againsts a supposed bad place. You know something of the country from former letters written you, but I wish to discuss the very points he makes, with fairness, for by your sending the marked copy it is implied that you want it discussed. 'If a man wants to come here and go to rauching, why he can make a living, perhaps something more, but even the average ranchman makes no more than a living.' This statement is probably true, but during these times there is no spot in America where ranchers are making money, barring exceptious. California ii not alone in this. 'The business field here is overcrowded to a tremendous extent,' This is true of most every town. Goods are sold here nearly as cheap as in the east and some business men fail here as in other places, but energetic business men make a living, some of the ui make money. 'And they take all clerical positions at vvages that will hardly keep body and soul together. They are content, if they barely exist.' This is true in some cases, but there are men and women here employed at good wages. When persons get to liking the country they will work cheap rather than leave it. 'Above all things don't come here expecting to get any clerical position, or anythingof that kind, the chances are a thousand to one agaiust you.' This is true if you are a stranger. It is true in any spot in America at the present time. 'People in the east who have comfortable homes and are doing even fairly well, should not think of giving up their good homes and coming here.' This is good advice, but to people who are barely existing in the east I vould say you can lose nothing by experiment for I had rather barely exist here than in the east. You see this man is smply telling you that times are hard here as well as in the east. Nobody denies that. When I come west I carne with the idea that I had, rather work for wages here than in Cassopolis, Mich. I think the same today. I'll teil you why I think so. Because the laboring man eau go on a picnic nearly ever}' Sunday in the year. It is nearly always fit weather for one to be out. I haven 't had my ears frozen since I left Michigan. The coal oil does not freeze in the lamps here, potatoes don't freeze if left on the kitchen porch all winter. Cally lillies do not freeze. Last winter the tomatoe vines did not freeze, yet it is c-ool and sometimes chilly every evening of the summer. My wife is shutting the doors now and says it is chilly. Mr. Douglass said nothing against the climate. He saved his bacon. You know what 1 had when I came here. I did not even have good heallh. I have lived as happy as human beings ever live and paid my bilis, but I have not got rich, probably never will. I now get $1,000 a year. I never could have got this salary in Cassopolis. There is no field there. There are too many others that want to remain by the old firesides. Some body must go west, and of course many come here who are disappointed. I am careful about advising people to come who are doing well in the east. for it is difficult for them to better themselves. I think you could make a living here. I am most sure of it. I think the chances in printing would be better than in other lines you named. I asked the editor of the Monrovia Messenger what pay good printers received and he saiil $hs'u week, but it is difiicult to get positions."