USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol I > Part 15
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In 1889 Mr. de Young's interest in World's Fairs began, he being ap- pointed in that year as commissioner from California to the Paris Exposition. Afterwards he became a member of the National Commission for the World's Fair at Chicago, and he was chosen vice-president of that commission and placed on the board of control. His perceptive faculty and ability to dispatch business quickly were shown in these positions. Then he conceived the plan of the California Midwinter International Exposition, the project being announced by him on May 31, 1893, at Chicago. The exposition opened in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, on January 1, 1894, and, to the surprise of those who deemed the undertaking rash, it proved a success under Mr. de Young's direction, over $1,260,000 being taken in and a surplus being left after the payment of all expenses. Subsequently he was appointed by the
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governor as Commissioner-General to represent California at the Omaha Trans-Mississippi Exposition and in 1900 President Mckinley named him as a member of the National Commission to the International Exposition at Paris. He was chosen president of this National Commission by his asso- ciates, and the president of France conferred on him the decoration of the Legion of Honor.
The last service rendered by Mr. de Young as a member of a public body was in 1903, when President Roosevelt visited California. He was chosen chairman of the committee of citizens that arranged for the reception and entertainment of the president in San Francisco, and after the president's departure the committee tendered Mr. de Young a dinner at the Palace Hotel, and there presented him with a loving cup, bearing this inscription: "A souvenir from the Citizens' Executive Committee to the Hon. M. H. de Young, in acknowledgment of his executive ability and the masterly and successful manner in which he handled the functions given in honor of the visit of President Roosevelt to San Francisco, May, 1903."
Appreciation of the Chronicle proprietor was also shown by the Interna- tional League of Press Clubs, which first elected him as its governor and then as its president.
The following story of the San Francisco Call's origin and development was written by Mr. Hugh M. Burke, of the Call editorial staff, who is one of the most competent and best known editors on the Pacific coast.
Fair knowledge of a newspaper's influence in the upbuilding of a state may be found in the history of the San Francisco Call. This journal was founded by practical newspaper men who had a true estimate of the value of enterprising service in the collection and presentation of news, but who still possessed appreciation of the fact that a newspaper owes something more to the public than is ordinarily paid for in the publication of news. The obligation of the press to stand for the rights of the people and to promote the moral and national advancement of the state was full recognized by the able founders of the Call.
The first number of the Call was issued December 1, 1856, by Peter B. Foster, Lew Zublin, J. J. Ayers, Charles F. Johnson and W. L. Carpenter. It gained public confidence at the outset because the people had faith in the char- acter and integrity of its founders. Subsequently ownership of the paper was
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acquired by Loring Pickering, George K. Fitch and J. W. Simonton. The prosperous career of the paper under the management of these capable men demonstrated beyond doubt that the people had faith in their judgment and confidence in their integrity. January 8, 1895, John D. Spreckels purchased the Call. The people of California had long regarded Claus Spreckels as the foremost citizen of the state in the field of industrial expansion, and the in- telligence that a representative of his family had purchased the famous news- paper property was received with a felling akin to joy. The elation did not spring from any sense of distrust of the preceding management, but had its source in the profound belief that John D. Spreckels had the strength in re- serve as well as the determination in hand to achieve for San Francisco, what the people had so long and earnestly desired-the building of a competing trans-continental railway.
A history of journalism in California would be incomplete without ref- erence to the fact that every journal which up to that time had proclaimed with spirit and vigor for the construction of another railway line across the conti- nent had been silenced or driven from the field of newspaper prestige. The first comment on the change in all circles was something of this meaning : "Now we will get a competing railroad. Spreckels will win the fight if he has to build the road himself." The battle for the people was fought and won. Public sentiment in favor of the competing enterprise which the Call awakened and strengthened had a powerful influence in the accomplishment of the great achievement.
Extension of the Call news service, purchase of improved mechanical equipment of the plant, and the installation of an Art department were subjects that at once engaged the attention of Mr. Spreckels upon his acquisition of the famous newspaper property. The establishment was removed from its old home on Clay street into a building on Stevenson street, near Third and Market. A large and rapidly increasing circulation demanded additional press facilities, hence new presses of the most approved style were added to the plant. The Art Department of the Call was placed under the direction of competent artists and means were provided to render the department of illus- tration complete and modern in every detail. The Call is recognized far and wide as the best illustrated daily newspaper in the United States. The news service of the Call is probably not surpassed in the world. Agencies es-
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tablished on the Pacific coast when J. W. Simonton was at the head of the Associated Press continue to supply the paper with news. The Call holds a regular franchise in the Associated Press, the great news-collecting agent of the world. Exclusive right to a special service of world-wide renown is also maintained.
The Call possesses one advantage as a news collector which perhaps no other paper in the United States holds. In every city of the globe the vast commercial and shipping interests of the Spreckelses are represented by a resident agent. It occasionally happens that the agent gets information hours ahead of the most alert special correspondent. As an illustration of news- paper enterprise the incident cited that the Call displayed a bulletin announc- ing the practical declaration of war by Japan two days before the reception of the news through the ordinary channels. One of the local achievements brought by the paper was on the occasion of the return of the First California Regiment from the scene of war in the Philippines. The Marconi System of wireless telegraphy was employed to signal the coming of the transport. Op- erators of the system were placed aboard a ship stationed outside the Heads, one of the signals was flashed through the fog to receiving instruments at the Cliff House. In this manner the immediate home coming of the transport Sherman was made known to the legions assembled in San Francisco to cele- brate the event some time before the ship was sighted by the lookout of the Merchants' Exchange. The San Francisco Call gave to the reading constitu- ency of the Pacific coast the first accurate account of the battle in Manila Bay. The graphic description of the engagement was wired by special correspond- ent Stickney, who was aboard Admiral Dewey's flagship Olympia throughout the memorable battle.
The Call published exclusively the first intelligence given to the civilized word of the great Samoan battle in which American and British marines were ambushed and slain by the native warriors. The special message of 200 words was cabled from Auckland to San Francisco at a price approximating $2.00 a word. The special correspondent was a purser of the Oceanic Steamship Company.
The Call has always taken an active interest in political affairs. The owner of the paper is a Republican of the independent type, but he reserves the right to resist the election of an unworthy nominee of his own political
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faith. He has represented the Republican party in the state and national con- ventions and has served as the representative of California in the Republican national convention. The political alignments and conditions in California have at times been somewhat peculiar. Contests within a party have been of greater significance than battles between the leading political parties, one aligned against the other. A record of journalistic achievements or events cannot be fairly made without reference to the memorable campaign con- ducted at Sacramento by the San Francisco Call in 1899. Those people of the state that were elated over the prospect of industrial emancipation urged the Call to enter the battle for political freedom. The state had just gone Republican by a large majority and the acknowledgment of the Call's able leadership in the fight was universal. Then came at once an expression of public sentiment or a spontaneous demand that the members of the legislature representing the dominant party should be guided by the judgment of the voters, rather than by the desires of a great railway corporation in the selec- tion of a United States senator. From every county in the state came the as- surance that the Call's leadership would be welcomed. In the contest which ensued the journalistic enterprise displayed by the Call challenged the ad- miration of the newspaper world.
A large staff of expert telegraph operators, special correspondents, artists, reporters and stenographers was stationed at the state capitol. A dwelling house on H street, and a commodious office on K street were rented for the convenience of the staff. The fight hinged on the proposition "caucus or no caucus." The so-called organization of the party representing the corporate power resolved that the contest should be adjusted in caucus. The stalwart Republican representatives maintained that the battle should be fought to a finish on the floor of the joint convention. Day after day the legislature met and voted but no choice resulted. The regular session came to an end with the deadlock unbroken. At an extra session the battle was renewed and culmin- ated in the choice of a senator whose election was accomplished contrary to the orders of the corporation.
Prominent citizens of every city, town and village of the state were interviewed as to what course their representatives should pursue. All in- terviews were carried by wire. The special wiring of fifty thousand words a day was not unusual. Fast train service was employed daily. The trains
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from San Francisco to Sacramento were run at such high speed that the members of the legislature received the papers at 6 a. m. On other occasions the fast train service was extended to Los Angeles, Stockton, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and other cities.
Sensational features which are frequently presented in modern journalism to attract fleeting attention to the columns of a daily newspaper are not char- acteristic of the Call, as the management is guided by a purpose to exclude scandals from the pages of the paper. When public necessity. of the require- ments of civilized society demand plain speaking on the part of the press, the Call is neither silent nor timid. With a fearlessness almost startling the reading public, this journal exposes wrongs and delinquencies in high places. Careless and corrupt methods in the administration of state and municipal in- stitutions are reviewed. Even the courts have been criticised in the interest of public justice. As a result of this fearless fidelity to the cause of right, libel suits calling for damages in the aggregate of $1,500,000 were at one time on the court calendars. Actions, other than civil suits, were also instituted. Juries, weighing the testimony presented, have uniformly entered verdicts commendatory of the newspaper.
Many writers of eminent ability contribute to the pages of the Call. In the old days, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), was a Call reporter. Pren- tice Mulford, Joaquin Miller, Charles Warren Stoddard, Daniel O'Connell, E. W. Townsend, George E. Barnes and Ina D. Coolbrith were contributors.
John McNaught became general manager of the Call on October 1, 1903. He had been identified with the paper as an editorial writer since 1895, hav- ing taken the editorial chair when Charles M. Shortridge acquired the prop- erty. Mr. McNaught was a lawyer and literary man in early life and he brings to his duties ripe experience, wide acquaintance and a lovable tempera- ment. Under his regime the paper is assured a long and prosperous life. He is generally regarded as one of the most accomplished writers and public speakers in San Francisco. In his managerial capacity he exhibits the for- bearance and sense of justice that belong to minds of large caliber, and the personnel of the staff look upon him as the kind and considerate head of a large and growing journalistic family.
Mr. Fremont Older thus describes the aims and purposes of the San Francisco Bulletin:
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The Bulletin, under its present management, is a spirited, outspoken newspaper of the modern type. It is Republican in national politics and usu- ally in state politics, but is an independent rather than a strict party journal. In municipal campaigns the Bulletin picks out and supports good men on any ticket. The Bulletin's doctrine is that what the city needs and should have is honest, competent public officers, and not party men. This independ- ent attitude toward the politicians has given the Bulletin very great authority and the paper is said to have a powerful influence on public opinion.
When there is nothing especial to be said about politics or public affairs, the Bulletin prints, instead of heavy editorials, light essays on matters philo- sophical, scientific or social, even when most earnestly advocating one side or the other in a political matter the Bulletin invariably publishes accurate news reports of the doings on both sides. This policy of stating both sides of the case fairly is a marked characteristic of the Bulletin. Partisanship is not permitted to color the news narratives.
The Bulletin is a consistent, earnest and vehement champion of munici- pal improvements. The paper supported the charter moveinent, the bond issues for parks, streets, sewers, schoolhouses and other betterments and is willing to take up any reasonable and feasible project for beautifying San Francisco, extending the city's reputation, and increasing its population or its commerce.
The Bulletin is not tied to any politician, but stands fast by the non- partisan principle in municipal administration. It will praise a public officer for doing right and blame him for doing wrong. This impartial disregard of persons and firm adherence to a principle has kept the political course of the paper in a straight line and, together with sane and enlightened manage- ment, has given the paper remarkable prestige.
One of the oldest, best known and most interesting newspapers of Cali- fornia is the Sacramento Bee. It dates back almost to the days of the pioneers. its first number having appeared as early as February 3, 1857. Thus the period of its publication covers nearly half a century, which is a great age for a journal of the Pacific coast.
Great changes have occurred in the state since the Bee first saw the light, and from the beginning it has exerted a powerful influence for progress and development. It has always given marked attention to the utilization of
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the industrial resources of California, and has stimulated enterprise and the investment of capital in all legitimate industries. But most of all it is dis- tinguished for fearless and uncompromising devotion to what it believes to be right, in political, social and all other matters that receive editorial attention. It has fought many a good fight for its principles, and often sacrificed what, for the time being at least, appeared to be its own business welfare. But the reputation it has gained for honesty, public spirit and unflinching devotion to its standards has built up for it a great clientage, and the relatively great circulation and business patronage it enjoys are the direct results of its bold and straightforward policy, joined to superior business enterprise and ability in every department of the paper. The prosperity and prominence attained by the Bee show that, despite all said to the contrary, it pays to be honest and public spirited in the publication of a public journal.
The Bee was first brought out by a partnership of printers as a morning paper, but since April 6, 1857, it has been an evening journal Its original editor and real founder was the late James McClatchy, a man whose rugged force of character, ability and stalwart patriotism have left a strong impress on the history of the state, and may be traced in much of its earlier legislation for the public good. He always stood up manfully for the rights of the peo- ple, and in opposition to special privileges for favored classes. No one was ever at a loss to know his position, as reflected in the Bee, upon any public question. During the dark days of the Civil war he was a tower of strength for the Union cause, and early in 1861 he gave timely personal warning to the government at Washington of the existence of treachery in the command of the Federal troops in California. That information has been declared by competent authority to have saved the state from falling into the hands of the Confederacy. And throughout the great conflict the Bee dealt sturdy blows for the preservation of the nation.
James McClatchy was a native of Ireland, coming to America in 1842. Having experienced the curse of Irish landlordism he soon became identified with land reform in this country, and was the first public man in California to take up the cudgels against land monopoly He came to this state with the early gold seekers, and had poor luck in the mines before he took up his life work as an editor in Sacramento. One of his friends was the late Henry George, whom he encouraged to write the famous "Progress and Poverty,"
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after first starting him upon his newspaper career in San Francisco, where for a short time Mr. McClatchy edited the Times of that city.
In its first number the Bee struck the keynote of the policy it has since pursued by a declaration of independence. It has never been the organ of any party, clique or individual, supporting men and measures upon their merits and opposing what it believes to be bad, regardless of party considera- tions. It is unceasing in its fight for good government, local, state and na- tional, and denounces every form of corruption.
At an early period, when agriculture was comparatively in its infancy in this state and the cattle interests were powerful, the Bee, under the conduct of its late veteran editor, began an agitation for the "no-fence law" that was eventually passed by the legislature, for the protection of the farms against injury from stock, making the owners of animals responsible for trespass. This law was a great help to the development of agriculture.
The Bee also led the great struggle of the people of the Sacramento Val- ley against the threatened ruin of farming lands, towns and cities by hy- draulic mining debris. The mine owners were rich and powerful, and claimed prescriptive rights to discharge tailings into the streams. But while at first the fight for defense of the valley lands and homes seemed almost hopeless. public sentiment was educated to the need of battling for their preservation. Suits were brought, organization of valley interests was effected, and eventu- ally victory was gained in the courts, so that the farms and homes were saved.
In many other vital matters the Bce has fought boldly for its constitu- ency, but the mere mention of them would occupy much space.
Since the death of its founder, in 1883. this journal has been owned and conducted by his two sons who have followed closely in the footsteps of their father and adhered to his policy of independence-C. K. McClatchy being the editor of the paper and V. S. McClatchy the publisher. Under their man- agement the paper has kept pace with the latest improvements in every branch of publishing and journalism. Its plant is one of the most complete and up-to-date to be found on the Pacific coast. The Bee is printed on a three-deck, Scott, color, perfecting press with a speed capacity of 26,000 copies an hour, which contrasts strikingly with the old Washington hand press on which the first issues of the paper were struck off.
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The Bec building is one of the most pleasing and substantial in Sacra- mento. It is of steel, brick, terra cotta and stone, three stories high and com- pletely equipped for its purposes. It stands as a fitting monument to the founder of the paper, and in its vestibule the visitor reads the inscription :
"And The Sons Builded a House to Their Father's Name."
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CHAPTER XI. THE BUILDING OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD.
By A. J. Wells.
The last spike in the great pioneer road across the continent was driven May 10, 1869. The first Mission in California was founded at San Diego July 16, 1769. In the century that rolled between these two dates, the Old California began and disappeared, and the new was born. One of the youngest of the states of the Union, California's history is marked by three distinct epochs. The Spanish occupation gave us a pastoral age, in which the silence of the great sunny empire was broken only by the sound of Mission bells, and the quiet stirred only by the unheralded and infrequent arrival of a sailing vessel trading in hides and tallow. It was a slumberous land, "where it seemed always afternoon." Then Marshall's discovery in 1848 gave us the Days of Gold, and the world broke into the meditations of the padres with the rush and roar of a mountain torrent. But after ten years, there was no promise of a permanent community based on the hazards of mining, while the exhaustion of the placers, the more abiding character of the quartz lodes and the deep gravel beds, and the growth of business and population necessitated the culti- vation of the soil and the development of herds and flocks.
The era of agriculture came silently, with no flourish of trumpets, but it quickly took possession of the land, and presently the farms of California were telling of the richness of the soil and the beneficence of the climate.
The mines contributed $600,000,000 in a few years to the world's wealth, but not until farms were mapped out and business began to build on other foundations than that of adventurous industries, were the necessities of an organized society seriously considered.
The bottom industry of society is agriculture. It abides, and in all coun- tries civilization is built upon the farm. The pastoral days would never have created a railroad; it did not want one. The mining industry in time would
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have organized to secure local transportation, but would hardly have under- taken a railroad across the continent. But it was inevitable that the very dawn of the abiding and permanent life of California should be signalized by the demand for just such a line, providing at once for rapid communication with the homes left behind, and with the industries in the east, which for a time must supply the necessities of the west. Men were now here to stay ; business must expand; the resources of a region rich in everything that tends to make a prosperous and independent community must be developed, and rapid and adequate transportation was a matter of necessity. This was the foundation.
THE GROWTH OF THE IDEA.
The evolution of a great enterprise is slow. It may start into being sud- denly ; but back of it are long years of preparation. There are dreams. All the temples and the statues in them; all the galleries of art and the paintings hanging there, all the dramas and lyric poems, all the great reforms and material triumphs of the blossoming ages were first dreams.
"We figure to ourselves The thing we like, and then we build it up As chance may have it, on the rock or sand."
There is a wide interval often between the dream and the task. Many never get beyond the conception. Over and over again visionaries planned the great road in airy projection. There are always pioneers, forerunners, voices in the wilderness, the crying of men who want to be heard; who are full of ideas, convictions-men in advance of their times, the prophets of a new day, eager spirits who outrun Progress itself.
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