Amador Ledger-Dispatch, Volume 1903, Number 9, 9 January 1903 — HOW A RAILROAD DEVELOPS BUSINESS. [ARTICLE]

HOW A RAILROAD DEVELOPS BUSINESS.

The report of the export trade of Placerville for the years 19,01 aud 1902 furnishes a remarkable illustration of the tendency of a railroad to develop the resources of the region, which it taps. According to the .Mountain Democrat the export trade from that point was as follows: Exports 1901 1902 Green fruit 90 cars 125 ears Lagging 44 " 35 " Slate 20 " 60 " Lumber.. 35 " 200 •' Wood 8 " - 5 " Concentrates 6 " 25 " Dry fruit 11" 3 " Wine grapes.. 25 " 40 " Total 229 493 Here we have au increase of nearly 90 per cent in one year. We are not informed as to the quantity per car load, but it is safe to assume that they would average betweeu 15 and 20 tons each. At the lesser figure this would give 7300 tons for the last year, or 20 tons per day. It will be noticed that all interests have coutribute'd to the increase, except the single item of firewood, which has decreased. It must be remembered that this is the record of one station — the terminus of the line. Placerville is just beginning to reap the advantages of rapid and cheap transportation, and there can be little doubt that the volume of business will continue to jjrow steadily, although perhaps not on so large a scale as the past year. With the exceptions of slate and lumber, the resources of the country tributary to Jackson are fully equal to the region around Placerville. To make up for the lack of lumber and slate, we have marble and granite in immense quantities, which are bound to become marketable products with the advent of a railroad.

The opposition to the re-election of George C. Perkins as United States senator dwindled to nothing when the time for action came. He was declared the nominee in. republican caucus by a vote of 68 to 1, the lone vote bein^ cast for Irving M. Scott. Perkins ranks as one of the most useful, active, and influential representatives California has ever had in the senate. It would bo foil}' to change under the circumstances. California's interests are fully safeguarded in the hands of Senator Perkins.

A revenue law that is not, or cannot be equally and impartially enforced, ought to be wiped from the books. The license collections show that two weekly theatre licenses amounting to $20, were sold during the past quarter. As there were no receipts from this source for the preceding quarter, this sum represents the total collections from the show business for the past six months. Traveling shows are seemingly things of the past. The few that do muster up courage to strike Amador are not worth bothering about from a financial point of view.

The senate has voted the liberal allowance of $20 per member in the way of patronage in the selection of attaches, and the assembly $8 per diem. At this rate the appropriation for attaches for the session of 60 days will amount tosSb",4oo, while the pay for members of both branches, at $8 per day, amounts to $57,600.