Collection: Books and Periodicals > Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine

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Title: Volume 3 (1858-1859) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Collection Name: Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine Published: 1858-1859 # of Pages: 592 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-08-29 22:23:33 OCR Software Version #: tesseract 5.4.1 First Created: 2025-03-17 03:20:47 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 03:20:47

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

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480 HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE. Waar a popular idea in the public mind is an ‘opposition coach ;” an “‘ opposition steamboat” or an “opposition steamship ?” and the reason for its popularity, obviously, is its apparent cheapness. Now, let us suppose that the usual fare by any ‘‘regular” conveyance is ten dollars; and an “opposition line” reduces it to six, and which, for argument’s sake, we will consider to be no more than a fair paying rate —the regular line, in order to drive off the opposition, reduces its rate of charges to three dollars—a price at which, for the time being, it cannot but lose money—and the result is, unless “‘the opposition” reduces its fare to the same rate as the “‘regular line,” nearly all of the passengers will patronize the old conveyance; when, the opposition being without public support, has either to withdraw or lose money— neither being a very pleasant or commendable alternative for one who established it mainly for the public good. Of course the fare is immediately placed up again, by the regular line, at its old rate of ten dollars. In such a case whom, think you, is to blame? In looking over the numerous “ opposition” conveyances that, from time to time, have been established in this State, we are forced to the conclusion that, with but few laudable exceptions, they have been nothing more nor anything less than Black Mail institutions: established with no higher or nobler motive than to compel the other line to “buy them off” at exorbitantrates. This was the dishonest motive which gave them birth; and the public, by wishing to patronize an opposition that doubtless had become desirable, unintentionally aided them in their nefarious undertaking. As soon as the black mail “arrangement” was consummated, the “opposition” was, of course, “withdrawn for the present.” A good, honorable, and permanent opposition is at all times a public benefit, where the price of passage is fixed at a fair and paying rate; but where it is above or below this, the ): may rest assured that there is some unfair advantage about to be taken; and as it cannot be satisfactory to all parties, without its being mutually advantageous, its existence will be short and its death disastrous to the public welfare. Remember, then, that although “‘ opposition is the life of trade,’ to be permanent and valuable it should at all times be honorable. Turs month it becomes our pleasing duty to welcome the advent of the first number ef the Hesperian Magazine, a new California monthly conducted by Mrs. F. H. Day, San Francisco. It is a neat, spirited, and tastefully printed work of forty eight pages, with two excellent lithographs and a title-page, beautifully executed by the Nahl Brothers and well printed by L. Nagel. We have several of the eastern magazines before us, and can testify that the Hesperian will compare favorably with either of them. The well known ability of its contributors is a sufficient guarantee that its contents are as able as its appearance is preposessing. as €o Contributors und Corresyondents. B.—*“ Little Iva” is on file. ; M. D. 8.—To , is received. Of course editors must laugh, or how will their readers fare, think you? T. B., Orleans Flat.—We cannot tell unless we see it. J. N. R.—The sketch, with accompanying description, is accepted, and will appear in due time. fF. 0.—Yours, although well written, is inadmissible. Old Maid—Will please accept our thanks for her advice and good intentions. We should not have been ungallant, even to an “old maid,” had her name accompanied the communication. Will she bea little more candid and explicit in some future epistle ; as we shall be happy to profit by her suggestions. A.— George Sommerville,” “How the Yo Semite Valley was Discovered,” &., &., are accepted and filed for next number.