BENEFITS TO CALIFORNIA.
Summing up the benefits of an exhibit is a good deal like a merchant trying to estimate the good derived from a sign over his door. Occasionally a patron may say, “I saw your sign and came in,” and occasionally a party may say, “I saw your exhibit and it prompted me to come to California.” The money dropped from travelers alone who passed through this State going to or returning from the Exposition, has probably recompensed California for its outlay, but this is only the beginning of the harvest. Many people from the eastern and central States who visited the Exposition with a view of ascertaining in which part of the Northwest it would be best to settle, changed their minds after seeing the exhibits made by the different States and came on to California. Besides, thousands of others already settled, after inspecting the exhibits made by this State, openly declared that if they ever moved again they would land in California. The tons of literature on this State carried away by visitors to supplement and strengthen their impressions, both impressions and literature to be disseminated among their neighbors, will have an effect that cannot be estimated, but which must inevitably bear fruit for California for many years to come. Then again, the seeing of our splendid products naturally excites a desire to try them, and the increased demand for our fruits, oil, wines, etc., growing out of such a display, is far-reaching. But more than all this, the greater intercourse, the better acquaintance, the more friendly feeling between the people of the different sections of the country, and particularly of the west, and more particularly between the people of this State and Washington, or Oregon and Washington, if you please, is bound to lead to a better understanding in regard to trade relations and result in commercial benefits that cannot be estimated. That the participation of California was wise there is no doubt, and that the benefits received and to be received will be many fold greater than the cost is as certain as the future. The follow-up letters that have already come to your Representatives from people of the Northwest and other sections who saw and inspected our exhibit, is further proof that an interest in this State has been awakened among them that will not soon die out.