Alexandria Gazette

CALIFORNIA.

[From the Nevada Daily Standard.]

The vote at the recent election shows that California is being rapidly depleted of her population. There is little doubt that the vote was a full one, as it followed an exciting campaign, in which both parties exerted themselves to their utmost to bring out their party strength. The cities and towns throughout the State, with the exception of San Francisco, show the effects of the depletion. They are barren, dull, and declining. Business houses may be seen on every hand with closed doors. Property has declined at a fearful rate, and may be bought almost for a song. The causes of this depletion are numerous. The most powerful one is the discovery of rich and extensive mines of silver and gold outside of the limits of the State. There has for the past two years been a perfect exodus to Nevada Territory from all parts of California. Probably not less than 30,000 people are now residents of this Territory who came here from California. The discovery of rich mines in Idaho Territory has attracted thousands to that locality. The Colorado mines, now coming into notoriety, are taking off hundreds, and will, in all probability, carry away thousands in another year. In addition to this, many have gone to Mexico, and engaged in mining there. Several thousand soldiers have also been taken from the State. Taking all together, it probably would not be extravagant to say that the last two years does not fall short of fifty thousand souls. It is true that there has been a continual stream of immigration to that State from the East; but the amount of immigration is probably not one-third as much as the emigration. Hence the decline of the cities and towns, and the dullness which is apparent throughout the State.