The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, October 29, 1895, Page 6

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1895. CHARLES M. SHORTRIDGE, Editor and Proprietor. Postage Free: k. by carrier.§0.15 Sy rket Streer, ncisco, California. Telephone.... ..Main—1868 EDITORIAL ROOMS: Stre: [§ H OFFICES: et, corner Clay: open until ....Main—1874 Telephone. BRAN £50 Montgomery $:50 o'clock. £5¢ Hayes street: open unti: 8:30 o'clock. 717 Larkin street: open until 9:30 o'clock. €W corner Sixteenth and Mission strects; open wntil § o'clock 18 Mission street: open untll 9 o'clock. 316 N1nh street; open until § o'clock. OAKLAND OFFICE: ©08 Broadway. milkmen b the butchers n In the theater of e decided to take a p e box. 3oston is with u: ently cultured to ! make use of nd liberty is in the air. rman wiil be ing a key to his certainly worth some of nearly, 1’s money to see a Presidential Up to date the v us foreign policy remains corked up the ink bottle in en very badly orkers decided to Even if the Monroe doctrine does not e laws of lib. ion is foreign to the interests and the imentis of this country. are some peop t enough to t g the rim. gland’s colonial policy consisted in taking trouble for the mere sake of getting more troubles. Diplomatic d h. raws about the European n thrashed over so often t look out they will art o ihat the hardest Venezuela is getting o getting into riff has lots of holes Democracy to fall into there isn't a le one for it to crawl out of. There is one consolation, un- American get an American ss meets. of the Alaska y soon the fri into a fight. 1 campaign started on the 1 assuredly start from eep the whole country. nt seeras willing to take Presidential possibili- speculation on the subject is ties, and ex dull. Tt can hardly be regarded as an off year in National politics that promises to bring Kentucky and Maryland into the Republi- can ranks. It appears that the Kaiser and the Czar have a little project to carry out, and the latter will railrofd it through China to start with, Nature and commerce have worked together very well in California this year. ‘We have had good crops and good sales all along the line. The first big rainstorm that comes along in Washington may get the drop on the Mount Olympic volcano and prove it to be nothing but a forest tire. As 2 general rule the report of a big strike in a mining country attracts hosts of miners, but in the Ceeur d’Alene it sim- ply calis out the militia. Just as the Durrant case is about to close the Holmes trial opens in the East, and the sensational press has a new vista before it abounding in blood and gore. Now that meat inspection is in progress it might be as well to inquire whether Ore- gon or Chicago has been unloading any horse flesh on us as prime beef. As Corbett and Fitzsimmons promise to make their meeting strictly private and confidential there ought to be no further objection on the part of the public. Since the New England men fayor this City for the National Convention those from other sections of the country have no right to complain that the distance is too great. From the way the campaign is going in Jowa it would seem there are hardly enough Democrats in the State to furnish milestones to measure the Republican procession by. s There is a growing belief in Europe that, despite the compliance of the Sultan, the Turkish people would just as soon split the war cloud wide open and start the reign of bloodshed as not. In devoting the whole first page of the current issue to an account of * The new CaLi,” the Esparto Press has paid us a compliment of more than ordinary value. We appreciate it as arother evidence of the good will with which Tre CArL is regarded by the interior press, and Editor Cluff may be sure THE CaLn will cordially aid him in all that his paper may advance for the welfare of Esparto and Yolo County, | generous subscriptions. WHO IS LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR? Has California a Lieutenant-Governor, is the question of the hour, and if so, is he Senator Flint of San Benito or William T. Jeter of Santa Cruz? The death of Lieutenant-Governor-elect Millard has s complication and exposed a hiatus in the constitution which it may require a decision of the Supreme Court to bridge and an amendment of the organic law to correct. The Governor claims the right to appoint a Lieutenant-Governor, under section 7 of article V. of the constitution, which de- clares that: “When any office shall from any cause become vacant, and no mode is provided by the constitution and law for filling such vacancy, the Governor shall have power to fill such vacancy by grant- ing a ‘commission which shall expire at the end of the next session of the Legisla- ture or at the nextelection by the people.’ ”” If this section is to be construed to affect the office of Lieutenant-Governor, then those who framed it have provided a method of succession which is at once illogical, irrational and inconsistent with the genera! scheme of our State govern- ment. It is illogical for the Governor to have the power to appoint his possible suc- cessor. It isirrational that he should pos- sess the right to inject into the State Sen- ate an outsider not chosen by the people, who should have a voice in its delib- erations to the extent of dominating its parliamentary action, and delivering in case of a tie the casting vote. Itisin- consistent with our scheme of State gov- ernment that the chair of Lieutenant- Governor should be occupied by the Presi- dent pro tempore of the Senate daring the utenant-Governor’s bility to per- form his duties through illness, but that as soon as he is dead a stranger may be selected by the Governor to fill his place. ! The position of Senator Flint is by far more logical, rational and consistent than that which the Governor has assumed. The succession ought to descend in the natural order of things, through the al- ready elected agents of the people, to the president of the Senate, in case the Gover- nor and Lieutenant-Governor both should die. In the meantime the occupantof the latter office being dead, the Senate ought not to be ruled by a chairman neither of its own nor of the people’s choosing. The better, safer and more consistent view to take is to so construe the constitution that there shall be no successor appointed to the office of Lieutenant-Governor; that Sena- tor Flint shall continue to perform the functions of President of the Senate, and that in case of the Governor’s death the duties of chief executive shall devolve upon him. This view change in existing conditions. It would save to the State the salary of a Lieuten- ant-Governor jor the remainder of the term and would be altogether more in keeping with the system of checks and balances by which each of the partments of our State government is pro- tected from undue interference by either of the other two. It cannot be denied that a President of the Senate, appointed by the Governor and possessing unchecked power in the appointment of committees and in the cast vote, would coustitute a very serious interference with the inde- pendence of action of that important branch of the State government. The Democrats of the West are evidently realizing the importance of securing the Republican National Convention for San Francizco. A glance at the list of local abscribers shows that leading Democrats are coming handsomely to the front with This measures and good common- their public spirit sense. There is another consideration which they might well regard. This is that the bringing of the Republican convention through the assi; all the tance of Democrats will asier the task of bringing conventicn aiterward. h stly true for two reasor one that Republicans will generously sub scribe to their fund as a return compli- ment, and the isthat the enthusiasm for California which the Republican dele- gates will spread over the entire country will rouse the desire of Democrats to fol- low their example, for California, besi being notedly the most royal and I entertainer in the country, has innumer- able natural charms discoverable nowhere else. It is just as essential to the future wel- fare of the West to have one of these con- ventions as the other. To secure only one of them would be to make only half the fight for this region; to secure both would be to win a complete victory, and it is easier to get both than one. Any local political advantage which might accrue te the party holding its con- vention here would be offsct by holding the other. This is brought forth by the considerstion that some Democrats might make be unwilling to assist in an undertaking | which has asmall chance of giving their political opponents a temporary local ad- vantage. There is no clear reason for assuming that any such advantage would ensue, but itis well to know it could be offset. The Democrats may feel assured that when the time comes for them to make their fight for the Democratic National Convention at San Francisco they will find the Republicans of the coast with them heart and soul. It would be impertinent for a Democratic newspaper to suggest how best the Demo- crats might assist their Republican co-la- borers in this great cause, and for that matter there are abundant intelligence and public spirit among the Democrats to handle the matter in the proper way. It might not be amiss, however, to call at- tention to the excelient plan adopted by the Union League Club of S8an Francisco. Although the prospects for bringing the Republican convention to San Francisco are exceedingly good, the fight is by no means won. Every public-spirited citizen of whatever political belief is appealed to for his assistance. INFORMATION IS NEEDED, A citizen, unaware that the manager of the Market-street Railway Company had made a regulation requiring that passen- gers for the park must take the yellow cars on the Eddy-street line and that transfers to the park would not be given on the green cars, boarded a green car with his wife the other day. At Devisadero street, when he demanded transfers, they were refused. He declined to leave the car without them, and as the employes of the company had no discretion they attempted to eject him by force. A fierce fight re- sulted and several men were hurt. Four ladies besides this coupie were refused ransfers. ' They too were ignorant of the new regulation. The incident will likely give rise to an interesting contest in the courts. It cer- tainly ought to. In that event the rail- way company will be required to show that its regulation was reasonable and that it had been properly published. This lat- ter vpoint especially will be important. Although the Market-street company has an exceedingly complex system of roads and transfer systems it nowhere has posted ould involve no | ree de- | ! the shightest information concerning such transfers. 1f it proceeds in this course on the assumption that it is the duty of pas- sengers to keep a wary watch on the con- ductors and be prepared to demand trans- fers when they are called out the Eddy- street case cannot be included. In that case it had been a certain custom which was abandoned without sufficient notice to the public. The Ferries and Cliff House system is so exceedingly ‘complicated that only the regular patrons of the system have any idea of where they are likely to go when they board a car. The matter of transfers on this system is complicated enough, but the complexity is increased by changing the plan of running the cars at certain | times of the day. Even in calling out transfers the conductors mention merely the hame of the street to which the trans- fer is 10 be issued and say nothing about the destination. The plight in which per- sons unfamiliar with these intricate com- plications often find themselves is annoy- ing to the last degree and of very frequent occurrence. The whole trouble 1s that the company nowhere has posted an explanation of the information whicn is so greatly needed. This is true not alone of the streetcar sys- tems, but of the ferry service as well. There, as on the streetcar lines, the scheme of sending out boats changes at certain times of the day, with the result of con- fusing all except the most constant usersof the ferry. We do not see why the municipal au- thorities, under the proper exercise of the police powers with which they are in- vested, cannot and do not require that all this greatly needed information is properly posted for the convenience of the public. It would really benefit the companies as well. THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY. The interest developed in Alaskan gold- fields has produced a condition of affairs that renders it important to have the dis- puted boundary line of the territory set- tled as speedily as possible. There 1s al- ready 2 good deal of friction between our miners in Alaska and the Canadians, and while nothing in the dispute is hikely to produce a war between the two nations, it may result in strife and bloodshed on the border if the boundary line is left open for controversy much longer. | No reason exists why there should be any delay in the seitlement of the dispute. The issue involves no diplomatic question whatever. Itissimply a matter of mak- ing an official survey and erecting suitable landmarks to define the line between the two countries. The boundaries between | British and Russian America were defined by a convention in 1825. The terms of | that convention arestill binding. Weown | what Russia formerly owned. No more and no less. Until recently the line was | never thought worth the trouble of survey- ing, but conditions have changed, and Congress should certainly provide for un- dertaking the work next summer. | Some of our contemporaries have been | disturbed by a report that the Canadian vernment has been runninga liae for | the boundary and has encroached upon | our soil. There is really nothing in such | areport to excite any feeling whatever. Canada has no more authority to fix the line than Alaska has. It can be fixed only by an official survey in which both nations will be represented, and as surveying is amatter of mathematical measurements, there is hardly likely to be any dispute be- tween the officials of the two Governments | when they set about carrying out the sci- | entific work. It has been suggested that the Alaska | dispute would compromise our position in regard to the controversy between Great Britain and Venezuela, the argument be- ing that we cannot demand of England to submit her dispute with Venezuela to arbi- | tration unless we are willing to submit the Alaskan line to arbitration. There is, | however, nothing in the Alaskan bound- ary to be arbitrated. All that is required is that the two Governments should ap- point a set of capable surveyors.and send them out as soon as possible next spring to establish the line according to the Brit- ish and Russian agreement, and thus put anend to any fear of confiicts between Alaskan miners and Canadian authorities. LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE. SIZE OF BASALT BLOCKS. To the Editor of the San Francisco Call—SIR: Twrite to tell you of an idea that may be of benefit to the business of basalt-block making the taxpayers of San Francisco and myself (one who makes blocks). The sizes called for in the advertisements for blocks admitof a great deal of varistion. We are compelled to keep es near as possible to the smallest size in oraer o get the greatest number possible to | the ton. Now, if they were advertised for by | the ton, when the stone would work best for us we could make them up to tne largest size. I feel snre we could cover more ground for the same money. Itoften occurs that we are com- peiled to reduce a piece of stone that would make one of largest size called for to the small si Yours, respectfully, THOMAS COLE. Melitta, Sonoma County, Oct. 27, 1895, ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDEMTS. HOMESTEAD Law—Mrs. H., Oakville, Napa County, Cal. The law says thatevery person who 15 the head of a family, or who has ar- rived at the age of 21 years, who i8 a citizen of the United States, or who has declared inten- tion to become such, shall be entitled to enter one-quarter section, or a less quantity, of un- appropriated public lands. Any person apply- ing topenler such lands shall first mnkeml,n}:i subseribe before the proper officer and file in the proper land office an affidavit that he or she is either the head of a iamily or over 21 years of age. A single woman who makes an entry under the homestead laws does not for- feit her rights by marriage, provided the re- quirements as o residence, settlement and cultivation are complied wit A Winow’s WiLL—Subscriber, Capay, Yolo County, Cal. There i8 no law in the State of California that requires that the will of a widow should be drawn up before a notary public. A widow, like any one else, can write out her will herself, and all that is necessary is that it should clearly state what disposition should be made of the property, and if she writes it herself it must all be in the hand- writing of the testratrix, or she can callina lawyer to draw up her will, and such a will must be witnessed by at least two witnesses, A will can be Grawn up in any county of the State in which the person may be at the time of wishing to prepare such an instrument. TARIFF oF 1894 — 8., Ukiah, Mendocino Coun’y, Cal. What was commonly known as the “Wilson Tariff Bill” passed the House on the 1st of February, 1894. The bill as amended and called the “Gorman-Wilson Bill"” passed the Senate July 4, was concurred in by the House, and on the 27th of August becume & law without the signature of the President. This department hes not _the space to fully de- fine the Wilson bill. Any bookseller will secure you & copy &t small cost. LENGTH AND WiDTH—J. D. E., City. Length 1s invariably the longest measure of any object from end to ena, parallel with thesides. Width is the extension of an object in a direction at right angles to that of length. A sheetofruled gnpex may be eight inches long by five wide, ut if one-fourth of that sheet is cut off it be- comes a piece of paper five inches in length by two inches in width, irrespective of the lines that once ran across the face of it. Craps—B. H., subscriber. It is said that the best kind of bait for crabs isa piece of tresn beef. The best part of tne bay of San Francisco to catch crabs in is on the south shore, between Powell-street wharf and Fort Point. DATE OF A SHOOTING—H. K., Sacramento, Cal. On the mght of November 29, 1894, Lou White- house and Max Rosenfeld were shot in the Re- ception saloon by & young man named Lough- borough. EKEITH AND HIS PICTURES. “Mr. Keith,” inquired the critic as he strolled around the studio of one of Califor- nia’s best landscape painters, *‘when will you finish the sketch you made of the creek at Castle Crag last August?” Mr. Keith looked up from his palette in as- tonishment. ““Why, my dear sir, I finished it when I made the sketch. Iput all I could possibly see in it, and if I should work a year I could develop nothing more. You must understand me when Isay that I finished it,I mean so far as I am concerned. It is probabie that the picture- buyers would not care for it, but to me it con- veys more than I would be able to express in words. When the scene struck me as wortha picture I was filled with the natural sublimity that it scemed to possess. I was full of the moon for that oceasion. All my heart was OUR NATIONAL FINANCES. New York World. The proposed increase in the beer tax would yield about $£30,000,000 & year. It would not add one penny to the price of beer sold to consumers. It would be paid by the brewers out of profits that are excessive almost beyond exm‘fle. It would not tax the people. It would not add to anybody’s cost ot living. It would seem to be a peculiarly just, equitable and discreet davice for raising révenue. New Yorx Mail and Express. The deficit, together with the increased per- manent debt, which has accrued under the new tariff law, now exceeds $300,000,000. Still, in the face of these facts, the administra- tion had the hardihood to report,in its last monthly official statement, a surplus of $3,000,000 for the month of September. We took occasion to denounce this statement as “ 1 PAINTED IT FOR MYSELF,” SAID MR, KEITH. [Sketched from life for “The Call” by Nankivell.] wrapped up in it and I painted as I felt. There was nothing before me that was neglected. The atmosphere, the lights, the hour and the scene were there. I put on the colors as they presented themselves to me. The grass, the splashing water, the vista through the trees entered into my mind, and all that stood out in that corner of the world was placed on this canvas. Look at it. There I have con- veyed all Isaw. I was not forced to sit down by that stream and paint,but I desired it. There were plenty of other spots around me that might have appeared more beautiful to you or to another, but this scene was to me the best of all. “I would not dare paint it again. Icould not do it. The patrons who tell me what they want seldom get it. Iknow by bitter experi- ence that the feeling one gets in a sketch can easily be removed when an attempt is made to finish it for the market. Cannotyou see here many things thatshow the destruction wrought by mechanical precision? Here, look at these little eketches on the door. Do they convey anything to you that is not really there? Of course they do. There is the suggestion. Of course one cannot see the cow, her hoofs and horns and her tail, but she is there. I can see her. Every touch of the brush has its value. To me the picture is finished, and I painted it while I thought. “Here is another picture. Every detafl is worked out. Iwill sell that without any trou- ble. The buyer will look st it, see just exactly what it is and his intelligence is flattered. He has understood. He is wise. He is a critic. He is a buyer. How few people really know what a sketch means to the painter who pro- duces itj Excuse me for feeling that way about it, but the sketch you refer to is fin- ished. I painted it for myself.” THE MISSION OF THE PRESS. Jeanette Rodgers Somerville, In Toronto Globe. ‘The gates of knowledge to unlock And set its priceless treasures free; To break the chains of ignorance, And give its serfs true liberty. To bid thought quicken thought, and mind Glve keener edge (o mind; to sow The seeds of truth; fair freedom’s boon ‘To win for all men, high and low. To drag into the light of day Oppression, violence and wrong: ‘To shame the land that makes it law 'To crush the weak and shield the strong. Buch hath been, is, and still shall be The glorious mission of the Press, The proudest rulers of the earth In love or fear its power coufess. Freedom's bold champion, silenced ofs, Yet phenix-like, arising still To ring even in the tyrant's ear The clerion voiee that bodes him fll. Not by the favored few alone Are God's inspiring singers heard; The Press repeats the glowing strain Untll the world’s great hieart is stirred. ‘The burning words of eloquence, Live coals from Freedom’s altar fire, Re-echoed in the volceless page A thousand walting souls inspire. The great, invincible phalanx, ‘Whose hands this matchless weapon wield— Victors in many a noble strife, Heroes in many a hard-fought field, The glorious army of the Press, Ready for action day and night, Even upon its banners shine “For God, for freedom, for the right " A FRIEND OF THE INTERIOR. Lancaster (Cal.) Gazette. The San Franeisco CALL ordered and George F. Weeks telegraphed 500 words descriptive of the meeting here Tuesday. THE CALL is the interior valleys’ friend. ‘1his article with its big head-lines is a good advertisement for the valley. ‘WAGES REDUCED BUT FARES STICK. ’ Newman Tribune. The West Side Railrond was completed four years ago and during that time railroad em- ploves have suffered numerous reductions in Wwages, but the people still have to ?c 5 cents & mile to travel on the road. Isn't it about time {or & reduction? intentionally deceptive. We justified our de- nunciation_ by predicting that the deficit for the first half of the present month would show a decided increase. This prediction has come true. The deficit during the first fifteen days amounted to about $10,000,000. New York Tribune. The stamp tax, our free-trade rulers think, is easily collected and falls on rich people almost exclusively. On the contrary, it is a tax which is relatively far more burdensome to those who have small incomes and make many small pay- ment by checks, than to the more wealthy, who pay less frequently, though larger amounts, while the bulk of itis in fact levied on the operations of traders, and ultimeately falls upon consumers in proportion to their consumption. It is not a just nor equitable tax; it involves vexation and bother dispro- portioned to its yield; it always was evaded to & considerable extent,and was about as un- popular as any other war tax. Itsrevival in a time of peace to meet_a deficit created by an obstinate refusal to lay proper duties on im- ports, would be a fine illustration of Demo- cratid statesmanship. Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Democrats demand the withdrawal of all the Government legal tender notes. Now this is & grave question, for if $500,000,000 cur- rency is thus withdrawn many think it will create a sharp contraction and pinch in busi- ness. Of course the vacuum is to be filled through the issue of bank notes. Many who were at first opposed to the infusion of legal tender notes in our currency have come to the conclusion thet they have become a necessity. . St. Paul Ploneer. The greenbacks are not a commercial, but a volitical currency, not in any way responsive to the wants of trade, but subject wholly to the arbitrary wiil of Congress as to its volume and the conditions on which it is issued. Their i sue is a violation of all the principlesota sound currency. They furnish the chief sup- Eo" for the vicious popular theory that the jovernment should issue all the currency. GUESSED IT FIRST TIME. Gussie—Ah, my dear Marie, say the word that will make me the happiest of mortals. Wealthy Heiress—oney? SANTA CLARA WILL RESENT. Cincinnati Enquirer. The cyclone, with a howl of fiendish glee, struck the Eastbound California fruit train full amidships, as it were. In an instant millions of small, bluish, wrinkled objects were hurtling through the circulatory atmosphere. The cyclone took one look at himself and then— “Great heavens?” he shrieked, “I am full of prunes!” With that he lay down and died. ‘“THE CALL" SPEAKS FOR ALL. San Luis Obispo Reasoner. In THE CALL of Sunday, September 29, a let- ter signed by Mr. Johnson appeared under the title of “Political Statistics,” which contains important and cheering information on the growth of the People’s party. This secems to indicate that at least cne of our great daily newspapers is willing to give the news impar- tially, which commends that journal to the confidence oi the people as worthy of patron- ge. C. M. SHORTRIDGE'S IDEAS. VIEWS OF “THE CALL'S” EDITOR IN REGARD TO LEGITIMATE JOURNALISM. New York Fourth Estate, October 17. Charles M. Shortridge, proprietor of the San Francisco CALL and the San Jose Mercury, has established Fastern headquarters at No. 34 Park Row, New York. He has handsome offices overlooking City Hall Park. A novelty to metropolitan journalists is the sign on the dvor, “Walk In.” The accustomed “*Private” is missing and any one can easily gain entrance to the office of the San Francisco journalist. Mr. Shertridge is a man of very positive con- victions. He is a ready but earnest talker. is nephew, David M. Foltz, will be the East- ern representative of THE CALL, and will have commodious quarters, A representative of the Fourth Estate called on Mr. Shoriridge and found him busily en- gaged in his Eastern office. He asked the Cali- fornia editor's views on up-to-date journalism. *“Up-to-date journalism comprehends so many things,” said Mr. Shortridge, “that I scarcely know what Icould say which would be of in- terest to your readers. Iam not unmindful of he fact that I am here surrounded by the great journals of New York City. For the past twenty years I have been a working journalist, and a careful student of the leading journals of the world. Ihave made: it my business to study sheir plans and purposes, but still I do not feel competent to criticize the metropolitan press. “I fear this would be presumptuous; but as you have done me the honor to seek my views regarding up-to-date journalism I will not hes- itate to pointout one error indulged in to a dis- graceful extent by many of the leading papers. Lrefer to the practice of offering premiums in order to gain subscriptions. For the purpose of illustration the press may be divided into what I may term the legitimate and the illegiti- mate journalism. We have in various parts of the country noble examples of the legitimate newspaper. By this I mean the straightfor- ward, carefully edited, clean, condensed, thoughtiul journal, which has a mission, a purnose to pertorm and goes about it with a di- rectness and a precision of action calculated to arouse the admiration of all thoughful men and women. “In contradistinction to this we have the faking, the padded, the sensational and the premium-giving newspaper, which furnishes the example of what I call the illegitimate. ‘The legitimate newspaper strives to put value into its pages and offers the same for sale upon its merits. The other appeals to ail the prejfi- dices and lower passions of the people, and in addition to its cheap wares it offers all kinds of premiums as a means of gaining subseribers. I regret to say that some of the great journals— those which deservedly stand high and are be- | lieved in by the people—have fallen into this | gross error. “Contemplate for a moment this preminm- glving business. Every conceiyable plan of attracting public attention has been resorted to. Ihave devoted considerable time in look- | ing over the various premium lists offered, and | Tam amazed at the ingenuity displayed by meny managers. In oneplace I find them giv- ing books, shotguns, bicycles and fishing tackle, and 1n another tickets entitling the holder to a day’s outing at the seaside or a trip around the world. Another gives baby car- riages and washing machines and cook-books. Some have even goneso faras to give race- horses and cheap town lots and tickets to the cireus. “This, I say, is the erying shame and disgrace | of the press of to-day. The up-to-date journal | should scorn such practices. It is a virtual | acknowledgment of the inferiority of the pub- | lication, and it is an admission that the prod- uct being offered for sale has not sufficient merit In itself to attract and hold the thought- | ful reader. Think, for a moment, of some great author offering a spotted pup or a yearling celt 8s & premium to the subscriber to his book or | publication. “What would you think of the spectacle of seeing the immortal Blaine's great political ‘works offered for sale with a coupon attached entitling the holder thereof toa bicycle ora silver watch or a cheap suit of clothes? Think of the writings of the loved and venerated | Greeley being sold with a coupon attached | entitling the holder to a cook-book or a patent toa flying machine! The thought is simply revolting. “Suppose we should for & moment apply this to the great newspapers and offer them for | sale with these trinkets as an inducement to | readers or a stimulant to purchasers. Is it | not plain that we are not selling the goods | upon their merits? It is doing nothing more nor less than offering a cheap chromo asan inducement to subscribers. “The great publications of the day are sold for a mere pittance. The price places them within the reach of all. Why, therefore, offer these special inducements to gain circulation? 1f the paper will not sell upon its merits, why not improve it? Why not add to its tele- graphic, its news and its literary departments the money that is offered in premiums? I believe the better rule to follow would be to either reduce the price or improve the merit of the publication. “In saying this Fam naturally criticizing the practices of a great many of the leading journals; but that {s no reason why I should | not be permitted to express my honest senti- | ments. To put it mildly, I would say the time has gone by for such illegitimate practices. The up-to-date newspaper should have noth- ing to do with the sale of books, bicycles or | bull pups. “I am satisfled, also, that the circulations obtained by such methods are not permanent; besides, the expense incurred, even though the premiums offered be and are usuaily com- paratively worthless, isconsiderable. I believe this money could be better invested in engag- ing cultured writers, skilled artists and in gathering and condensing the news of the world. “The daily newspaper is, indeed, a modern miracle. The capital and labor involved in the publication of a metropolitan newspaper is stupendous. Is it not humiliating to think that this great searchlight for truth, this great mirror in which is reflected all that is best of modern thought and action, should be offered for sale with & coupon attached entitling the owner to a coach dog? “It is not only disgraceful, it is unnecessary. Itis expensive. It is deceptive. It is & false light put out to attract the thoughtless, It is acheap way of attracting the attention to & production which should rest upon its own intrinsic merits. The practice should be frowned down. The ‘powerful, thoughtful, re- liable, patriotic journal should take the place of this painted, padded fakir, Itmustnot be forgotten that thousands of homorable mer- chants would be thankful and would appre- ciete the abandonment of all premium lists. I claim it robs the merchant of his just reward. It sets the paper up as a street fakir, seliing popcorn and apples and whistles to the gaping. crowd. The high purposes of journalism are forgotten in the wild, mad race to sell the paper as & sort of side issue to the attractive premium list. “It may be claimed that some ‘papers offer valuable prizes as inducements to subseribers and thusclaim that it isa meritorious practice. It is not my purpose particularly to defend, or rather to protect, the purchaser of these pre- miums, but it is to protect the merchants, our great patrons, and the journals of the country themselves. I desire that they take a higher plane. I desire that they offer other induce- ments to readers. “Consider the silly practice of asking your reader to count the number of words in your paper or to put together some brain-bewilder- ing device. What a dignified thing it is to ask your readers to lay aside your paper—the pro- duct of your energy and skill—and to take up instead the foolish task of arranging a eeries of pictures that the most numerous combinations can be made. This issimply ridiculous. It is small. It is undignified, and if the pride of the profession will not rise and crush it out the merchants of the country should see to it that laws are passed prohibiting such Ppractices. “Let us appeal first to pride and patriotism, and if that will not work, then to law. A trader’s license should be required at least of every publisher who attempts to set up a buck- ster’s shop in connection with his newspaper.” | fornia st. Order early. PERSONAL. S. H. Rucker of San Jose i at the Palace. J.L.Waller of Seattle is:topping at the Pal- ace Hotel. E. 0. Larkins, real-estate man of Visalla, is ick House. “Cz‘h;.L Phillips, banker of fan Luis Obispo, iz at the Palace Hotel. A. Duvall, vine-grower of livermore, is stop- ping at the Grand Hotel. W. A. Shephard, real-estate man of Fresno, is a guest at the Grand Hotel. J. H. Mogoffey, attorney of Yreka, registered at the Grand Hotel yesterday. Dr. E. 8. Bogert, United Stites navy, regis- tered at the Palace Hotel yestsrday. George E. Goodman, banker of Nupa, regis- tered at the Palace last evening. A.W.Gordon of the Edinburgh Bank, Scot- land, is a guest at the Palace Eotel. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Nelson of Denver regis- tered at the Palace Hotel yesterday. H. V. Keeling, a prominent rancher of Lake County, is & guest at the Califoraia Hotel. R. P. Rithet, a well-known capitalist of Vie- torfa, B. C., is & guest at the Palzce Hotel. H. F. Emeric of the State Fish Commission registered at the Oceidental Hotel yesterday. Railroad Commissioner W. R. Clark of Stock- ton registered at the Baidwin Hotel yesterday. Colonel James A. Hardin, landowner, Santa Rosa, registered at the Russ House yesterday. B. S. Hirsch, a well-known hotel man of Ukiah, registered yesterday at the California Hotel. D. K. McCarthy and wife of Syracuse, N. Y., and Miss Dow of Buffalo are guests at the Pal- ace Hotel. J.M. Wilmans and 8. C. Wilmans of New- man, Californis, registered at the Lick House yesterday. J. R. Hebbron of Salinas, formerly 8 member of the State Board of Equalization, is at the Grand Hotel. H. A. Unruh, manager of E. J. Baldwin's Southern California ranches, is stopping at the Baldwin Hotel. John W. Kelsey, formerly secretary of the Washington Park Association, Chicago, is at the Baldwin Hotel. Charles Erickson, a prominent railroad con- tractor ot San Luis Obispo, registered at the 3rand Hotel last evening. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Manley, Miss Sydney Manley and Mrs. Thomas Lombard of Maine registered at the Palace Hotel yesterday. James J. Meagher and wife arrived from Fish Roek, Mendocino County, yesterday and reg- istered at the Oceidental Hotel. Mr. Meagher is an old-time San Franciscan, and was greeted yesterday by many friends who had not seen him for several years. George Coppell of New York, president of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, is stopping at the Palace. The party, consisting of Herbert Coppell, Miss E. C. Coppell, Miss H. G. Coppell, Miss Mary Coppell, Miss Edith Coppell, daugh- ters of the president, and his son, Herbert Coppell, will visit Monterey end other famous resorts of California. Thomas Maitland of London, one of the bondholders, is traveling with President Coppell. The journey in the private car Bella Claire has been delightful. ROUGH ON ROUND VALLEY. Guinda Inde dent. If half the Round Valley tale published fn THE CALL Monday is true, the State officers should exert all their power to convict the guilty. It equals any slavery-days story. MARLBOROUGH'S FINANCEE. New York Vanity. They are now speaking of his Grace of Marl- | borough and his financee—fiancee being out of date as regards British noblemen snd others who come over and get engaged to our dollar- poppa’d girls. STRONG hoarhound candy, 15¢c Ib. Townsend.* e v ow g T Bacox Printing Company,508 Clay street.® —————— TYPOGRAPHICAL elocution. Making the types speak! The Roberts Printing Co., 220 Sutter. * — e SPECIAL information daily to manufacturers, business houses and publie men by the Press | Clippiug Bureau (Allen's), 510 Montgomery. * o CALIFORNTA WINES in cases and barrels for Christmas delivery free to any part of German or Switzerland. A. Repsold & Co., 517 Cn)?: — s The approaching third centenary of Tasso hasled to Tesearches as to his residence in Rome and the discovery of houses which ne inhabited. One of the prineipal of these is a house known as the Palazzo Manzoni, on which a commemorative tablet will be placed. The house was inhabited by Tasso from 1588 to 1591. THE Argonaut is one of the finest and most popular brands of Kentucky Bourbon, and has 10 equal for purity in the market. Itis oneof the favorite brands of the best judges. E. Martin & Co., 411 Market street, are the Pacific Coast agents for this excellent whisky. They are also agents for the celebrated J. F. Cutter brand of Kentacky Bourbon. These are both popular brands. * ———————— J. M. Barrie, the novelist, always writes with a dictionary at his elbow. “I never look at it,” he says, “but it gives me confidence to know thet it is there.” Kipling, on the other band, once remarked that he “dredged the diction- ary for adjectives.” ot b U R S THE only true foundation for health is in pure blood. Hood’s Sarsaparilla makes pure blood and is therefore the great health restorer. Do not neg- lect the little ills, Take Hood's now. Lap1ES suffering from nervous afitictions find quick relief in PABKER'S GINGER ToNTC. PARKER'S HATR BALSAM aids the hair growth. ———— UsE Dr. Siegert’s Angostura Bitters to stimulate the appetite &nd keep the digestive organs in order. sef s Queen Christina of Spain has lost the legacy left to her by Don Alexandro Soler by a strange technicality. The Spanish law requires that all holograph wills shall be written on stamped paper of the current year. Senor Soler wrote his in 1895 on paper stamped in 1894, The state officials have thrown the will out on this ground, and as he was a foundling and had no heirs his fortune goes to the treasur e s UG U0 SO DG URMSURY. 2 5 Cts. Per Can. Colima Baking Powder. Golima Pure Spices. As inducement to test COLIMA'S SU- PERIORITY, Valuable Presents given FREE with each can. 100 varieties to choose from. We mentiona few: 1 Glass Butter Dish, 1 Glass Sugar Bowl, 6 Preserve Dishes, 1 Decorated Thin China Cup and Saucer, 1 decorated Salad vish, 1 Cup and Saucer (assorted decorations), 1 ‘Thin China Oatmeal Bowl, 1 Cream Pitcher, Gold Decorated Cup, Saucer and Plate, Dec- orated set of 3 Water Goblets, Syrup Pitcher, Vegetable Dish, 1 Glass Berry Dish, 1 Majolica Pitcher, 1 Covered Ssucepan, 1 Coftee Pot (2 qt.), Oatmeal Set of 3 pleces, set of 3 Table Tumblers, 1 Dish Kettle (6 qts). Lots of others at our stores, (26t American Imparting Tea Co. 146 Ninth # 965 Market st. 140 Sixth st. 1419 Polk st. ontgom, 3 333 Hayesste. 2 o7 218 Third st. 2008 Fillmore st. 3006 Sixteenth st. 104 Second st. 2510 Mission st. 52 Market st. 13259 Mission st. (ity Stores, 917 Broadway. Oakland. —— e e Henry Dunant, the founder of the Geneva Red Cross Saclety, is now, at 67, in great pov- erty- and nearty starving. He spent all he had in promoting his idea, 131 San Pablo ave. 616 E. Twelfth st. ’Puk st. and Alameda ave. {1058 Washington st, Alameda 100 Stores and Agencles in operation. A Big Saving for Housekeepers,