The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 20, 1897, Page 6

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1897. JOHN D. SPRECKELS, Proprietor. Il Communications to W. S. LEAKE, Manager. PUBLICATION OFFICE Market and Third Sts., S. F. Telephone Main 18G. EDITORIAL ROOMS ....2I7 to 221 Stevenson stree Telephone Main 1574. THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL (DAILY AND SUNDAY) Is served by carriers in this city and surrounding towns for IS cents a week. By mail $6 per year; per month 65 cents. THE WEEKLY CALL.... OAKLAND OFFICE ... ~One veer, by mail, $.50 Rt 908 Broadway Eastern Representative, DAVID ALLEN. NEW YORK OFFICE Room 188, World Building WASHINGTON (D. C. OFFICE .. ... Riggs House C. C. CARLTON, Correspondent. BRANCH OFFICES--527 Montgomery street, corner Clay; open until 9:30 o'clock. 339 Hayes street; open until 9:30 o'clock. 615 Larkin street; open until 9:30 o'clock. SW. corner Sixteenth and Mission streets; open until So'clock. 25I8 Mission street; open until 9 o'clock. 143 Ninth street; open until9 o'clock, 1505 Polk street; open until §:30 o'clock. NW. corner Twenty-second and Kentucky streets; open until 9 o'clock. AMUSEMENTS. Opera Wh e Flag.” a Orchestra. lies' Military Band. to-day at Oakla AUCTION SALES. “December 20, at 11 A. M., at 1408 21, at 721 Howard December day, December 20, at 7:30 EPORTS from the t are to the effect that considering the season of the year business s surprisingly large. The bank clearings n for the week of 25.9 per cent, and while R show a ome of them exhibit large gains. In fact, rings last week were larger than te cl even ir ever before, 1 the seasons of the greatest pros- perity. Nor is this all. The manufacturers of iron and woolen goods and boots and shoes report a heavier cutput than ever before vember was 226,000 tons, against 213,000 in Novem- Ler, 1896, and 2 n November, 1893, the latter being the largest production up to that time. This was the result of the reception of remarkably heavy orders for steel rails and structural work. The de- mand for woolen goods is reported steadily in- creasing, though wool itself is very dull, and some mills are preparing for an even greater production in 1808. But the principal feature of trade at the moment, according to commercial reports from the East, is the rise of merchandise exports in November to $115,680,290, the excess of exports in four months being $229,212,401, while in half of December exports are nearly as large and imports $2,500,000 smaller n last year, when the excess of exports was $58,- Probably all records were surpassed by ex- for this year, which have been $974,600,000 in and the excess over imports in five has probably exceeded $289,000,000. addition to this gratifying showing as to our foreign trade it appears that the Government funds are steadily swelling, the treasury receipts for the first half of the current month showing a steady in- crease over the previous months, both from custom houses and internal revenue channels. We thus seem to be taking in money from all sorts of sources, both as individuals and as a nation, and the holiday ason, which usually acts as a damper on business, cuts very little figure this year. Stocks and bonds continue in demand in Wall street, and the buying otders are coming largely from the public, though a temporary hardening of the money market has acted as a check on this demand to some extent. In the Southern States a good deal of cotton Las been thrown on the market by those planters who wish to realize befote the beginning of the year, and this has stimulated trade more or less in this section. The South is also enjoying a better demand and higher prices for rice, sugar and to- bacco, and this means a good deal to the Gulf States. Thus it will be seen that the wave of prosperity ex- tends all over the country. Commercial failures last week were again smaller. being only 283, against 292 for the preced- ing week, 359 for the same week in 1896, 385 in 1893, 309 in 1894 and 353 in 1893. The local markets are without especial feature. Wheat continues to creep up, but at a snail-like pace. The leading wheat authorities of the East predict still higher prices for wheat, on the ground that the supply is unquestionably deficient for the world’s needs. This has been known all along,.and in view of this important fact the recent shrinkage in values has surprised those best posted in the trade. We ought, if the volume of present stocks be any criterion, to have a good wheat market for a year or two to come. The other cereals have also been showing more strength of late, and advances are noted in oats, corn and barley, the latter being especially strong, with more or less talk among operators of possible dry weather. Hay has also gone up and is fim at the advance. Potatoes and onions are also bringing more money. Butter, too, is higher. Hides and leather are firm and dealers report a good de- mand for both staples. Wool continues dull, with stocks of from 5.000,000 to 6,000,000 pounds to finish the year with. There has lately been a little improve- ment in the demand for dried fruits, as the East has been nibbling at the market in order to replenish its stocks. It will thus be seen, from the preceding para- graph, that the local situation is much improved. It was only a week or so ago that trade in farm products was dull all along the line, with weak cereal markets and general apathy in almost all the principal staples. The tables now appear to be turned and the demand for these articles, with a few. exceptions, is much better than for some time. It is not often that business revives at the close of the year, hence the present improvement is noteworthy. e ———— hat of pigiron in No- The gentleman who under the impression that he was shooting a chicken thief killed a friend who was trying to play a joke will have more sympathy than the deceased. It is true that he was too ready with his gun, and that the larceny of an old hen ought not to be considered a capital offense, but it is equally certain that the world has suffered much from the fool joker. Editor Stead is not the pink of perfection him- self, and this will be thrown up to him by the friends of Croker since he has seen fit to make some per- sonal remarks about the Tammany boss. But Stead’s character should not baf him from a posi- tion as critic. Any man out of jail has the right to point the finger of scorn at Croker. gy Chicago courts have scored a dual triumph. They not only convicted some ballot-box thieves, but they escaped being mobbed by other thieves who THE NEW ERA EDITION. HE CALL is in its new home. The New ! Era edition that celebrated the home coming has been published. Every voter in Califor- . and thousands of persons beyond the State, ha\-g now the means of learning the conditions of California life to-day and the bright prospects that glow on the horizon of the immediate future. It is with satisfaction The Call invites public at- tention to the edition. It was in no respect @ mere holiday = advertising number filled with freaks and fakes designed to catch the fancy of the careless for a day. It was in the main a valuable compendium of the resources and industries of the State, made by earnest men for an important purpose. It merits careful study. and will undoubtedly receive it from all who take an in- telligent interest in California industries. The edition contained 350.000 copies. It is the intention that every voter in California whose name and address can be obtained shall receive one, in order that all may know what are the conditions of California, what problems of industry and commerce demand solution, what clouds, if any, threaten the welfare of her people, and what bright promises are revealed for them in the general prospects of the time. In preparing the edition The Call received the willing and helpful co-operation of many of the most eminent and reliable authorities in their several lines of work in the State. By reason of this help the articles which make up the chief part of the great issue are as instructive as they are interesting. They abound with suggestions of valae to those concerned in the industries to which they relate, and must be studied by all who desire to acquire a comprehensive understanding of affairs in California as they now exist. It was no ight task to prepare and publish so large an edition of so large a paper in so short a time. A few years ago such a feat would have been impossible. Even in these days of giant presses it was a record breaking accomplishment. The success attained in it is a striking proof of the marvelous efficiency of the new plant and new appliances of The Call office and Press rooms. A notable feature of the edition is the fact that it was wholly the work of Californian enterprise, energy, skill, talent and labor. The richly illumin- ated covers and all within them were the work of home industry. The paper can be sent abroad as an evidence of what California can do in the way of illustrated journalism as well as a compendium of her advantage as a place of residence and an ex- position of the opportunities she offers to home seekers and to capitalists seeking safe and profitable investments for their capital. In another column we publish some statistics giving illustrations of the extent and magnitude of the edition. These should be read in order to ar- rive at a just comprehension of what The Call has accomplished in this undertaking to celebrate the dawn of the new era in California. Great as was the work, however, it was none too great for the occa- sion. It is a wonderful future that awaits our Golden State, and it required something wonderful in the way of journalism to picture it to the readers of the world. Governor Budd may declare January 24 a legal holiday in honor of the celebration of the fif- tieth anniversary of the discovery of gold in Califor- nia, the Redlands Citrograph say “We hope the Governor will do no such thing. San Francisco can celebrate all she wants to, and we hope she will have 4 big time. But gold was mined anda shipped from South California a good deal longer ago than fifty years. And there is no sense in trying to paralyze the business of a huge State like California simply because one city in the State wants to have a cele- vration. It is nonsensical and unbusinesslike.” So far as we know this is the first note of dis- cord raised to disturb the harmony of the State on this subject. The proposed celebration has been re- ceived with favor almost everywhere. The pioneers of all sections of the State were the prime movers in it, the Native Sons and Native Daghters of all counties united in supporting it, and the miners not cnly co-operated with the original movement, but added to it the further enterprise ot a grand expo- sition of mines and mining. The press of the State has been cordial in its approval, and the Citrograph { alone shows signs of sulking. Whether the anniversary is made a legal holi- day or not can meatter but little. The day will be eelebrated in San Francisco and people from all sec- tions of the State will take part in it. In the mining exposition the mineral resources of Southern Cali- fornia will have an ample and impressive showing, and multitudes of visitors will study them. It is of little moment if “gold was mined and shipped from Southern California a good deal longer than fifty years ago.” The issue is to have gold mined and shipped now. It is to promote the present industry even more than to celebrate the past that the day is to be made notable and the exposition opened. A VOICE OF DISCORD. OMMENTING upon the probability that The Alaskan mining excitement will draw to the Pacific Coast this winter thousands of persons eager to invest in mining property. If we can show good investments of the kind nearer home than Alaska we will retain many persons and large amounts of capital that otherwise will go to the north. This, therefore, is our opportunity. It offers benefits to all who take part in the exposition, but none to those who stand aside and kick. Ii the Citrograph will study the situation with its usual intelligence it will find reason for joining the proces- sion and marching with the movement instead of raising the silly cry that it is an attempt to paralyze the industry of the State in order to make a holiday for San Francisco. e T It is not surprising that two ladies of New York, putting their aristocratic heads together, should have decided to cut the Four Hundred down to a blooded Seventy-five. It is hard to imagine that New York has more than the latter number of the really high- toned. - But since the process of cutting has begun the question of where it is to stop naturally projects itself into the situation, and when these discreet ladies have pruned the elect down to themseives, who shall decide which shall suryive the final test and stand solitary and magnificent, the only genuine ar- ticle? Without desiring to interfere in a delicate and important affair, we suggest that they pull hair for it. —_— Of course there is no desire to influence the Fallmer case, but as a matter of fact recognized by the normal mind, if the defendant is insane any young woman desirous of killing a friend or two can get crazy at 2 moment’s notice and get over it with such rapidity as her lawyer shall deem discreet. But it is a little tough for the friends. Perhaps the family of the murderous lunatic, Uhl, feel satisfied with the part they took in the preliminary stages of the tragedy; some people are so easily satisfied. Yet the advisability of placing under restraint such persons as hanker vociferously for blood could almost have been recognized with- out an object lesson so distressing. 3 Lees denies having termed Gunst “a false alarm.” Probably when he learned that his remarks had reached Gunst he thought the Commissioner’s action indicative of a real fire. Legislation against the sealskin sacque will ex- .were present. However, the escape in the latter case | cite women anew to a desire to go to Congress and was narrow. Still, Chicago must be improving. i place their heels upon the neck of tyranny. CHINA @ND THE CHINESE. F it should turn out that the occupation of Chinese ports by Germany and Russia is the be- ginning of a general movement for the partition oi the Chinese empire, then indeed are we at the dawn of a new era. The breaking up of that old empire and the establishment of European domina- tion in all the sea coast provinces would mean a vir- tual revolution in the political conditions of the world and would also materially affect the condi- tions of commerce and industry. It is the industrial aspect of the issue that is nost interesting. From a merely political stand- roint the overthrow of the Mongol empire in China would be of little consequence. As a nation China llat counted for almost nothing in recent history. She has no military force and her diplomacy has been without influence. The one mighty factor that makes her interesting to the world is the Chinese race. Whether ruled by the present dynasty or by European viceroys, the race would still exist, and the most potent and far reaching effect that could be produced by the overthrow of the empire would be that which the change of rule might have in chang- ing the habits of the race. . The Chinese will not fight. Germany and Rus- sia have occupied two of her principal ports and they have made no resistance. England and France can take other ports with equal impunity, and it will be as easy to take provinces as ports. Having taken them, there remains the problem of what to do with the people. It is this problem that may be found g‘rca!er than the conquerors can master. Many na- tions have conquered the Chinese empire. The present dynasty is descended from a conqueror. No people, however, has permanently overcome the Chinese. On the contrary, that race has absorbed the conquerors, and the victors in war have in the end been destroyed by the patient labor and tireless toil of the subjugated people. No part of the world outside the Orient would be more affected by the partition of China than the Pacific Coast of the United States. The establish- ment of powerful centers of British, French, Ger- man and Russian domination on that side of the ocean would place us face to face with the aggres- sive front of European conquest. The partition would make the Pacific Ocean the principal scene of international strife, and California would then be not the back, but the front of the United States. It would be from San Francisco that we would keep watch on the rivalries of nations, and here would be the advance guard of protection against any pos- sible aggression against us. W begin in earnest the Christmas purchasing. Those who set about that task to-day will avoid the crush of the throngs that are sure to crowd the shops later in the week, and they will also have the advantage of an earlier choice of the novel- ties displayed and more time in which to make their selections. All things considered, this is pre-eminently the season to put into practice the old counsel, “come early and avoid the rush.” Many persons who have learned wisdom in such matters from past ex- perience have already made their purchases and are row awaiting the coming of the great holiday with serene minds undisturbed by the worry of hav- ing to shop in haste and struggle with crowds in order to have a chance to shop at all. To those who have the shopping vet to do the best course is to read the advertisements in The Call carefully, learn where are to be found the things that suit you and where they are offered at the best bargains, and then go ahead. Delays are dangerous this week. While you are looking for something better the thing that pleases you may be sold. Make up your mind promptly, transact your business with dispatch and give others a chance. That is the wis- dom and the courtesy of the scason. All who can afford the time to make their pur- chases before dark should do so. There are thou- sands of people who are kept busy at their work all dzy and who perforce must do their trading in the evening. It is only a fair consideration for the com- fort of others that those who have the leisure to shop by day should do so and leave the later hours for the working classes. It is going to be a busy week and a gay one. The best joy of Christmas is that which will be felt during this week of anticipation of what the day will bring. If any finer joy is fond in the realization it is that which will come to those who have not for- gotten to mark the season by some act of genuine charity. To remember the poor with generous help is one of the duties of the week, and that also should be provided for early lest in the closing rush it be overlooked and neglected. T AVOID THE RUSH. ITH the beginning of Christmas week will Courage and discretion become a policeman. To be vigilant and valiant is among his pleasing duties, yet oftentimes he falls short. Not so with Policeman Welch, who conserves law and adds to the majesty thereof across the bay. Could any sight have been finer than that of this gallant officer rush- ing bravely in and arresting two young ladies who had picked half a dozen roses from in front of a vacant house? Could any spectacle have been more impressive than his marching them to jail? Yet Welch never faltered. He was bold to actual reck- lessness, for he refrained from handcuffing his prisoners, despite the fact that they might, rather than face the consequences of their crime, have drawn a loaded hatpin on him. Such a policeman should not go unrewarded. Let a medal of leather adorn his swelling front, the horse trough be filled and he be counseled therein to soak his head. Mark Twain is certainly to be commended for paying his debts. Many men, however, have done the same thing and not had the fact heralded through two continents and the isles of the sea, which shows that what may be virtue may also be a matter of course, the difference being in the individual. But the peculiar thing about Twain's debts is the way he keeps clearing them up. As nearly as can be re- called from memory of newspaper accounts he has raid them off about twenty times, and the aggregate can be little short of "stcen billion. SIoslate s The Christmas edition of the San Francisco Evening Post, issued on Saturday last, was exceed- ingly creditable to that journal’s spirit of enterprise. The thirty-two pages of the paper were replete with excellent literature appropriate to the holiday sea- son, and the illustrations were handsome and at- tractive. Eeaul g After an attendant had bathed a patient in boil- ing water the superintendent explained that the acci- dent was one such as might occur at any time. The incident happened in a Boston asylum and will tend to lessen human faith in asylums generally. During an inmate’s lucid intervals he ought to be free from any apprehension of being cooked. There should be.a sequel to the snapshots taken at a recent hanging in Missouri, particularly if the pictures be placed on exhibition. A suitable one would be some more snapshots at the photographer, taken with a gun loaded to the muzzle and fired at not over ten paces. - If the Paris model who threw vitriol on a nvnl ever poses as an angel it will not be the sort of angel artists love to paint. . Among the objections to C. P. Bryan as Min- ister to China may be mentioned the fact that several other people want the job, I INDIVIDUAL- THOUGHTS. BY A MODEST CRITIC. The Hawaiian treaty continues to control Very properly, too, for the proposal to annex the Sandwich Islands is anything public attention. but ‘“child’s play.” It is a matter of distinct national concern. It seems curious that almost every coast journal has overlooked that fact altogether. Supposing it certain (and in supposing it we suppose the impossible) that this coast would be benefited by the proposed annexation, is it right to demand it when it is self-evident that the whole country will suffer thereby? I venture to think not. The question is so clearly a national one that to treat it as a purely local matter—and from a selfish standpoint, too—is to be un- patriotic as well as feeble-minded. I am glad, exceedingly, that the matter seems ¥ have been postponed for a while. It will give time for the education of those ‘who do not quite grasp the situation in its intricacies. I am an admirer of the President. I think him a manly man, and usually a clear thinker. At the same time, it seems well nigh impossibie to soive the riddle which the part of the message referring to-this question presents. By what method of reasoning can he have come to the conclusion that annexa- tion was not unwise? It is certain that in considering the advisability of accepting these islands (with their motley inhabitants) the responsibility for their protection must have presented itself to the President’s mind. Then, why did@ he not consult practical naval men about it? If he did, it is incredible that any officer of experience in that branch of the public service would be derelict enough in his duty not to point out the peril into which the consummation of this annexa- tion proposal would place us in the case of actual war. True, the naval expert of the Examiner and the strategic attache of the Chronicle see in the Sandwich Islands a “Gibraltar;” an *“outpost” and heaven only knows what besides. But I am writing for sensible people, not for the entertainment of condensed ignorance of that type. Incidentally, these gentle imbeciles do amuse slightly at times, even if they don’t instruct. And, parenthetically, I wonder what hazy notion they have as to the geographical position of Gibraltar, what its particular value to Great Britain is and what they imagine an outpost to be! The “fierce civilian” never makes himself quite so ridiculous as when he discourses on matters military or naval, and the wisdom or unwisdom of the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands is very largely a maval question. The proper defense of these islands, so long as we have national honor, follows on their annexation, and at present we are unable—and for many years shall be unable—to defend them. But there is one thig that we are able to do—deny to others the right to annex this group. We are, as a nation, Guite strong enough to say to all the other powers of the earth with reference tc the Hawaiian Islands, “Hands off!” And when we do say that in an earnest, dignified way each nation of the earth will respect the command. Mark Twain is the latest distinguished individual with an inartistic eye who has fallen in love with Sydney harbor. Sydney harbor is a succession of small coves, each seeming to be the prototype of the other, and so far as diverse scenery is concerned it surely is not equal to our own. There is no variation of the landscape at all. Some years ago my pious but unhandsome friend, Phil May, the now world-famous caricaturist, was sitting discussing with me the quite unin- teresting question of work. My memory is that it was on board the Orient liner Ormuz, then the chief object of interest in Sydney. Mr. MAy had, a few days before, received a commission to make ten or twenty (which was it, Phil?) sketches of the harbor for a somewhat celebrated illustrated work, since issued by a London publishing house. Mr. May, referring to the pro- posed sketches, said: “I thought it was the easiest thing in the world, so I got a boat and went out to work. Made one sketch; satisfied me to a degree. Went farther down and made another. When I started on the third it sud- | denly struck me that I had better go home. There was nothing more to sketch. The same old monotony of gum trees and water running down to the water’s edge. Nothing else. Of course, the coves do vary in shape, but it would have killed me to have attempted ten sketches. A man can’t go on his life through drawing nothing but gum trees and water!” I am not sure now as to how many engravings there are due to the facility of Mr. May’s pencil in the aforesaid illustrated work; but of this I am sure—Phil May has the eye of an artist; Mark Twain evidently has not. I am credibly informed that the Grand Jury proposes to make a report on the local pilotage question. This may to their minds be proper, but I, for one, object to their wasting their time on a matter with which they have no more | to do than they have with the sorrowful fact that the Fijians are still sock- less and the supply of filters sent to the Eskimo this winter is entirely inade-| quate. But, to talk seriously of this pilotage question: There may be faults in the present system; probably there are. Competitive pilotage is, possibly, best, though even that is quite a debatable question; but to insist that a man shall spend years and years of his life learning a channel (that is the correct technical term) and afterward be deprived of a fair living because others have watched the result of the years of his work and profited thereby is un- just. The “anti-pilot crusade,” to give it a name, is usually conducted by people who know little of the sea, as she is, less of the duties of pilots and nething whatever of what the mariner calls “the approach to San ¥rancisco.” The root of the whole trouble is this: There are a few disgruntled local shipowners who wish to escape payment of their share of a tax justly levied on ajl shipping entering this port, for the support of men who are as essential to it as is high water on the bar. Because some of these shipowners do not choose to allow the masters of their vessels to avail themselves of pilots’ services they wish to pocket their portion of the fair assessment above re- ferred to. It is amusing to see these same individuals when tnere is a heavy fog or a stiff gale of wind. Then the cry is, “My kingdom for a ‘pilot.”” ‘And then the pilot must respond, and for no greater pay than he would receive in fine weather. The danger being over, the insect mind returns to his attack on compulsory pilotage. The spokesman for these gentry is usually Mr. Charles E. Naylor, who is, doubtless, a most estimable gentleman. Mr. Naylor may, so far as I know, be able to establish his right to criticism of a sewing machine; he may know something of a typewriter; but to admit his right to talk on pilotage is absurd. It is, indeed, presumable that Mr. Naylor does know something about sewing machines, for he cnce sold them. It will be conceded that he knows a typewriter when he sees it; but it is not to be conceded that he knows aught about pilotage, his particular and general ignorance of this branch of life having been sufficiently exploited in the Overland. Were I, or any journalist, to suggest the lowering of bricklayers’ wages or the lengthening of the hours of a carpenter’s day’s work there would be emitted from this State such a chorus of disapproval as would startle the inhabitants of heaven by its roar and frighten the uttermost corners of the earth with its echoes. And I have no doubt this paper would show very com- mendable sympathy with the general indignation over the proposal by swell- ing the cry of anger at attempted injustice. The safe entrance to any harbor having a bar is learned by =uch work as pilots alone know. Unfortunately, few of them are able to write in defense of their craft; but if there is an individual who has the right to consideration as a writer on marine affairs who differs from the views herein expressed I shall be pleased to hear from him. The ability to write is not the point; the right to write on matters marine is the one thing that will give interest to ony discussion. My right to write critically on this subject was admitted long before Mr. Charles E. Naylor began to sell typewriters. Mr. John Brisben Walker, who, when not otherwise employed, suspects himself of editing the Cosmopolitan, has written (or has had written for him) in the current issue, under his own name, an article on “Dana and George.” The idea of a man criticizing either of these writers who can evolve such a sentence as the quotation from this magazine which follows! “The end of it all is that the position as president of this new university has been tendered to one of the most distinguished men now at the head of a great college, and assurances have been received that it will meet with a favorable response if he can be relieved from his present sition.” po"Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” ‘Writing of the Cosmopolitan reminds me that in that magazine are being published a series of articles on “Our Late War With Spain.” We have, of course, in the author’s imagination, defeated the enemy already, though all the details of our victory are not’ to hand. They are promised for January. 5 These articles are, like all such matter, vicious to a degree. We are supposed to have equipped and dispatched a fighting force of 147,000 men to Cuba in forty-eight hours after the declaration of war. Cannon, rifies and ammunition,as wellasmenproperly accoutered,appeared at call,and joyously the expedition set out with our whole fleet, leaving the country unprotected. I say articles of this nature are vicious, for they lull the average being into a false sense of security. Men cannot, in these days, fight without guns, and in order to show with distinctness the trash that is written in these articles I will quote: “The St. Louis, of the American Hne, had arrived in port, and was being fitted with 200 rapid-fire guns, which had come by rail for that purpose.” (November Cosmopolitan.) From where did they come? How many plants have we capable of turning out rapid-fire guns? And when it comes to a 10-inch rifle the situation is quite serious. The same sort of criti- cism applies to the arming of the men with rifles, though, of course, in a modified way. 5 It was folly of this sort—the writing of inflammatory articles based on ignorance and the cultivation of the creed, “We are masters of the situa- tion”—that led to the humiliation of France a quarter of a century ago. I repeat that imagery of this sort is pernicious. It is essential to face the situation as it’'is, not as we dream it might be. An amount of criticism has been indulged in because the German Govern- ment has seen fit to compel the Haytians to behave. For doing so the mans deserve applause, not censure. Some fifteen or twenty years ago, in Port au Prince, the American flig was torn to pieces, and immediately thereafter the British flag (taken from the consulate) was treated in like manner. The natives were only- op revolution bent, a pastime that they engage in religiously from time to time; but on this occasion, as in the recent pleasantry, it cost them money ‘and sorrow. This country had then no ship available to compel the respect due the flag, but there were frtends who had. The Haytians did then as they have done now—paid a salute to the nation that very properly compelled them to ‘‘toe the mark.” I think the name of the gunboat sent from Jamaica was Bulldog, but it is so long ago that it would be unwise to swear to it. s Thanks to the new navy, there is to-day a certainty that if the negro humor shall tn in the act of dancing on the flag exceptional dellght we are in a position to and indubitably shall compel him to “pay the piper.” ‘William Henry Theodore Durrant has once again been sentenced to dle, Popular sentiment is so much against this convicted criminal that it 1a pos- | bility is going on the stage. sibly best to let the matter alone; but Jjust comment before his death can do no harm. I point out this fact: He could not and did not have an impar- tial trial in San Francisco. (I am not arguing he is innocent; possibly he is guilty. I heard none of the evidence, and am incompetent to judge.) In ii- lustration of popular sentiment, look at Henry J. McCoy's utterance to L J. Truman: “If you don’t hang him / we will hang you!” Coy. It is presumable that he heard none of the evidence, since he is secre- tary of the Young Men’s Christian As- sociation, and, presuming that he per- forms his duties conscientiously, he had no time to be at. the trial. Mr. McCoy is bynature phlegmatic, though occasionally enthusiastic on matters that concern hiin intimately. If, then, a man like Mr. McCoy. can allow his tongue to so easily run away with his head, what ‘will the thinking man say when he is asked whether there was intense popular prejudice against this man Durrant at the time of his trial? Guilty or not guilty. it is possibly for the public weal that he should hang; but when he goes te the gallows no one can truthfully say that he was tried by an impartial jury. Here, by the by, there is an oppor- tunity to point a moral, and, incident- ally, to adorn a tale, in which both W. S. Barnes and Judge Bahrs figure. The dates of this criminal’s appear- ance in court for sentence have been accurately predicted by the District Attorney. The precise time for the ex- ecution of the sentence has apparently been known to him long before its pronouncement by the court to the world at large. If Judge Bahrs and Mr. Barnes imagine that this sort of conduct is likely to “elevate the legal profession and the bench” they err’ This class of behavior is what is com- monly called “playing to the gallery,” but becoming decency is much more fitted to the occasion as well as the cloth. Mr. Barnes has no more right to know beforehand the date to be designated for a murderer's execution than have I—and I have none. The incidents referred to may all be coin- cidences of thought, but they have come so unvaryingly that it strains one’s credulity to accept the coinci- dence theory. —_—————— Special information supplied daily to manufacturers, business houses and pub- lic men by the Press Clipping Bureau (Allen’s), 519 Montgomery street, San Francisco. Telephone, Main 1042. > —_————— Cal.glace fruit 50c perlb at Townsend’s.* —_———— Christmas Presents. On the same floor with the children's books, games and dolls we have a very cheap line of toilet cases, albums, decor- ated vases and small statuary at prices to please purchasers. Sanborn, Vail & Co., 74l Market street. - _—— Another member of the European no- Countess Samuel Gyulay of Budapest, who was Baroness Alice Becsly, will appear soon in *“‘poses plastiques” in Paris. *Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup” Has been used over fifty years by millions of Mmothers for their children while Teething with perfect success. It soothes the child, softens the gums, allays Pain, cures Wind Colic, regu- lates the Bowels and is the best remedy for Diarrhoeas, whether arising from teething or other causes. For sale by Druggists in every part of the world. Be sure and ask for Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. a bottle. e b Z CORONADO.—Atmosphere is perfectly dry, soft and mild, being entirely free from the mists common further north. Round-trip tick- ets, by steamship, including fifteen days' board at the Hotel del Coronado, $65; longer stay, §2 50 per day. Apply 4 New Montgomery street, San Francisco, or A. W. Bailey, man- ager Hotel del Coronado, late of Hotel Colo- rado, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. F S R Our annual supply of firecrackers shows that we have money to burn. e Coughs and colds cured with Low’s Horehound Cough Syrup; price 10c. 417 Sansome street. 4 NEW TO-DAY. Furniture for Christmas—ths whole family enjoys 1t. We’ve said this before, but the picture so cutely illustrates the point that we say it again. Day before yesterday we re- ceived the last of our Christmas dressing tables, and, luckily for late-comers, some of the pret- tiest of the year were last to come. Enjoy the Christmas store ! OPEN EVENINGS. California Furniture Company (N. P. COLE & CO.) Carpets 117-123 Geary St - fi:finzfl Wise Men Say “Health is better than Wealth." CoD LIVER 0il £ Phosphates CURES Colds, Bron~ ption, Coughs, chitis, Debility, Wasting Diseases, Asthma, Influenza, Scrofulous Humors, etc., ete Fhysic'ans vrescribe it All druggists sell it. Ask tor WILBOR'S and :ake 10 other. I know Mr. Mec- ,