, 1873-01-21
Business Prospects, Communication Of
the Sentence Of O Muir
dorer.
Curious Utilization Of PhonograpIy..:Th
Modoc War..A Breeze in Com.
naerciaI Circles.
Laura Fairs Libel Suit..-Literary
Matters.

Ih0 new year proml6e6 prosperity 10 oaltlor-
MIA. Timoly raina havo scattered their benef-
iconcca through tho grain aud grazing districts
Of tho State with unvonted prodigalitN soften
ing tho soil for tho plov and Encouraging tho
horbago, and, as natural res,''s,
THE TONE OF Bus1NEss-c1RoLEs
Las materially improved. Tho storm OF the last
two woeks whose conclusion has not yet been
reached, has already given ua ten inches of rain,
which amount ia llkoly to be- largely Increased
by several heavy clouds that aro now awaiting
opportunities to poll their votoa. And all Of
this wator has descended so dcooroualy that
no damage has boon done railroad, farm,
or highway. Tho value of good crops will 10
enhnnced by Increased facilities for trnnsporta-
tion of tho products OF the soil to San Francisco
aud other ports for shipment, a. several Of tho
local railroads projectod within tho last six
months aro to bo completed In timo to operate
during tho next season. Competition In homo
transportation Is tho present great noed of the
stato,--a fact that the farming class and the
pooplo OF tho interior olties aud towna now np-
prcciato. The war agailat tho Central paciflo
Railroad Is carried on by Sun Francisco at,d d
few citios Of lcBsor note, who hold meetings at
rcgulnr intervals, md pass resolutions con-
domnatory Of alleged outrageous ssindling
by that corporation. Meantime tho coun-
tics unaffected by tho Central view
affairs through their respective indus
trial knot-holos, and brayely strive to work their
own salvation. So much for tho cropa and kim
dred interests. Tho manufacturing prospects
for tho year aro cheerful, aud business Of legiti-
mate mining is pregnant with promise.
Socially, matters arc not altogether lovely.
Tho people and tie lending journals long cried
out, al with ono voice, that
LIFE WAg NOT HELD SACRED
in California, and apparently lanlentcd that tho
mellow notes Of tho pistol rang out duly upon
tho balmy air,-tlrowing I'LL tho blanc for the
prevalent disregard Of human lifo upon tho s,-
premo Court, which, 1t was alleged, had allowed
many mombors to escape through trivial legal
technlcalitieB; and yet, whom the tribunal
fulfilled its duty by refusing to grant
d now trial for acoundrcl who Ind
been twice convicted Of murder by honest and
Intelligent jurors, enough pressure was brought
to bear upon tho Governor to secure a commu-
tation OF the sentence to imprisonment for life.
The Hcafrold waa rendy for its legitimate victim,
the nooso hung limp and wide open, the follows
coffin was ct tho jail door, the reporters pencils
wore shnrponod for faithful portrayal Of tho
dying throes, aud in throo hours William Dono-
van, the slayer Of an upright Contra Costa
farmer, would have expiated Ills crime nccorl-
ing to tho eentonce Of the Court had not Exec
utiye olomoney intoryenod. Donovan's frat
wife died in childbirth, aud his second, after
being beaton and banged by him for throe
or four years, departed this earth In
an illneaB born Of his brutality. IIo
was confined in Jail for deliriun1 tremens in
Canada, several years ago, and, ever since that
tnae, ho llan been subject to fits OF Bo-calod in
sanity, superinducel by bad article Of whiskoy.
Governor Dooth, referring to Ills reasons for in
torferlng III DonoyAn'a caso, says that he takes
no stock in the insanity theory, and pardonB tho
thousand citizens. Tho ncaHold hns been housed.
Considering TINT thero aro about fifty murderors
now awaiting trial in tho State, e,-thirtoen Of
them thom Occupy occupying quarters In TIC San Fran
Governor il not calculated to hayo
q snlutary effect upon the morals OF tho people.
Tho sanitary condition Of tho State aside from
tho danger Of violent doathB ainco the commuta-
tion Of Donovans sentence, is very satisfactory.
things all in all, really think VIC aro favored.
CURIOUS UTILIZATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY.
Charles ,sumnor,-not tho Senator, but 4
shorthand reporter for the County Court ,-in o
Lecture On the Sseg and 9f
ro1atoa m interesting account Of His
experience Of consulting physicians who
wnnt to diagnose chronic Diseases, and called in
tho aid Of the shorthand reporter They were
complete description Of tho patient, within tho
Ordinary calling time; and III one instance by
such dictation from Dr.. David Wooster, in q
very important case, concurrent opinion wns
separately obtained from bakers dozen OF doc
tors. Without announcing his Judgment as to
the character Of the dlaeaBe, the Doctor sapilly
daguerreotyped the appearance and symptoms Of
tho man. Returning to his Office, lo stated
to tho reporter what WIGS his con-
shaton,.s sS9n ts.tSs to hs spen aa the
cations, nnd tho probabilities OF recovery,-the
reporter tranacribing tho picture Of tile patient.
And, on independent examination Of tile test,
thirteon other leading phyaicians rendered tho
the original inspector. For onco-and probably
because there was no personal contact-doctors
did agree With single exception, thoy gave it as
their opinion that tho patient would die within n
date Of diagnosis. This il crcditable alike to
photography and tho medical profession.
THE MoDOo WAR.
At last accounts, tho Modoo Indians, in 6iskt-
you County, were skulking about tho lsva-beIs
half-starved wrotches, homoless, friendless, aud
hopeless. Tho armies Of the United States wore
quarterea around tho lava-beds. ut Bafo distances
from the foo, and In position that promised con
tinuel good health md comfort to officers aud
men. Whom tho last carrier left the aceno Of
the expected battle, only ono eyont OF impor-
tauoo had occurred, and that did not involve any
loss Of life. It seoms that q teamster in
Charge OF d wagou-loadot moerscLaum pipes, to-
bncc0, cologne, and canned jelieB for QUO
wing Of tho ARMY, miaaed bis way, and stumbled
upon the Indians, who broke tho follows head
aud walked away with tho supplies. In future,
tho wagons will bo eBcorted through tho Indian
country by two men. Tho heavy ordnance Of
tho army il now en- route for the laya-bol, whore
all impromptu tort will bo constructed, and tho
bonlbaydnant at onco commenced and, accord
Ing to presont Indications, the termination OF
tho struggle is now only a question OF timo.
dpropos Of this question Of timo, It is we'll to
remark that tho people Of California aro eating
to 10 suspicious TINT thore Id eitLor utter inelt
cioncy III the conduct Of tho campaign, or that
thero is some sort Of an Understanding
about tho figures OF tho Comna[asary and
Quartornlastcr bills which a:o to DO footedby the
Btatoau General Governments. This MOdoo war
businoBs is q disgracefrl farco. The Indians
wore llarmless, and mover should hayo beon dis
turbed. The trouble originated through tho