davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
THE SWAMP LAND FALLAcY.

Among the many delusions which have
been swarming about the muddled heads of
the opponents of debris legislation, the
most persistent and intractable is the
swamp land fallacy. The shape this fallacy
takes depends largely upon the idiosyn-
crazy of the victim, but its commonest
form is that of rooted conviction that
nothing ought to be done which may di-
rectly or indirectly benefit owners of
swamp lands. Again and again has it
been declared by members in the Assembly
that they were in favor of building dams
in the mountains, and clearing out the
rivers, but thaY they would never-no,
never-consent to any plan which might,
could, would or should reclaim swamp
lands. Now we desire, in all kindliness
and patience, TO point out to these swamp
land haunted gentlemen, that their declara-
lions in this regard are incompatible with
an understanding of the situation. The
case is thus in orderto clear out the rivers
it is necessary to levee their banks,
so as to increase the velocity of the cur
rent by confirming it, That is the only
way in which the rivers can be made to
scour out their own channels, and to that
plan the anti-swamp- landers declare them
selves favorable. But it is impossible to
levee the banks of the rivers without in
cidentally retaining the swamp lands
which lie behind the projected levees. No
matter how disafected towards swamp
land owners the levee builders may be,
they cannot restore the rivers to their
originalcarrying capacity without in so do
ing retaining swamp lands. Nor is there
any conceivable method by which this
state of things can be altered. If levees
are built reclamation must follow If
levees are not built the river chan
nels cannot be cleared out. Those,
therefore, who say that they are
in favor of clearing cut the rivers, but do
not want swamp lands to be reclaimed,
occupy an impossible position, and it is not
too much to suggest that they do not know
what they are talking about As, more
over the owners of swamp lands are to
pay special taxes for reclamation under the
Young bill, it is difficult to understand
what all this fuss is about. no matter how
it is regarded. Before the anti-swamp-
landers go any further they are certainly
under obligations to point out how the
rivers can be cleared out without at the
same time retaining the oyerfowed lands.
Until they have demonstrated the practical
bility of that, we submit that they ought
! to suspend their obiurgations.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
QUESTIONS UNANSWERED.

The questions which have been put to
the supporters of the Grant boom, as to the
nature of that mysterious power which
General Grant is alleged to be able to bring
TO bear upon the Democrats, should they
contemplate any crookedness, remain I'M
answered, notwithstanding the obvious de-
STABILITY CT giving the people the informa-
ton they solicit. Nobody has thus far
vouchsafed to say what General Grant can
do that any other candidate cannot do, in
a case of the kind referred to. Nobody has
undertaken to make it clear how the
election of General Grant can affect
Southern sentiment or legislation more
than the election of any other man. The
g boomsters," however, continue to throw
out vague hints as to the magnificent re-
suits Of nominating GO strong man,
though whenever they are pressed to
explain what they mean by " strong
man they fall back upon dignifed
silence, or affect not to have heard
the inquiry. Neither is any answer
given to the somewhat pertinent question
how Grants strength can be greater now
than it was at the close of his second adj
ministration, when, as some people still
recollect, he had lost the whole of the
Southern States and half of the Northern
and Middle States, to the Republican
party. Then was the time for him to have
exhibited the mysterious strength now
ascribed to him, but he certainly did not
then show himself capable of redeeming
the party from the slough into which the
vices of his administration had plunged it.
Once more the question must therefore be
put How can General Grant prevent any
thing that any other candidate could not
prevent, or do anything which any other
candidate could not do? Until this ques-
tion is answered it must be assumed that
the Grant boom rests upon spurious
foundation.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
NEWS OF THE MORNING.

Ii New York Thursday Government bonds were
quoted at 1861 for As of 1907; loS1 for SO OF 1881
Ios3 for As sterling, 81 s5494 ss4 silver bars,
ia silver coin, discount buying, par selling.
SILVER in London Thursday, 52sd consOls,
ss 1l6; 5 per cent. United States bonds, 1851 As,
1851 As, Ill.
liz San Francisco half dollars are quoted at par;
Mexican dollars, 81 buying, 9ll selling.
AT Liverpool Thursday wheat quoted at los
6d@I1s ID for California average and lis to lis Cd
for California club.
AN assessment of 70 cents has been levied by the
Belcher Mining Company.
MIXING STOCKS were decidedly weak in San Fran
cisco yesterday morning. There was something of
a break in Union Consolidated which fell to sS2 So
the lowest in six weeks, aud other adjacent stocks
sympathized, showing a weakness among holders.
Compared with the best rates Thursday noon, the
best prices yesterday showed decline of 81 Is in
Utah, 81 in Sierra Nevada, 81 so in Union CONSOLE
dated 81 in Mexican 81 in ophir, and from &c to 75c
in nearly all other Csmstock descriptions.
MAsTERsoN, who escaped from the Ukiah Jail last
Thursday, has been recaptured.
GENERAL JOE LANE is Democratic candidate for
the Oregon State Senate
GEORGE MuNsoN was fatally kicked by horse
Wednesday at La Grande, Or.
A WOMAN was recently found murdered in the Big
Lake country, Washington Territory.
An Indian horse thief shot dead at the Una
tilla Agency while trying to escape.
By reference to our weather dispatches it will be
seen that the storm of yesterday and the day before
was quite general and that on the mountains it was
hain tba
ground than at any previous time this winter
SEVERAL washouts occurred yesterday on the rail
road between lone and Gait.
COMPANY C, Sixth Cavalry, has been ordered from
Arizona New Mexico to assist in the protection OF
the settlers of that section.
The track OF the Southern Pacific Railroad is now
laid twcnty-one miles east of Tucson.
THE State Senate yesterday passed large number
of bills. The debris BILL after long discussion,
was referred to the Committee on Irrigation, Water
Rights and Drainage.
THE Nebraska Democrats have elected Tilden DEL
egates to the Cincinnati Convention
DIVIDEND of Il per cent. has been declared by
the Chicago, Burlington ana Quincy Railroad Com
pany.
The Assembly yesterday passed to a third reading,
with important amendments, the bill to erect 2
Normal School building at San Jose, and made the
same the special order for to-day.
SESSIONS of both branches OF the Legislature were
held last evening and large number OF bills passed
On the second page this morning viii be found
the regular Agricultural Department, review of
new publications. the departments Of "outdoor
AmusemeDts and Our Letter-Box," musical and
dramatic notes, etc. The third page contains con-
tinuation of Farjeon's great story, Set in Silver
Sea" "My Widow" poetry; The Household, >"
and the weekly review of the San Francisco markets
On the sixth page is given ''The Quiet Hour de-
nartment and various miscellaneous articles
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03

"priming-iron all which artillery may be
"of gold or silver, if he can reach to the
"price of it it will be reasonable pawn
:" at all times, when. the current of his
money falls out to run low" Decker
further relates how it was the custom for
fashionable youths to sit on the stage when
they went to the theater, and to smoke
there also; and when after the close of
the afternoon performance they adjourned
TO the tavern, pipes and tobacco were to
be produced Immediately. As regards
Shakespeare's mention OF snuff, it seems to
us at least questionable whether Hotspur's
description OF the perfumed court noble
who demanded his prisoners does not re-
fer to the snuff of tobacco
''Twixt his finger and his thumb he held
A pouncet box which ever and anon
He gave his nose, aud took't away again
Who Herewith angry, when it next came there,
Took it in snutf"
Here we have all the actions which accom-
pany the taking of snuff, and as we have
shown that both tobacco and snuff were
known and used in Shakespeare's time.
there is no reason why he should not have
referred to tobacco snuff in the passage
quoted His general silence on tobacco is
indeed extraordinary when we know how
holly the use of it was discussed during
his lifetime, and it seems equally mex
plicable, whether we suppose him to have
been lover or contemner of the weed.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
THAT AMERICAN STATESMAN"

The last number of BJack7Cood has
paper entitled An American Statesman
<'on Irish Atrocities, which appears to
have been taken quite seriously by several
of ,our contemporaries. 1t is introduced
by a letter which we should have thought
must have convinced any reader that the
whole thing is a burlesque, obviously in
tended as Tory campaign document of the
sharpest malignity. The hypothetical
American statesman no doubt resides in
Edinburgh, and though he has taken the
United States for point of departure, his
sole object is to demonstrate the wick
edness of the Liberals, and the badness
of their logic in regard to Eastern politics.
The conception of the American Statesman
is such as could never have occurred to
any one who was not wholly unacouainted
with our political class. It combines the
Puritan and the demagogue as they have
have long since ceased to be combined in
the United States. We have now two
classes of public men. The best of them
could not have so leavened their policy
with shameless knavishuess and the worst
OF them could not SO have leavened their
knavishness with policy. The character in
short is evidently fabrication, and the
whole paper is rather poor and weak
satire.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
IRREGULAR ARMED COMPANIES.

The bill to prohibit the organization of
irregular armed companies is one which
ought to be enacted The public have a
right. to demand from the State protection
against such menaces as the late ostenta-
tious drilling and parading of irregular
armed companies in San Francisco consti-
tuted. The constitutional guarantee of
the right of the people to bear arms does not
operate to prevent the prohibition of such
companies. The constitutional provision
does not signify that everyone shall be
entitled to levy war against everyone
else, or make ostensible preparations for
levying war. The right to bear arms has
never been construed to justify the car
rying of concealed weapons, and every
municipality exercises its authority freely
In making that practice illegal, and in pun
ishing those who violate the customary
ordinance. The State is the proper and
the only proper judge as to the limits
within which the right to bear arms shall
be exercised, and in the performance of its
functions it is under direct obligation to
prevent the abuse of that right by ire
sponsible or ill-disposed persons. The reg
ularly organized militia should alone be
permitted to bear arms, and the Legisla-
ture ought to pass such law as has been
already proposed, securing this necessary
and seasonable restriction.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
sBs KgspEARE AND TOBACCO.

We usually expect to find tolerably
sound archaeology in that valuable recep-
tacle of stray facts, Notes and Queries, but
correspondent of that publication, in
attempting to explain the phrase cup to
''snuff, makes an extraordinary blunder.
1t seems that recent French writer trans
lates the word "snuf' in g King Lear, "
Ill, l, by tabac, and our rash censor
thinks he must have been unaware that in
tShakespeare's time tobaccoand snuff were
unknown, and that no allusion to either
occurs in his works" 1t is certainly true,
and not less remarkable than true, that no
reference to tobacco occurs in any of
Shakespeare's writings. This is remark
able, however, for the reason that tobacco
was not only known but generally and
even lavishly used in his time. There is
scarcely a contemporary writer whose
works do not make abundant mention of
this fact. The famous Counterblast
''to Tobacco" was published by
King james In lbU4, and Shakes
peare lived until 1914. Now in
King James "Counterblast (" he clearly
shows that the use of tobacco had become
general in England. Thus he says And
'is it not great vanity, that man cannot
heartily welcome his friend now, but
g straight they must be in hand with To-
bacco? No, it is become in place of a
cure, point of good-fellowship, and he
that will refuse to take pipe of Tobacco
among his fellows Though by his own
election he would rather feel the SAVIOR
OF sinkl is accounted peevish and no
''good company, even as they do with tip
"pling in the cold eastern countries. 4"
Thomas Decker, another contemporary of
Shakespeare, has recorded, in ssThe Cults
Hornbook, the universally of the prac-
tice Of smoking, and also of taking snuff.
He is describing the habits and manners
of the fashionable young men of the day,
and having taken one of them into
an ordinary, or restaurant, he says
Before the meat come smoking to the
board, our gallant must draw out his
" tobacco box, the ladle for the
"cold snuff into the nostrils, the tongs and
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
A pREposrERoUs SUGGESTION.

The San Francisco Chronicle gravely sug-
gests that inasmuch as Congress has before
it proposition to appropriate small
amount towards the Improvement of
rivers and the holding back of the
debris in the mountains, it might
be good policy for the State Legis-
lature to abandon all debris legisla-
ton, and wait to see what Congress will do.
If the desire of the State Legislature was
to prevent all remedial action in the prem
Uses, this would be sound policy, but if the
State Legislature wis hes to get thefdebris
question settled, and if it wishes to secure
the cooperation of Congress, more fatu-
GUS course than the one suggested could
not be conceived. The only hope of secur-
ing Congressional aid lies in the adoption
of the principle of self-help If Con-
gress sees that the State is buck
ling to the work itself, it will be
disposed to cooperate in the undertaking,
but if it sees that the State is disinclined
to put its hand in its own pocket for pro-
ject which is certainly far more local than
national in its bearings, our delegation will
exert itself in vain to obtain an appropria-
ton. There is only one rational course
open to the Legislature, and that is to pass
the bill now in the Senate. That done,
Congress will probably make an appropria-
ton of 100000 or $500, GOO, and thus the
burden of the State will be ightened, at
the same time that the application of the
necessary remedies viii be guaranteed.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03

IulneSs Is not less dpparenb IMAM lnelr aD-
stract Importance, moreover. 1t is only
by studying them that our lawmakers and
judges can discover the innermost spirit of
the organic law they are called upon to
construe, and in this connection they are
not less indispensable than those bodies
of commentary and calculation which form
the foundation of juridical science, and
without which the intelligent study of ju-
risprudence would be task too arduous
for the strongest mind.
1t is not to be supposed, nor should it be
expected, that the State will derive any
direct pecuniary advantage from this pub
LEGATION. The subject is not one which
can be measured by the material standard
of actual dollars and cents Even from
the most sordid standpoint, however, it
may be alleged that the investment is a
sound one, and that the returns are as GER
tain as in any conceivable case. Nor must
it be forgotten that in adopting the new
Constitution the majority of the voters of
California declared themselves satisfied
with the manner in which the Convention
had performed its labora, and that there
fore it would have been incompatible with
a due regard for the prevailing sentiment to
have refused to preserve the records of
the work accomplished But in truth,
the character of the debates is their
best defense, and we are satisfied that
no intelligent citizen will ever have
cause to regret the outlay which has
kept them from oblivion, and placed them
within the reach of al who may have need
to examine them. The Importance of such
records has indeed been always recognized
in the States which have revised their
| Constitutions, and we do not think the
possibility of deliberately sacrificing them
has ever been suggested until it was advo-
Gated here, under the inspiration of a mar
row and shortsighted prejudice. It is easy
to perceive how deeply interesting and i'm
! portant must have been the debates over
the first French Constitution. In such a
case there is no difficulty in securing re-
cognition of the significance and value of
similar records. Yet the history OF
a mental revolution in the COM
munity to which we belong is of
infinitely greater consequence to our
selves and our posterity, and these
latter would assuredly have had just cause
for complaint had mistaken estimate of
the debates prevented their publication.
Half century hence these volumes will
be worth five times the amount now appro-
priated for printing them. Their value will
increase with years. They abound not
only with lessons but with warnings. They
can teach US not only what to seek but
what to avoid. 1t is even possible that
the errors they record may hereafter prove
more useful than the triumphs of sound
argument they present, and that the men,
Dry of fallacies whose real nature was SO
far beyond the comprehension of many OF
our Constitution makers, may serve to pre-
vent the preparation of future Legislative
blunders far more menacing to the inter
ests of the State than any which have
hitherto been committed.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
INCREASE OF CIRCULATION.

Over FIVE hundred new subscribers were
added TO the WEEKLY UNION list during
the month of March just past. The circu-
lation of the WEEKLY UNION has been
increased by over five thousand since the
first day of last December, period of four
months. This is undoubtedly the largest
increase of circulation ever known in the
history OF California journalism. The cir
culation Of the WEEKLY UNION is now
greater than that of any journal west of
ST. I,ouis.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
SECRETARY sHERMAN's DECLARATION

The most significant point in the speech
made by Secretary Sherman at Mansfield
is that In reference to his own candidature
He said 'fThere is one condition, scarcely
necessary to state, upon which my can
6 didaey depends, and that is, if the Re-
"publicans of Ohio do not fairly and fully
sin their Convention express preference
for me, and support it with substantial
unanimity in the National Convention,
my name will not be presented to that
Convention with my consent" Since
this speech was delivered it has been as
serted, though with what truth we do not
know, that Sherman cannot secure the en-
tire Ohio delegation, and that, realizing
this, he has indicated his intention to
withdraw from the canvass This, how
ever, remains to be demonstrated, and
for the present it seems more probable
that he relies upon an undivided delega-
ton. Mr.. Sherman undoubtedly possesses
strong claims upon both the Republican
party and the country. He has, on the
whole, performed very difficult duty both
wisely and well. His political training
has frequently interfered with the consist
ency and soundness OF his financial utter
ances, but it is to be said in his favor that
his acts have often been more conservative
and judicious than his words, and that he
has stood manfully between the currency
and the various bands of mischievous fools
which have sought to tamper with it.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03

The rapid extension of the circulation of the
WEEKLY UNION is Unprecedented. It's subscription
list is constantly being added to by clubs and single
subscribers from all over the country. With the
close OF the legislative session more room will be
available for choice reading matter for the home,
for business reports, for agricultural intelligence
for the departments of art, fashion, house decora
ton, anecdote, mechanics correspondence, religious
news book reviews, editorials, Congressional pro-
ceedings, market reports, and all the multudinous
departments of the paper The WEEKLY UNION is
issued on Wednesdays and Saturdays, eight pages
each. making total of sixteen pages each week. all
for 81 per year. making it the cheapest and best
paper OF the day.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03

existence of general Liberal reaction has
made itself so plainly felt as to Justify the
prediction that the places still to be heard
from will increase the Liberal strength suf
ticiently to insure change of Government.
Until the Home Rule situation is known,
however, it cannot be determined whether
the Liberal victory is after all the opening
to tenable position for that party.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
LIBERAL GAINS IN ENGLAND.

The English elections have thus far re-
suited in such large gains to the Liberals
that the defeat of the Beaconsfeld Govern
ment is already taken for granted. The
returns which are given in the dispatches
do not appear to warrant this conclusion,
as the Conservatives counted upon losing
forty seats, but it is probable that the
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03

of to-day will strengthen the general
likeness between the two situations so far
as the estimate of miraculous claims is
concerned, and it appears to us that no
more trustworthy method of illuminating
ancient history can be adopted than that of
testing it by comparison with generically
identical modern conditions.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
ANOTHER ARGUMENT FOR A STATE
CoNSTABULARY

On the 3lst of March the store of
Nathan Lusk, at San Gabriel, Los Angeles
county, was entered and robbed by masked
men, and one of the clerks was shot and
seriously wounded. On the same night a
store at Spadra, few miles from San
Gabriel, was robbed andafterwards burned.
The dispatch reciting these events says
g 1t is thought these robbers are the same
gang who committed the depredations at
"Anaheim q short time since" Thus it
appears that band of desperadoes
are plundering and burning stores, and
shooting citizens, in the southern
part of the State, and this with
IMMUNITY. Here is fresh and forcible
illustration of the need of State Con-
stabulary. Had such force been
was committed, it may be regarded as GER
tain that the police would have captured
the robbers before they could have perpe-
trated another outrage. 1t is just such
conditions that a State Constabulary is
needed to deal with. The local authori-
ties in our extensive and sparsely- settled
counties are powerless to protect outlying
settlements, or to follow up brigands after
outrages have been committed. But a
competent State Constabulary such as the
bill now before the Legislature provides for
would rout out all the marauders in year,
and make the country too hot for their
kind. There is no measure more impera-
lively demanded in the public interest
than this, and the Legislature will not be
justified in neglecting to pass it.