New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-23
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TOPICS IN LEADING CITIES.
SAN FRANCISCO.
THE RAILROAD TAX 'CASES-A NEWSPAPER
CHANGE-THE GLENN RANCH.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBl

CHANGE-THE GLENN RANCH.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUSE.l
SAN FRANCISCO. Sept. 22.-The important event
OF the week has been the decision by Justice Feld Of
the United States Supreme Court Of eghty-fve rail-
road tax cases which have been lingering in the
Circuit Court for months. The case Of Santa Clara
County against the Southern Pacific Railroad Conl-
pany was made the test case. The railroad held
that its property should be assessed precisely like
that of private person business Grm. mortgages
being deducted from the assessible valuation. The
county officers under the Constitution assessed
the road to Its full value including mortgages. JUS
tlce Field decided that no discrimination against
railroad corporation could be made. as the principle
Of the assessment was unconstitutional and In
direo violation of the XIVth Amendment This 10
the principle for which tho railroad company has
been fighting for time. and this result will lead
to a assessment in the various counties Cir
cult Judge Sawyer filed an elaborate opinion concur
ring In tho decision of Justice Fold. The counties
were represented by some of the ablest lawyers in
the State aud their briefs these cases would fill
bushel-basket.
Ever since the death of MacCrelsh rumors have
been crcuared of change in the politics and man
agement OF The Alta California, the most inhu-
entail newspaper In the city, The cause OF these
the fact that for about two years the
Central Pacific Railroad held mortgage on The
Alta for $4,000. This with accrued interest the
paper could not pay, and this week transfer was
made to the railroad company. The reorganization
will soun take place. 1t is understood that John P.
Irish, lately of Iowa, will be the leading odi-
toral writer. It's politics will be Democratic. with
the pronounced purpose of advocating Justice
Fields nomination for the Presidency 1t Is doubt
full whether The alta can be made success on this
plan. The best to recruit 1t was to m axe IL
a thorough going Republican paper without aunt
atons with machine politics or railroads. 1t would
then have gained the support of the best class OF
Republicans AS the only Democratic organ in the
city is stary ing for lack of support, the outlook
not cheerful for the new Bourbon venture.
The trial of Gray for embezzlcment is dragging
its slow length along in court. An effort has been
made to delay the case by technical hght over MS
extraditon from Sonora, but unsuccessfully. Gray
evidently counts tie collapse OF the prosecutions
as he gives dark hints of the exposure OF proml-
nent officials if he is forced to the wall. His talk
regarded as mere bUasting. with nothing back vi 1t.
1t is impossible to discover whether the fever now
raging in Guaymas and other parts of Sonora 10
yellow-fever only an aggravated form OK
tonton fever, an epidemic which prevails in
Mexico In the dry season and has many of the feat
ures of "yellow Jack.n This fever is virulent In q
town like Guaymas, which, like Yuma, Is sad
to be the hottest place on the continent. As the
MexIcans have not the faintest idea Of sanitary
regulations tho disease has full sway. private
letter from Guaymas gives fearful picture OF the
town. tn, manufacture of lcc and collins being the
only industries that have not been stopped Every
one with means has abandoned the pest-ridocn
place. There was some alarm here early in the
week. but the quarau tine at Nogales on the border
effectaaly prevents the spread of the disease to
this city.
The breaklng-up of the great Glenn wheat ranch,
the largest cultivated farm in the country, will soou
take place. About IL. 900 acres scarcely moro
than onethird of the ranch advertised for sale
in six parcels aud other farms, doubtless, will be
shortly placed on the market This splittng-up OF
the vast estate will be good thing for California
as this ranch, like the Bonanza farms of Minnesota
and DAKOTA, makes q large part of Colusa County
almost a wilderness. traveller may ride for al
ontire day on the highway across this ranch and
pass through only the single town of Jacinto, which
was owned by Dr. Glenn and peopled by his depend
ants.
The injuries which General Mcdowell received .
few days ago while driving In the park, though
serious, are not thought to be dangerous. Still it
IS uncertain what will be the result OF the shock to
man of his age. He was recently appointed Park
Commissioner and it was while on his frst tour az
inspection that he was hurt.