New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-18
SAN FRANCISCO.
BOURBON POLITICS-CHINESE NEW-YEAR-
THE WEATHER-MUSlC.

THE WEATHER-MUSlC.
IRON OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNEl
SAN FRANCIsCO Feb. IF a nation is happy
which has no annals then is n State doubly blessed
which has no law making and law-breaking body
in session. The California Legislature has been at
Sacramento for more than Onethird OF the time al
lotted to it il has INDUCED in much wild talk on
great variety of subjects; it has passed only one I'M
portant blll-the repeal of the sunday law. Inc
latter is arranged that good Democrats VINO sell
Gin on Sunday will not be interfered with in their
pIous work. but bad Democrats who run concert
gardens dlves" and cock-pts, will feel the heavy
hand of the law As nine-tenthS of the crime here
may be traced directly to the doors of the grog-
ceres this fine distinction IN Bourbon morality IL
characteristic II shows the foundation on which
the party edifice is built.
Besides this heavy work, the Legislature has sent
ont several investigating committees to smoll out
fraud in various quarters. The investigation OF
Bunker, the immigration Commissioner, who
quietly pocketed over 500 600 in fees, has led to
his arrest on civil and criminal charges; but none
of tho other inquiries bore any fruit. The state
Prison Committee has repor ed against convict
labor at San Qrentin. Under the present Warden
lutte mandatory was established, and the result
of teaching prisoners trades has been to make the
prison sef-supporting. The report recommends the
abolition of all skilled labor on the ground OF its
evil influence upon the workman not behind bars.
Its object is obvious hut if bill like this is passed
it will add materially to the state expenses.
There is no change in the weather, which still
continues to he very cold. Snow has fallen heavily
III the mountains. even t. the far south; what iH
called the scmi-tropical belt is cTlscd with ice,
and the oranges in many places have been frozen
on the trees the tramps, who usually select this
city for a winter rcndcsvouz have been compelled
70 migrate One good result will follow this severe
weather. the snow that has fallen IN the great val
leys and on tho foothills will supply the place of
ram and will insure coed crop. In the SleTras,
though the snowfall has been very heavy, the
Central Pacific Railroad has escaped blockadcs for
four DAYS. however, the Union Pacific trains were
showed in. and yesterday we got the first Eastern.
mail since last Friday.
1t has been found that tie funds in the city treas
ury will fail short of paying the salary demands by
fully half million this year. The officials in Of
fee do not seem concerned about the matter, and
no effort has been made 70 rotrcnch. All the Offices
are crowded with supcmunicrafics, who get sine
cures IN payment f.r political work The difficulty
will probably be met bv an issue Of bonds.
The Chinese Ncw-Year begins to-day. and the
Quarter was swept and garushod last night for the
festival season. A petition was presented by the
celestials that their theatre be allowed to remain
open all night for the three great nights Of the ho
dav but this was refused a. the ear piercing shrek
of the oneslringcd fiddle murders sleep for block,
around. The police. however granted them per
mission 10 set Oh trc-crackors during one hour 81
each dav. on the ground that this a religious
rite 70 drive oil evil spirits The Chinese Quarter
looked very pretty last night. with It's rows of
brirht cnoicd lanterns and IT. brilliantly illumn-
at-d ,hODs. All the mere ants keep open house
and the fahlcS the Of the stores are loaded
with the choicest dclicaries from across the ocean
They used to BE- very ho-pltIblc 10 white visitors
bar Their courtesy has been 20 frequently abused
bv gangs Of hoo luns thar they no longer welcome
strangers ia many waN- the holiday II worthy o.
American imitation, chief OF which Is tho rule that
every hincsc must p.v his debts before the New
Year or iosc caste among his assOClatc. Tho fe~ti-
val lasts for ten days among tho wealthy. and
for three days among the poor. II is mainly
voted Ia paving visits TO the discussion Of cabor-
ate dinners and 10 witnessing tho performance Of
long drawn-Out dramas.
Everything il dull In the way OF entertainments
hut there is a pr spcct OF musical trca next sum
mer THIS is nothing less than series Of great or
ch-sral concerts to be given under the direction of
Theodore Thomas at the Mechanics Pavilion. Bv
p0pnlar subscription II Is expected that amount
will be raised TO guard against any loss. The plan
il To have a full orchestra. chorus OF 800 voices.
and 10 give seven concerts. The scheme cannot
fail 10 be a success If properly carried out, as good
concerts are rare here, Wine the number who know
what good music is Is unusually large.