New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
SAN FRANCISCO.
GAS AND WATER WAR-DR GLENNS DEATH
OSTRICHES-KALAKA

-OSTRICHES-kALAKA
,o, 49, occ.srox,1 CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRIBUNE. !
SAN FRANClsCo Feb. 21.-The water war, Shlch
breaks out here periodically, is now raging Win
great ierceuess The Supervisors have the power
10 fix water rates and one OF their number last
week introduced q resolution to cut DOWN 'he
present rates 37l2 per cent. The spring f""eS
Water Company resented this menace to their rove
nue. by ordering the water cut OIL for several noun
on Sunday and during the entire night. 0oIlouS
discomfort resulted and much danger III case OF nre'
So greet was the popular clamor that on MONDAY
the order was revoked. The resolution before tne
Supervisors was withdrawn and asubsutule oheleu
making the reduction 80 per cent. The wafer
company is powerful aud arrogant anu tue
Supervisor, are stubborn. so that the out
come of the contest is predetermined. Inc
trouble in the watsS- question lies right here !:
he stock has been heavily waterod. and the COM
many to nav dividends on this wstered stock are
forced to charge high rates The water 10 brought
from lakes near the city, partly artificial, and al
thourb there is not hing to prevent rival company
entering the feld the cost of bringing water nom
the Sierras-the nearest available supply-ls so
great as 10 discourage capitalists from entering on
the work.
An economical mood has evidently come over the
gas bills, and now the company has reduced the
number of lamps about one half. Hence ON dark
nights fine field Is open to the sand-bagger and
the garroter. San Francisco has small
debt, while every year sees large
increase in its revenue; hence this l-adysed econ
omy seems to be without cause. Where a reduc-
ton could be made-in tho municipal ofhces-the
hand of retrenchment never finds its way. The
army of ward strikers who feeding on the treas
ury rest in perfect assurance that their sinecures
will not he disturbed.
The shooting of Dr. Hugh J. Glenn at Jacinto
Last week by worthless drunkard, whom he had
befriended for years. removes the largest wheat
farmer Oh this coast fnot in the world. DIR. Glenn
was a pioneer who made money in the early days
nv trading IN horses and mules Finally he settled
down in Cousa County on the borders OF the Sacra-
mento River. and began wheat growing. lie
gradually added to his ranch by purchase
until he had $4,000 acres extending seven
teen miles rs the crow flies along the nver.
and with an average width OF i've miles. lhree-
quarters of it sown 10 wheat, aud the average
crop was a million bushels. The Doctor presided
like a patriarch oxer his pcssessions Jacinto. a
little village in the centre of bis ranch was peo-
pied wholly by his employees; he was simple IN MS
manners and dress, fond of country lie, an expert
farmer of great executive abilty, ana man "HOso
word was as good as his bond. Only once was be
seduced from his quiet life, and that was to run as
Governor on the New Constitution ticket-a party
popularly known IN Kearney slang "a the " Honor
able Bilks" He was badly beaten. and since then
has confined himself strictly to bis ranch He had
had a long struggle with debt and had just lifted
the last mortgage from his ranch when death came.
Wis estate will amount TO between two and three
millions
The twenty-five os;rches, brought out here sew
eral months ago TO serve in the experiment oil farm
inc for feathers still remain at Woodwards Gar
dens. a popular resort IN the suburbs. They are
huge. ungainly. dirty birds. penned up in n SINAI
| inclosure The other day their lunch consisted oi
| the favorite dish Of Colonel Selicrs-a pan of raw
| turnps One of the birds picked up good-sizet
| turnp rolled it about in its strong beak aud theI
culped il down. One could the turnip gradually
move down the long neck until it disappeared IN Tho
| body. The legend of the diet Of ten-penny nai'
was no longer fiction after this sight. IL IS saiC
that the difficulty Of getting suitable land is Tho
| cause Of the delay in the experiment.
! Details Of the coronation of King kalakaua on
| February IL have just been received 1t was al
ambitious ceremony, but many incidents were gro
| tesque and suggested the martial scenes III " Ii
! Belle H6ene" The King was dressed in Wht'
tunic and -ky-blue trousers, and looked comfortable
but his Ministers. in heavy robes. wetered ii per
! spiratinn The climax Of absurdity was reached
when the King, in imitation OF the first Napoleon
| placed the crown Of the plguy monarchy upon In
! own head. LeprOsY Is making such serious iuroad
in the islands that 1t IS doubtful whether his king
dom will outlast the Kanaka sovereign.