Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-11

equity, should be given fearlessly and
with perfect confidence in the integrity of
the measures themselves and the justice of
the people in reviewing them. We
need to rise to higher conception of
what constitutes State economy and to de-
part utterly from the narrow and dema-
gogic policy that aims to send party be-
fore the people soliciting renewal of con-
fdeuce because it has expended less
amount of public funds than some prede-
cessor. The State is growing, it is not yet
out of its swaddling clothes; the formative
condition still prevails. New needs will
arise with each succeeding session, and for
some time to come there will develop
new questions of State policy, and new de-
mands for State investment. The true
duty of the Legislature is, not to refuse
these latter under the false idea that it
will thereby gain popular applause, but
first exercise its cool and wise judgment as
to whether a demand made will result
beneficially to the people and conserve
the general veal; next to measure the
output by the capacity of the people to
bear the burden without discomfort, and
if it is found to be in excess, to limit and
adjust it, or distribute. it over a period of
time that will relieve it of endorsements.
--o
IT is to be hoped that the Assembly
Committee on Hospitals Will not permit
the bill on cremation to be buried in the
grave of that subdivision of the Legisla-
ture. Such fate would be grim tray
esty upon the subject. The bill is simple,
vet ample, providing only that it shall be
lawful to cremate dead human bodies, and
that crematories may be erected under
proper regulations by municipal authori-
ties. Nothing more than this is needed
The bill has been over a week before
the Assembly, and should be taken
up and passed Those who believe
it to be as proper and fitting, and more so,
to dispose of their dead by incarceration,
rather than by the rotting process, should
certainly be permitted to carry out their
views. 1t is lawful to cremate in Pennsyl-
vania, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan,
Massachusetts, and other States Why
should it be inhibited here, as it is by our
compulsory burial laws? Cremation is
supported by some of the best minds of the
land, and is fortified by the very best
medical and sanitary experts, and by the
results of scientific investigation. 1t is
clearly respectful, conservative of the pub
lie health, economic and far more unofiefi-
sive than burial Let the committee
report back the bill and recommend its
passage. There are about $500 avowed
cremationists in California, and they GER
tainly have the right to expect grant of
the privilege of incinerating their dead,
since all they ask is by the bill so guarded
and placed under the surveillance and
restrictions of local authorities, that a
crematory cannot be erected in any
community without its full consent
The time is very near at hand when
cremation will not only be permitted, but
in case of death from certain diseases, as
cholera, yellow fever and smallpox, will
be compulsory. California should not COM
pei her people to consign their loved dead tc
the loathsomeness of the grave, if they pre-
fer to bring about that which must result
even in burial, by the more speedy pro
| cess in which the retort of the crematory
plays the chief part.