New-York tribune., 1885-09-20
TOPICS IN LEADING CITIES.
SAN FRANCISCO.
SANITARY-LEGAL-POL L-RAtLROADo
VINEYARD LABORERS.
Pill % IRInUNE


SAN FR,ycrsco. Sept 19-Tho Supervisors
having investigated Chinatown now turning
their attention to the foul and choked city sewers.
The sewerage system here Is one of the worst IN
the country and IL the trade winds did not blow
nine months in the year the sewer gas would create
"A pestilence. As 1t is the ratio OF deaths from
zymotc diseases is always large, whereas the
positon of the city and facilities for securing 0ood
drainage ought practically to eliminate sucD dis-
cascs The action of the Supervisors was caused by
the exposure by The Ckronice of the sewer SYSTEM
an entire page being devoted this week to detects
In the system and tho causes OF tho recent increase
in zymotic diseases. The secret OF TINS ioui con-
dition of the sewers as well as the wornout SIDE
walks, badly paved streets and rotten docks ana
vharyes. is the arbitrary limit of the tax-rate to
81 on S1OO This might do for an old-estab!ished
city. but San Francisco is growing so rapidly and
has spread over so much ground that it is idle to
cxpect TO keen streets and sewers in condition with
tho present appropriation. 1t might be done If
every dollar was put where II would do the most
good, bat politicians here must be supported.
Hence rings" in all public works, which seriously
reduce appropriations.
The sudden advance in the price of sugar-two
cents per pound-has causel reports that the new
refining company has soll ont to Sprcckles or at
lcast entered into combination with him. Although
the directors Of the new company assert positively
that no such deal has been made tho public is 10th
to believe them with the example OF tho new gas
company fresh in recollection.
Last week Governor Stoncman appointed Walter
H. Levy rs successor 10 Superior Judge Clough. who
was recently declared to be insane. This action
was taken on tho resignation of Clough, obtained.
il was said during lucid interval Now Clough
claims his resignation was obtained from him while
lie was insane and that lie supposed he was signing
his salary warrant. II this can bo proved the
Governors appointment is illegal, as the resignation
wonld not bs valid Good lawyers also hold that
without Cloughs resignation the Governor has no
right to remove him. this power being vested solely
in the State Legislature. Judge Clough has not
been distinguished for legal ability, but hIs sue
crssor is improvement ON him Ievy IL the
fayOrite of the "Chivalry" wing Of the Democracy
mainly because he studied law under Alexander II.
stephens Hemauaged through this influence To get
into tho Sharon case one OF Sarahs attorneys,
and Judge Sullivan's famous decision gives him
$4,000 for his services.
The perennial Sharon case has been before the
Federal Court all the week. Judge sawyer has
been regaled with twicc-tDld tales and the testi-
mOny OF experts IN handwtiting has been road NJ
wcarisomc length. Despite efforts of Sarah and her
counsel TO inject some lie into the proceedings, the
court room has been nearly deserted aud the chlet
actors have lacked the stimulus of an appreciatvc
audience. No one would hayo the hardho0d TO
predict when this case will end. but the present
hearing before Judge Sawyer Will consume several
weeks
The appointment OF Judge fIaGcr as Collector was
another bitter pill for Democrats . swallow. The
general impression il that Hager will turn over the
Office 10 his chief deputy. and upon the selection Of
this officer will dopeni how much the appointment
will loo worth 10 the politicians lInger made
good Judge but he has executive ability and IN
many ways bears strong resemblance 10 Secretary
Lamar. 90
From Napa County. whore the vintage has just
begun there reports of large numbers Of
white seeking work as grapc-pickcrs, while the
vineyards are full of Chinese The Chinese work
for half a dollar less per day than white men, and
with boss they do good work. They cannot, how
ever. do moro than haif as much work as energetic
white men: but tho chief trouble with white
laborers ii tnat 50 MANY will not work regularly.
but desert tho Nncyard-man inst when ho needs
them most The Chinese can be counted on Sd long
a. !heir pay Is sure
TSere Is railroad boom in both ends Of the
State. At the south = link connecting the Atlantic
aud Pacific with tae-N alter Is nearly finished. aud
il Is expected tO DO opened by November. Then
daily line Of steamers from san Diego to san ran.
cisco will be put on for competition for overland
traffic. At the Uorth. work las Just been resumed
on the California aud Oregon. which will give rail
connection with Portland. The completion OF this
road will be great benefit 90 the northern counties,
whose growth has been retarded by difficulty OF