Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-19

with their incomes of former wears. OF
course such men as Hall McAllister, Sam
Wilson, w. H. L. Barnes, and perhaps a
score more who are constantly in the serv
ice of large corporations, do not feel the
full force of the depressed condition
of their calling; but there are sey-
eral hundred lawyers, who, in years
thanked one to insure them an income of
$4,000 per annun, now perfectly satisfied
with s., 500 a year-at least they are OBJ
liged to be. The greatest wonder, however,
is how the tail end of the professions man.
age to live at all. In the business centers
of the city lawyers signs are as numerous
as flies in the summer months, and abso-
lutely believe that there is not one block in
the town where one or more physicians do
not reside. Since my return here, | have
noticed particularly how many doctors
who thirteen years ago kept fine horses
and carriages, now foot it, or patroniZe
that plebian vehicle, the street-car. Yet,
despite the oyer-plus OF supply in the med
ical as well as in the legal profession, there
is no reduction in the high-pressure fees.
Especially is that the case with legal and
medical men who came here in high
pressure days. There is nothing singular
about that, though as the old Californian
who in the flush DAYS manipulated "slugs"
as indiflerently as he now does a dime,
finds it difficult to conform his habits and
style of living to these latter DAYS of vely
small change and very hard times. How
ever the majority of "old timers" must do
so by sheer force of necessity, but it is al
most living death TO them.
Use OF COCAINE. OPIUM, ETC.
In conversation with q prominent Dhvsi-
clan recently was astounded to learn Of
the extensive use in this city of the new
an9sthetic, cocaine which is said to be
more enslaving and corrupting in its effect
than either opium or morphine. Yet con-
firmed morphine and opium consumers are
substituting the more recently discovered
poison for the former TO an alarming ex-
tent. In addition TO this the physician OBJ
served that few persons indeed, excepting
nedicos enjoying an extensive practice.
have the remotest conception of the mag
nitude of the opium habit among a good
class of people here. They do not visit
Chinese dens, but are taught to prepare the
deadly drug by experts, and use 1t within
their own homes when most convenient
Thus it may be- seen that this dreadful
habit is not altogether confined to the out
cast element of San Francisco. Ladies and
gentlemen occupying high social and bust
ness positions are slaves to the vice. My
informant laughingly remarked that were
he to publish the names Of some of the
men and women addicted to the use Of Opt
UNI, whom he is supposed to be treat
ing for other ailments, the city would
feel shocked, yet it is disgraceful living
fact. Having resided some years il To-
callty where opium hends are as numerous
as wild cat mines, learned 10 detect the
habitue by his listless air. want OF ambi-
ton and an abnormal pallor; and in latter
respect. Well, within the past few months
| have personally seen several women
allght from private cqnipages bearing the
most unmistakable traces of being dev0tecs
of the joint" Why, even the thick coat
ing of enamel and rouge scarcely hid the
CHASTITY pallor of their countenances. ! do
not imagine that these people indulge so
much in smoking opium as they do in eat
ing it; vet the fashionable houses are not
very few in number where the pipe is
smoked almost daily-at least, so | am in
formed by authority / would not think of
questioning.
HARLor5 AND MAlDENS IN MOURNING WEEDS
The number of young and pretty wo-
men, clad in the most mournful widows
weeds, to be encountered on Kearny and
Montgomery streets. is almost inCalcula-
bic. The unS0phistiCated one naturally
comes 10 tHe conclusion that tins climate
is anything but healthiul for young mar
ried men. So did 1. But, upon inquiry,
ascer.ained from man about town that
widows weeds here do not always indicate
the loss of a husband. Early last spring
this nonscnscal fashion was inaugurated
by the demi-monde of this city, and not
long alter that respectable ladies, who be-
lieved that deep somber attire
would admirably match their complex
ions and make them look interesting,
followed the mode of their erring sisters in
this respect; and while the disreputable
woman has discarded her weeds, the re-
spectacle female idiot continues TO " freeze
Oh to it, The statement is incontro-
vertible that the loudest" clad women
here are those considered eminently
respectable. and most of whom appear
most ridiculous in their CARDS, as they only
in rare instances display any knowledge of
the eternal fitness of things. This is verify
queer town containing queer people