San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-19

The question of contract convict labor
is challenging the attention of all sec
tiOns of the state and all conditions of
citizens. The present system has few
who are poor enough to do it honor.
Remedies as various as the ideas of
those who suggest them are mooted,
and there is as yet no settling on any
definite course of action. That it will
be prominent subject of legislation
next session, there can be little doubt,
but what the nature of that legislation
will be would tax the energies Of any
Yankee guessing school in existence.
That the contract system, and their en-
ployment on public works, must cease
seems 10 be the general sentiment.
Beyond that, public opinion has not
crystaliZed.
THIS is cyclone year in politics as is in
physical nature. The democratic state
cyclone in Hamilton county, Ohio,
which hustled the legislature out of the
state, will cost that same democracy
$1,000 votes this fall.
The Houston democrats are not dwell
ling together in that peace and harmony
which should characterize the happy
family in Texas. Uncle Dan'l should
look after his boys and use his paddle.
The cyclonic conditions are materially
the same this season as in 1875, when
the south was paralyzed with the extent
and destructiveness of the Georgia
storms, which caused loss of several
hundred lives. Early warm waves fol-
lowed by cold ones and excessive rains
were the phenomena then observed.
That these conditions will not result as
disastrously now as then is certainly to
be hoped, but to whatever extent fore
warning is forearming precautions
should be taken. These destructive
storms are generally seen in their ap-
proaches a sufficient time to afford those
in dwellings ample time to escape to the
cellars or cyclone vaults, and some sys-
TEN Of general warning could be readily
derived in cities, in connection with cleo
trio apparatus, that would be as effective
as any human devisement could be. In
the regions Of violent storms in the north
many dwellings have cyclene vaults, not
unlike an ordinary bomb-proof, in which
to take refuge on the approach Of threat
ening storms. No one reading the ac-
counts of the late destructive wind
storms in Kansas, Ohio and Indiana but
realizes that sufficient warning was
given in the clouds and roaring winds to
have permitted retreat to places of abso-
Lutte safety had such places been pro-
vided. The planetary relations this year
indicate violent atmospheric disturbances,
and we may expect to hear of violent
storms in all cyclonic centers, of which,
happily, Texas is not one.
The street commissioners fight wakes
warm and there would be prudence, wis
dom, safety and proper recognition of
efficient services In electing the man
who for the past six years has had
charge of the street gang as foreman
and thoroughly understands his work.
AT PRESENT advices it is impossible to
say how far Miles has succeeded in get
ting corner on Geronimo. The real
knowledge CLEANED from the dispatches
is infinitissimal. Miles and Geronimo
had skirmish and Miles has five less
effective men than he had; this is the
sum total of our facts, all else is con-
lecture.
Among those who are spreading glow
ing accounts of the detection in Tarrant
county, over the late political action of
the non-politioals, it will be found that
the wish is step-dad to the thought.