Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-26
RoSSITER JOHNSON.
INTERVIEW WITH THE DISTTN.
GUISHFD AUTHOR.
His Views Upon Various Matters of
Public Interest at
Present.

author and historian, Rossiter johnson,
accompanied by his wife, an authoress OF
national reputation and especially well
known as a writer for children. Though
himself an old journalist, having edited
the Rochester Democrat, a Republican jour-
nal, and the Concord Statesman, Mr.. John
san was reticent in an interview about ex-
pressing his opinion on public topics, and
stating the results of his observations i in
the country. He did not, however, throw
off, wholly upon his old profession, and
very modestly expressed himself ON a num-
Der of questions presented.
He had been much impressed with his
examination of the country between the
Mississippi and the Sierras, over which he
has travelled very leisurely and wholly bv
daylight, but with nothing more than
the remarkable contrast between the east
n west side of the Sierras. Sacramento
was the first California city he had visited,
and he declined, therefore, to express an
opinion as to what he thought of the
State" a question usually fired point
blank at Eastern visitors within six hours
after they land in it. He did say, however,
that he was pleased with Sacramento be-
cause of the evidences of comfort, prosper
ity and contentment he saw about its
homes, and the evidences also of refine
ment and good taste manifest in the main
tenance of the Art Gallery, the School of
Design, the Libraries and the beautiful
grounds throughout the city. He was
asked concerning the Eastern sentiment
upon the Chinese exclusion policy, and re-
piled:
$50 far as l nave been able to measure ii,
it is not only strongly with you of Califor-
mia, but l believe it will presently 20 be-
yond you, for the sentiment is rapidly
augmenting among our people in the East,
especially among the more thoughtful, ir-
respective of political faith, that the immi.
grafton of foreigners Of the non-assimila-
tive class, those also who are ayowedly at
enmity with Jul system, and the immigra-
ton of other Objectionable classes, should
be restricted, even to the extreme CT prohi-
bition in some cases. The objection among
our people is not to foreigners as such, but
to these who are imbued with neither re-
spect nor care for our institutions. The
fact is, our people are quite ready to de-
mand a radical modification of the immi-
grafton laws, and for the matter of that, of
the naturalization avs also"
"How will New York City receive such
doctrine ?'
THE Democratic politicians, not con-
tentedly. But New York City is not a test
of the strength of the sentiment of which /
speak. Many Democrats who have thought
upon the subject deeply, differ with the
party leaders and believe it will be wise TO
limit or stop indiscriminate immigration"
What would you do about tourists ?''
They would be provided for. A pass
port system might be set up, for instance,
but, of course a distinction would have to
be made. Many think that any limitation
would be opposed to the purpose of the
Republic, which, they say, was intended
as a refuge for all. But sentiment of that
order is rapidly giving way to the other,
and thought and reflection are bringing
about many changes ofopinion.n
do you think there is now any real OPP
position to our Chinese exclusion policy ?''
None at all, l think-that is none that
is potential"
"You have heard of the death of Allen
Thorndyke Rice?"
II heard of it just before reaching here,
and with profound regret. He was in
MANY respects a remarkable man. Think
he would have creditably repr esented our
country abroad. He was a polished gen.
tleman, a scholarly man and full of nerv-
Gus vigor."
What did you think of him as a literary
man?'
HE had a great many friends and ad-
mirers. He was a man of ability. He was
a singular man in his literary works. sort
OF literary whirlwind in his method, an ir-
regular man in his intellectual habits. He
took the North american Review, and, by
his management, made it widely known in
a way before foreign to it. The Post once
criticised Mr.. Rice's style of conducting it
by saving that he had made it a monthly
newspaper. He bought it in 1876. and
gradually changed it from a collection of
reviews based on books issued, to a journal
of discussion of public topics. irrespective
of books. l read proof on the Reriew when
it was printed from type and distributed,
but with the highly-skilled assistance of
Mr.. Metcalf. now editor of the F0rumt, Mr..
Rice saved the periodical, and gave it its
present prominence. 1t was by the aid of
Mr.. Metcalf, IN accomplished editor, that
he made such a success with it."
SIS attention being more directed toward
California now ?"
Intelligent attention ? yes. Yes, your
California on Wheels is doing good work at
the East, and is much spoken of. The first
effort of that nature that | recall was made
by North Carolina, which sent an exhibition
of products, but it was not a great success,
and did not compare with what your peo-
pie are doing. All object lessons of that
kind will have q strong influence with our
people"
How is the administration of General
Harrison iwpressing the people at the
Esst?"
at is giving satisfaction to all his party,
and generally to the people, / think.
The mugw1mps don't like it, and take oc-
casion to find fault; but that was to be ex-
pected."
What are the chief local topics of
thought in New York related to State Gov
eminent, just now?
Ballot reform and high license much
engage the attention of our people. AS to
the first it will certainly be brought about.
The best elements of our people, regardless
of political affiliations, regard high license
as the solution of the regulative question
in the sale of liquors"
But our Governor vetoed the re form
ballot BILL
"Yes. Governor Hill appears to me to
be trying 10 initiate one of his illustrious
predecessors, Horatio Seymour. But, like
all imitators. he succeeds best in copying
defects. Governor Seymour had a genius
for discovering high constitutional reasons
for doing things, the practical effect of
which would be vicious. Governor Sey-
mour, for instance, earnestly besought Mr..
IluCOiu, as you Will iCASthu0is W siOD
the draft until the question could be
dragged through the Courts. l think Gov
ernor Hills real objection to the ballot bill
is, that it would operate as a clog upon his
party, and make illegal voting impossible,
or nearly so. Unless / am mistaken, his
party in like manner opposed the registry
laws, now so common, and admittedly
JUST
lis the question of the demoralizing lit
erature of the day considered much among
your people now?p
Yes, many give it serious consideration,
and efforts are constantly made for its sup
preston, but as yet with slight results.
The food of this class OF writing with
which the country is afflicted is the cause
of infinite sorrow and generalization"
What remedy would you suggest"
1.-THE best thing to do would be to re-
peal so much of the postal laws as enable
publishers of this stuff to use the mails.
They can now, by a very little showing of
regularity in publishing, make the matter
referred to second-class, and send it by the
ton through the mails for one cent a pound.
All they need 10 do is to afix a date, claim
that their series is a periodical, and thus
avail of the objectionable weakness of the
postal system, and, at the expense OF all
the people. have their ~freighting done
practically free. The failure to control
:.