Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-19
AT TIE BAY.
COMMENTS ON PASSING EVENTS
AT SAN FRANCISCO.
California Theater-In Ath-
letic Circles.

forth much comment, both ON the new
warship and the ability of the Pacific coast
to compete with the East in the construc-
tion of vessels of this description. Praise
| of the Charleston has been abundant.
| Captain Goodall, who took her to Santa
Barbara, declares that he never set foot on
a better ship and if he were to hang for
| it the next moment, nothing but an ex-
preston of entire satisfaction could be
drawn from Irving NJ. Scott of the Union
Iron Works. But back of all this superficial
rejoicing the contractors have felt twinge
of disappointment, and the Charleston will
not become Government property for some
time. The trip south demonstrated many
| things in the cruisers favor She is steady,
rides easily, obeys her wheel readily, is not
difficult to handle, and her appearance is
pleasing-more than that, even impos-
ing. But she is dyspeptic = looks
well from the outside and eroans
inwardly, because her machinery is not
equal to the task imposed upon it. There
is no fatal defect, only proof that her con-
tractors had a subject to deal with, which,
in some points, exceeded their knowledge,
and in two months time San Francisco's
! first contribution to the countrys naval
forces will probably be in condition to
steam away, and bid defiance to all ships
of her class. The result of the whole work
is what might have been expected. Much
to their credit, the Union Iron Works I'M
dertook an experiment of great magnitude,
and has carried it out with little direct
profit to themselves, and maybe some loss.
1t took time, and very much more time
than the Government intended it should,
or the contractors calculated upon, but the
ability of the Pacific coast to successfully
compete with the East has been very
clearly demonstrated, and, in congratulate
| ing Mr.. Scott ON the result of his first at
tempt in naval architecture, one may do so
very conscientiously, for the fact that he
has bid upon and received the contracts
| for two more steel warships-one cruiser
larger than the Charleston, and the other
a coast defense vessel of the monitor type
| is sufficient indication that he sees money
in his new departure, at the same time
adding materially to the reputation of the
coast
| On no occasion since the first visit of
Patti to San Francisco has there been such
a remarkable gathering of play -goers as
| filled the new California Theater at the
opening of the House Monday evening.
Booth and Barrett are capable in them
! selves Of drawing brilliant crowds of first
nighters but it is doubtful if they were not
of secondary consideration to most of the
people who attended Mr.. Hayman's house
warming Such are the associations cling
ing to the California Theater that it has
become one the city's monuments, and the
recent change seems little beyond the
metamorphosis of the old playhouse into
al beautiful temple. The opening was
most favorable. Over $500 had been
paid for the privilege of selecting one of
the boxes, and premiums on the others did
not fall much below this figure, giving in
dications that there was to be great dis
play of diamonds and silks-and there was
no room for disappointment. The audi
ence was one Of fashion robed in its most
costly fnery, and many seats were
occupied by gray heads who twenty
years ago had attended the opening
of the old California, bellies and beaux
of the day. The scenery was extremely
brilliant and set off to advantage the
elaborate appointments of the house. And
they are elaborate. There has been a Law
lsh expenditure of money to give San
| Francisco one of the most beautiful thea
| tiers in the country. Good taste has guided
! the outlay and the result is certainly
charming. But Notwithstanding the
beauty of the place there is very serious
defect in It's imperfect acoustics, which
render the rear seats almost yalueless.
More than this the draughts which
whistled about the old California seem to
| have been inherited by its successor, for
portions of the house have been most un-
comfortable during the past few nights.
and the plan will not be satisfactory until
| these matters have been remedied 1t is
| Mr.. Hayman's intention to continue the
| Baldwin as the most select theater in the
city, and to play good attractions at the
new house at lower prices probably a
dollar.
! Another theatrical event in which San
| Francisco has been unusually interested.
| was the debut of Miss Sibyl Sandersou.
| daughter of ex-Chief Justice Sanderson.
| IN Massenet's new opera, "EscIar-
monde," presented in Paris for the
! first time Wednesday evening. Miss
| Sanderson went through with remarkable
performance, and as Sacramento was her
| birth place her success will be as much
| appreciated there as here. The most
wonderful feature of her singing was an
outbreak of melody in which she ran to
high Ca note within the compass of but
| few voices in the world. Even the divine
| Patti seldom ventures above E, and Miss
| Sandersons ability to carry trill on the
note second above this is most extraor-
| dinary accomplishment. All of fashion
| able Paris from President Carnot down
turned out to hear the young American.
| and, at the conclusion of the performance.
| according to cable dispatches received in
this city, there were not words enough at
command to express their appreciation.
Miss Sanderson lived in Sacramento for
several years, and will be remembered by
many friends.
The days of walking matches in San
francisco are over-at least until another
generation springs to the front. The last
affair, which ended Wednesday night, was
a six-day panorama of dismal fakes.
Manager Halls conduct in New York met
with the severest criticism and it has not
escaped 1t here. Believing in the innocence
OF the people west of the Rockies, he has
inflicted a succession of hippodrome side
shows upon us which would have tested
the patience of the most verdant hamlet.
But Mr.. Hall received his punishment at
the hands of that odd character, "Old
Sport Campana, who pounced upon him
and administered very vigorous drubbing.
Most of the walkers who had money
enough left the city, and the others are
booked for protracted stay of indefinite
length.
The decision in the Chae Chang Ping
case, upholding the validity of the Chinese
Exclusion Act, was received here with
much satisfacti IN. Consul Bee seems to
be the only white man who has suffered
any uneasiness of mind, and he has uncon-
sciously afforded quite fund of amuse-
ment. No one dares to hope for such good
luck as the Chinese representative holds
out to us in his prediction that six
years from now the total extinction
Of Mongolians from California will
be accomplished, and his declaration that
the Chinese Government is too dignifed
to seek retaliation also bears a strain of
humor. Perhaps Consul Bee forgets that
Australia and many weak, isolated powers
of the Pacific have refused to harbor any
more coolies, and that if they can afford |