The morning call., 1890-09-19
EDIToEIAL NOTES.

The uprising in Switzerland is due TO the fact
that the people OF Ticno repelled against The
persistent refusal of the politicians in power to
respect the law requiring the submission OF
state questions to popular vote. Ticino, the only
Italian canton IN Switzerland, has clements OF
population that hate each other with fiery and
undying age. Counting out has been INDUCED
IN for years and scenes OF violence have marked
The annual elections. Last year troops had to be
sent down from Berne with Federal Commits
sioner. The canton, which has an area OF 1858
square miles. in 1880 had a population OF $780,
III, of which 129. 400 spoke Italian. The chief
towns are LugaDO, Airolo, Mendrisio, Locarno
and Bellinzona. Since 1881 the capital has been
located at the latter place. The canton stands in
a comparatively low position as regards moral,
educational, agricultural and commercial mat.
tiers. 1t is made UP chiefly Of all the permanent
cOnquests made by different members OF the
Swiss League south OF the main chain Of the
Alps. The Optional referendum" permitting
the submission of any law TO the popular vote, IL
asked for by certain number of Citizens was
adopted in 1883. Since 1876 the Intervention OF
Federal troops has been quite common, owing to
the conflicts of the local authorities among them.
selves or against the Federal Assembly. A new
election under Federal auspices, with an honest
count would be likely to restore peace and result
In the return Of tie Liberals 10 power.
writer In the american OF Philadelphia
presents interesting summary OF those Con-
gressiOnal districts which are the debatabe
ground of the November elections. He finds
that IN the last election there were twenty four
districts In twelve States which the Democrats
won by majorites OF less than 1000. and twenty.
four districts In eleven States which the Repub-
llcans carried by like margins. There were
TWO districts in Illinois and one In West
Virginia which the Democrats carried by sixteen
votes and one in Indiana where they had mar
gin OF but twenty votes. In addition to these
forty eight districts there are about half as many
more which, though carried by majoritles OF
more than 1000, are still sufficiently close TO
furnish field for an interesting contest. 1t is In
the close districts that the battle for supremacy
VIII be fought.
Congress at present consists of $50 members
a great number OF whom are not inclined to de-
vote the whole OF their time and energies to the
interests Of the nation and their constituents.
The British House OF Commons consists OF go
members, the German Reichsiag has 397, the
French Chamber OF Deputies 573 and the French
Senate 300. The new AppOrti0nment bill OF
Representative Dunuell proposes to Increase the
membership OF the House TO 354. With such an
Increase, efforts should be made TO keep out such
men as the Texan who yesterday wanted drink
badly and kicked open the door OF the Hall OF
Representatives with his No. ~ cowhlde boot.
d
dollars will this year be spent on the harbor de-
lenses. The complete plant, which Will ulii.
maieiy cost something like SIC, 600 900, Will COM
prise torredoes. rapid firing guns, submarine
mines, heavy armor-proiecied batteries OF twelve
inch breech-loading rifles and other defenses.
AT Sandy Hook alone S35O,000 will be spent
this year, the plant there comprising one
twelve-inch high power bTeeeh-loadlng rifle gun
and battery OF twelve-nch mortars. At Coney
Island viii be Ilanted eight twelve-inch mortars
Among the novel propositions submitted to the
Constitutional Convention OF Mississippi was
the plural voting plan OF Judge Campbell of the
State Supreme Court, giving the possessOr Of
land In county or town valued at $3.50 an addi-
tionaI ballot, and If such land is assessed at more
than $500, TWO additional ballots. Evidently
this suggestion Is due to the fact that there are
10000 black voters in Mississippi aud but 1OS,.
600 while ones
In Russian political circles there is a growing
belief that Emperor William, In his conference
with Emperor Francis Joseph. VIII endeavor to
prevail upon him to harmonize his policy In
the Balkan Peninsula with that OF Russia The
DEVELOPMENTS OF the week are likely to be of mo.
mentOus consequence.