The morning call., 1890-05-07
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Emperor Williams speech at the opening
of the Relcnstag will be closely scanned at
home and abroad. Concerning the labor
question, be calls attention to the necessity
of legislation for the protection of the work
ingman and to better his surroundings, but
IN order to effect these reforms he intimates
that only such measures will come up for
consideration as can be carried out without
endangering the industries of the Father
land. Regarding the European situation he
declares that his efforts will be unceaSlng
to preserve peace. A displacement Of the
balance Of power would endanger the p0lit-
zeal equilibrium, and in order TO prevent
displacement to Germany's disadvantage he
maintains it is necessary to increase the
army and to strengthen the different
branches Of the service, especially the field
artillery. One can note between the lines
the effect of the Socialistic movement in
Germany, and the recent advance in mill
tary affairs abroad, particularly in France.
The Land Forfeiture Bill as passed by
the Senate, forfelts all lands granted to any
State or corporation to aid in the construc-
ton of a railroad opposite to and cotermi-
nous with the portion of any such railroad
not now completed and in operation. 1t is,
construed as FORGETTING the right-of-way or
depot grounds of any railroad company
heretofore granted or as FORGETTING any
lands heretofore earned by the construc-
ton OF any portion of a railroad under any
act making a grant of public lands. or as
limiting the rights granted to purchasers or
settlers by the act of March g. 1884,
An advocate of originality in the worlds
fair buildings at Chicago suggests the con-
struction of a crystal palace at the bottom
of Lake Michigan, where the water is
deepest, the ediice to be mainly formed of
different coiored glass on an entirely new
idea of architecture to resist the heavy
pressure of the water. To reach the palace,
he suggests the construction of an electric
railroad above the lake to a tower leading to
the elegant concert hall decorated with
fragrant plants and flowers and fifteen
other large apartments OF this novel edifice.
The McCOmas anti-gerrymandering bill
is designed TO make the election districts
compact in form and as near as possible
uniform in population. Until after the re-
appOrtionment based on the next census
the State Legislatures are to be stopped
from changing the boundaries of election
districts. 1t is claimed by the author of
the measure that the Constitution grants
Congress the power to prescribe the time,
place and manner of elections for Repre-
sentatiyes.
The necessity of encouraging American
shipping is apparent when consideration is
given to the fact that in 1889 upward of
S1j0,000,000 was paid to the ship-ownere of
other nations for the transportation of
American commodities.
With view to facilitate the free delivery
system the Postmaster General has ap-
pointed a commission to select letter box
for the use Of private houses. 1t is thought
that if some cheap and convenient box is
devised and recommended by the depart
ment it may be put in general use by house
holders. Anything that tends to facilitate
the service is an advantage to the public