The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-18

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The House lost little time In passing the Ap-
portlonment Bill, increasing the membership of
Congress 10 $50, the ratio OF representation be-
ing 173, sol. In making up THIS distribution
seventeen members were given 10 States which
had resulting remainder of more than one.half
the ratio, eight going 10 Democratic and nine 10
Republican States. Some OF The Democrats
found fault with this ratio because there are
nine Democratic States which have a large
resulting remainder, but not large enough
10 get II Representative for II. In three OF ikese
States, 1t is claimed, the remainder is over 5O-
GOO, i'll one neatly 10000, III three others over
10000, and in Two about So 900. They how.
ever lose sight OF the fact that in tie last House
the average vote in twenty-five Southern dis
trcts was only 3746. and The average opposition
10 the Democratic Ticket 20. BuldoZing tactics
and suppression OF votes result in greater In
justice iban very unfair aYportionment; but
Representative Frank claims this is about as fair
can be made, for membership of 500 does
not cause the loss of single Congressman TO
any State. Place The number at 357 just one
more, and several States would lose member;
for instance Virginia. Kentucky and South Car
DINA In the South end New York and Indiana in
the North. On The oiLer hand, by putting the
plumber at less than 356 some States would get
an advantage in an unduly increased represen-
Iation.
The Interstate Commerce Commits sion's report,
law has been persistently and repeatedly vio-
lated. either secretly or openly. in a great num-
Der OF eases, and points out the difficulty OF en-
forcing its provisions where such vast conflicting
interests are Inv oved, the law being very often
nullhed by eunningy framed devices, prepared
by astute legal minds particularly for the pur.
pose. Judge Gresham few days later gave
couple of decisions backing up the law. but the
good effects OF his rulings are likely 10 be lostfor
tile Time being by appeals TO The United States
supreme Court. where IL may be three years or
more before decisions can be rendered. In the
first case he held that Charles Counselman. .
Chicago commission merchant, must answer
certain questions, as The Constitution fully pro-
tected the witness from being prosecuted on evil
Deuce given In such proceeding, and in the
second case lie held that Treasurer Peasley of
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy must pro-
duce books and papers regarding the payment
OF certain commissions, and answer questions
concerning the same, as the evidence had no
tendency TO incTimnaIe him.
Among the Governments strange sources of
profit is that resulting from the destruction of
paper money. Only the other day two trains
met In Kentucky tunnel aud for thirty hours
the wreck burned. In the express-car was an
iron safe containing $1,000 In cash and lot Of
jewelry. 1t was all paper money and was almost
reduced TO ashes. for 500 was all the Re-
demptiOn Division Of The Treasury was able 10
get Oul VI u III d cONQltiOu 10 feGeem. IN tie
early issues OF fractional currency II Is estimated
the Government cleared s15,0o0,OOo and the
destruction OF notes of larger denominations is
estimated at something less Than per cent A
good deal Of The money has been placed where 1t
Will never be recovered. Only short time ago,
on The body Of a murdered man discovered near
an Ohio town, was found a pocket-bouk filled
with sreenbacks that had to be sent to tile
Treasury for redemption and is is estimated
that many a snug sum lies molding In the grave.
The recent loan of Sic, Zoo, 600 10 gold by
the Bank OF France to the Bank OF England
was not The first time that coin was shipped
across The Channel 10 tide over commercial
emergency. In 1889, when England had large
obligations to meet On the Continent for pur-
chases OF wheat, owing TO a short harvest, the
Bank OF England secured a credit OF 10000
600 from the French BANKERS; but when the
Bank OF France In 1886 desired coin to staye of
fioanciai Isis, tie Russian Government comes
TO The banks rescue. In spite Of The collapse of
De Lessep's canal scheme and the copper corner,
the French IND themselves in very prosperous
condition, and able readily to respond TO Eng.
lands appeal for relief.
The recent tragic death OF Hon. Isaac NJ. Jur-
dan, who fell down an elevator shaft al Clncin-
nati Is likely 10 result In legislation to promote
the more careful operation Of elevators. A bill
Is now being prepared with this object in view.
1t provides that elevator operators shall be II
eensed after passing satisfactory examination
as to habits and moral aud mental quaiifica-
lions, that all elevators shall be OK the most APP
proved pattern and be inspected weekly by an
elevator inspe cor, the authorities having power
10 condemn all those that are pronounced un-
safe.
II Is estimated that II win cost 81. ABA, 200 to
establish plant at Benicia for the manufacture
OF heavy ordnance To induce private films to
Incur tile loavv exUelse al DrOyidipU pI4utQ for