The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-24
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EDITORIAL. NOTES.

Inc ffiends ana opponents OF the shipping Bill
will find material for reflection In The announce
ment OF the completion Of the Canadian Pac.ic's
sieams hips Empress OF India, Empress Of Japan
and Empress of China at Barrow-in- Furness.
When the British Government called for tenders
for mail service by frst-class steamships be-
tween Vancouver and Japan and China con-
tract was made with the Canadian Pacific which
stipulated that the speed of the vessels should
be seventeen aud a half Knots ON tile measured
mile and sixteen knots at sea- and that they
should be specially constructed to carry troops
ana guns. The Naval Construction and Anna
ment Company OF Barrow n- Furness, on under
taking the contract To build the steamers, guar
anieed HAT they would make eighteen knots on
tile measured mile and sixteen and half knots
on a 400 mile sea trial. The tonnage Of The
new steamers Is 500 gross. They have engines
OF 10000 horse power and are propelled by twin
screws The vessels are lighted throughout by
electricity and thoroughly ventilated by a series
Of electric fans. They can carry. In addition to
their large complement OF passengers, about
1000 tons OF tea, and are specially fitted with
side ports and side hatches for the speedy re-
cepton and delivery of cargo. The armament
OF the vessel, TO be supplied by The Admiralty,
Will consist of four 7-inch guns, which Will be
taken TO Vancouver and Hong Kong and stored,
in readiness for an emergency. AT tile launching
OF the ltst vessel, the Empress OF India. Lord
Harrington declared that she had been con-
slructed strictly in accordance with the Admir-
ATTY requirements, so tDdt sue may be capable,
In time OF war, of being converted into cruiser
or a troop ship. The new steamships therefore
would not only extensively assist in the develop
ment OF the commerce aud trade OF the county
III times of peace, but would BE- capable also of
protesting heir sister ships in case of necessity
In time OF war.
The Presidents nomination Of Judge Brown
OF Michigan TO succeed tie late Justice Samuel
| F. Miller OF the United States Supreme Court
was a surprise TO many ana no doubt relief TO
the Chief Executive, who recently declared 10
Ex-Governor Foster OF Ohio that the selection of
successor 10 the dead jurist had caused him
more anxiety than any other appointment he
had been called upon to make since his inaugu-
ration. The public did not know of the great
number of Candidates being pushed for the
place. Many names which had never been men
! TONED in the public prints bad been forced upon
! his attention and infuentially bacsed. This had
been the cause Of all the delay In announcing his
appointment
| The cloture rule submitted by Aldrich to the
| Senate resembles in some particulars one which
was introduced in the Senate in 1862 by Senator
| Hale. providing that 1.-The rules OF the Senate
should De amended so that the Senate may at
| any time during the present rebellion by a vote
| OF the majority OF the members present. fix a
time when debate upon any measure Ia the Sen
ate shall Cease and terminate" But In carrying
| out the programme, based on the assumption
! 1t Is minated, VIII be cited authority for tue
| adoption of such rule which would cut of de-
| bates intended TO talk such measures as the
| Election Bill 10 death
A complimentary tribute TO American mechan-
| ieal Skill was the recent order Of the Govern.
| ment of New South Wales for tweuIy-seyen
| American locomotives which Will be finished in
| February and shipped from Philadelphia. Ten
| OF these are passenger locomotives. especially
| designed for runs on heavy grades and over
| sharply curved iracEs. work for which English
| engines are hot so well adapted The freight
| locomotives are Of tue heaviest and strongest
build, and, with tender attached, will each weigh
| eighty or eighty tive tons. The sale aggregates
| over quarter OF million dollars.
That the immigration question Is eugrossIng
considerable attention Is manifest from the fact
| that dozen or more bills have been submitted
| to Congress dealing with that subject Instead
| OF consular certificates 1t has been suggested
| that safer way for the U nited States would be
| TO require the steamship companies, under a
suitable system OF bonds to see to IL that no I'M
| proper characters receive tickets, as well as 10
| hold them responsible for such as may be landed
| in this country. This method would not, how.
ever. check the evasion Of the law, as frequently
| noted, by the Canadian route.