The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-20
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Hays new Prime Munster, the Marquis oil
Rudni Siarraba, is member OF an old and
noble Sicilian family of wealth and distinction.
Born ar Palermo in 1885, he early il life gave
promise of distinguished career Before lie was
so lie was elected Mayor OF Palermo by tue Relc-
tionary party, who believed that because lie was
ambitious and courled popularity they could use
him TO further their own ends But in 1866,
when the peasants, melted TO revolution by The
ReactiOnists, entered Palermo, where they pill
LACED and pundered for nearly a week, D
Rudtni retained posse ssiOn OF the key of The
situation, the Municipal Palace, and the final
defeat of Tie reyolui0niSts was principally due
10 his courage. for he W as always IN The thickest
OF the fight aud narrowly escaped death. Soon
after This he took an active interest in national
politics, attacking the Gespotism of the BOur-
bons and supporting liberal ideas. Ills first seat
in Parliament was in the enh National Legs
ture, aud lie has continuously held IL up to The
present, acting as prominent member of the
Right. III 1869 he became a member OF Mena-
Dreas MINISTRY, ms portfolio being that OF Home
Affairs. In 1883, when the war budget was dis
cussed with much animation, the Marquis
favored liberal appropriations for increased
armaments and a larger army. He, however.
opposed the new electoral system, known as the
scrutin de liste. On several occasions he rem
dered valuable services TO Premier Crispi, par
ticularly ID 1886, when lie practically inspired a
vote OF confidence In the Ministry when a feeling
OF hostility was aroused by he massacre of the
Italian troops at D0gali. He is man of COM
handing appearance. tall, muScularly built and
handsome. with a flowing blonde beard. His
voice is low and musical, and he is an entertain.
ing and brilliant e0nversatiOnaliSt, but an
orator IN the Chamber lie has not been quite so
successful. II oweyer, in all important matters
OF state his opinions have always been eagerly
sought after,
Professor Virgins, who years ago predicted
disastrous earthquakes on this Coast that did
not occur, Is now trying 10 account for the re-
cent great Eastern stotm that Frustrated the
Telegraph and telephone wires. "A cloud" said
Ie, - is formed of aqueous particles kept apart
by being electrified Remove the electricity and
they Will in the Iwlnkng OF an eye form ball
OF wafer which will fall like a stone and produce
a cyclone True, the electric wires do not sud
denly exhaust The cloud. Had they done so in
New York the city would have been partially
ana possibly wholly demolished. When the
aqueous particles are congealed they occupy a
larger space, but the effect is suOw-storm borne
along upon hurricane. Cities and towns on the
sea coast which are covered by wires, and those
near mountains where electric clouds form, are
exceedingly liable TO these dangerous atmos-
pheric disturbances" Abiding to the wire
fences OF Manitoba aud the hail and cyclone that
that during The past summer destroyed for the
first time a large area OF tire grain crop in those
regions, he concluded with the declaration:
Cover our Northwest with wire and the savage
war-dance will be succeeded By encounters in
the elements whose terrible battle-aXeS VIII sac
rIhee more blood and treasure than the toma-
hawk of the Indian for hundred generations"
The Senate has passed the House bill increas-
Ing TO 500 month the pension OF the widow of
General Custer. When Tie gallant soldier was
Killed In 1876 she was placed on the pension
roll al lie rate fixed by law, $50 a month. A
few year later Congress Increased it to $50 q
month, but il has been devoted 10 such noble
purpose that directors 10 this last increase were
slienced. When Custer aud lis brave men were
killed al the battle of The Little Big Horn, their
horrible fate brought sadness to many a house
hold. Nine OF The orphans who lost soldier sireS
We're made the special charge OF the Generals
widow. who devoted her pension and the pIO
ceedS derived from the sale OF her little home In
Michigan 10 their care. Some time ago lie off,
GERS OF the Seventh Cavalry, TO which Custer be-
lonGed, assumed the support OF two OF her charges
ana another WAS adopted, leaving six still on be
little roll.
Congress last session appropriated $4,000 TO
enable the Postmaster. General to establish an
experimental free delivery postal service In
small towns and villages, and so far lie has in
auEuTaied that service In a dozen places The
maximum compensation allowed TO any office is
S2l2. aud the worK is usually performed by an
einplOye OF the service, though In some cases
carriers employed for a short time daily
Verbal reports indicate tina: the service Is very
noFuar in the places where tried. If the ex-
pertinent works well IL is the intention of tue
POstmaster-GeDeral to recommend an extension
OF the system until it is established In all towns
OF three OF four hundred people and upward.
The visit OF Empress Frederick TO Paris, 1t Is
declared, Is due TO her sons wish to encourage
a better feeling between the Two countries. Ever
since the FraneO-Prussian war the trench ar
lists have abstained from taking part IN the fine
art exhibitions at Gefmany's capital II was
with a desire to bring about CHI nge that EN-
peror William recently bad conveyed to NJ. Her.
bette a letter lameniing the death OF MISSIONER,
whom he mad always considered lone of the
great glOries OF Frame and AIT throughout the
world" II was read At an evening sitting Of
the Fine Art Academy, and has excited consid-
cradle comment not ouly In France. but else
where GU The Continent.
One of the problems that legislators all over
the land are graphing with at present is how TO
make certain kinds OF property bear proper
tonate share OF tbe burdens Of taxation. Nalur-
ally some OF tile rich men who fioeked 10 New
York To enjoy the wealth acquired IN California
are deeply Interested in the scheme now before
the Legislature of New York 10 raise the Stale
taxes from personal property and the local taxes
from real estate. In Connecticut a similar prop
osltion has also been under consideration.