The morning call., 1892-12-24

1t begins to appear probable that the
French republic will weather the storm
raised about the Panama canal frauds. The
Government is bent on exposing the guilty,
and that is all the country wants to recover
its honor and strength. How many men fall
is of little consequence compared with the
thorough purgiBg of the corrupt element
that Will come from an eXhaustlng inYesti-
cation. A full debate in the Chamber OF
Deputies will clear the air. A few duels
may be the direct consequence. but that is
OF trifllng moment, for duels are harmless
circus performances IN France. The Roy
alists and BonapartSts are interestedly
anxious 10 disgrace the republic. They are
on the outlook for their forlorn chance Of
coming to power on a Partisan or paroehial
coup d'etat. 1t is most sincerely 10 be hoped
that they viii be defeated, for more raScally
eOrTuptlonlsts never were in France than
these BOurbens and Bonapartes. 1t is of
all things unfortunate that the press OF
Paris should be yenai. The people read in
terested distortions and lies day by day. 1t
may be said that there is not one pure paper
in Paris. They are all purchasable, like
bales of goods.
California cannot now be described as q
country deprived of the blessings of rain.
In the winter season it is becoming some
what of a webfoot country. But the rain
only comes in spells of week or so at q
time. A bowling gale, as an accompani-
ment, does not result in much damage either
on the bay or along the streets. However
unpleasant the downpour may be III cities,
the drenchlng pluyl0usuess OF the clouds Is
a shower of gold 10 the agriculturist of Cal
ifOTnla. III we cannot have rain distributed
month by month over the year. it is well TO
welcome its benehcence in cOpiOus showers
during the winter season. These generous
rains appear never 10 fail in the winter, and
the crops of the State never fail in summer.
Prices and freights fluctuate, but rarely the
crop, whatever ii may be.
EVIL examples are contagious. but not in
higher ratio than good examples. or the
world of moral responsibility would soon
dribble 10 an end. Train-looting has now
been introduced into Russia. 1t may be in
ferred that this conception of gaining dis
honest livelihood has come from America,
where the practice IS prevalent and the
punishment is scarce. In Polish Russia q
gang of train-robbers went Through the
passengers and officials in orthodox style,
relieving gentlemen of their purses and
watches, women Of their rings, and officials
Of any spare cash. They got clean away
also. IL was an exploit equal 10 any deed
of train-robbery performed in California or
Ioiora1o. But when Russia catches any
OF these train-rObbing rascals there will be
little leniency shown. Changes OF venue or
trips from court TO court are severely
fT0Wned upon. The traln-TobbeF has little
scope anywhere in Europe.
Even with a change Of administration it
will not do to leave matters affecting immi-
grafton in doubt during the coming spring.
The specter OF ch olera cannot be trifled
with. II we 60 on importing rags from
Europe we may do more harm to the a.
tional health than if we a llowed immigra-
ton to 60 unchecked. But. looked at
logically, a thousand bales of rags from
Russia may do more mischief than a hun
dred thousand passengers. When the cir
cumstaDces require il the Federal authority
should have the power 10 stop both immi-
grafton and the importation or any n0xious
materials from which disease may be propa-
gated. 1t Will not do to daily with this
question. 1t is yet winter, but spring is al
hand. and If cholera comes to America in
| the spring disaster is imminent for the Chi
cago exhibition. And the disaster will
| spread much farther. While there yet is
time harmony ought to be brought about
between the Federal and State authorities
at all the ports into which foreign vessels
enter. The disease can be kept out If there
is harmony; but, If not. the probabilities
are otherwise.