The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-09

The operation of the criminal law has its
ups and downs in remarkable oscillations
in the United States. George Hudson, a
desperate, was shot the other day In Mis-
souri,, and went TO his account like
desperate. How many murders had
lie committed, or, 10 put the CHASTITY
question a little more delicately, how
many persons had he killed? Only
seven! He has died young, and only began
his trade of murderer when bog. The odd
thing Is that he was arrested for some Of his
crimes and tried, but no jury could be found
TO convict him. When the jury system
reaches this pass il is on Its trial. Il is al
most useless as yindieation OF justice when
man who has committed seven murders is
at liberty to commit an eighth. Happily
when he tried to commit the eighth he was
killed himself. No wonder violent men
scott at punishment and the forms of law
They are really only afraid of lynching-
not OF law as 1t Is administered Hence
crimes of homicide are as numerous in the
United States as in all the countries of much
more populous Europe summed together.
The decision of the United States treasury
that the captains and other officers Of the
transferred Inman steamers must be citizens
OF tie United States TO hold command when
the stars and stripes flag is hoisted is right
In every sense OF the word. Other countries
follow the same rule. Any British steamer
sailing from this port is bound 10 take
British officers, and the captain at least
must hold a certificate as master mariner
from the British Board of Trade. The
same stringency ought TO be observed with
regard to American officers, because under
no other system could they be made amena-
bic to the requirements of American law.
1t Will be no very difficult matter to find
captains Of American birth or Daturaliza-
ton TO take the principal positions on the
City OF Paris and City of New York, and,
however much the less of the services Of the
present officers is 10 be deplOred, the en-
forcement of the rule is just 1t is good
thing to learn that the officers of these
vessels are qualifying for American citizen
ship. When fortune favors them hereafter
In life they will make no discrimination
against them on this side of the Atlantic.
1t is encouraging to learn that Mr. A. Il.
Hatch is not at all rebuffed by the cool re-
ception of CALIFORNIA; refrigerated fruit In
England. He takes the sensible view that
the English do not quite know what they
are talking about when they disparage these
special con signments, and that when thew
find out more about the quality of the fruit
they Will do precisely what people in the
East did-welcome il. This is the right
view TO take of the situation. We cannot
hope to convince the English all In a mo-
ment. Time is necessary for the expert
meht, and once an impression is made it
will last and the fruit-grOwers' market will
be a permanepcy. 1t took long while TO
convince the East of what California can
do. Mr.. Hatch is inclined to persevere with
increasing shipments to Europe rather than
give up the fight against prejudice. lie will
win in the end.
The case of Elwood Bruner hangs fire in
Judge Waliace's court because of the
absence of Mr.. Ottinger, a very material
witness Tor the prosecution. Nobody
knows why Mr.. Ottinger had to take a
holiday at this moment, but the longer he
stays away the better 10 is for Mr. Bruner,
for without his evidence the prosecution
confess themselves impotent aud plunged in
as profound despair as Is conceivable in the
laDrynthine lnwardnesS of public officials.
Judge wallace consents TO waita little long
er. but the prospects are poor for effectuaI
prosecution to finish. Law has long been
in an exemplary state of confusion.
Our Railroad Commissioners have set
Colonel r. p. Morgan at work collating
statistical railroad Information that they
themselves should have the intelligence.
capacity and honesty to obtain on their own
account, for it IS 10 post the Commissioners
that this gentleman has been employed.
The result will not be awaited with any
profound interest by community con-
WINGED by too many proofs of the character
and political dye of the Railroad Commits
sloners. Nothing they can do will rein
state them or iDdorse them In public
opisioD. AS 10 Colonel Morgan's salary.
mat Is matter yet to be studied.
A check for s1.o4o.OOo has now been
signed Tor the site OF the new San Francisco