The record-union., 1892-10-29
TEE RIDICULOUS PLIGHT OF AN
ABSURD NEWSPAPER.

'
The San Francisco Bulletin is sending
out to citizens in various parts of the
State circular letter, asking categorical
answers to questions incapable Of the re-
ply Eyes" or mo-; not susceptible of
categorical answers.
These questions relate to the election of
United States Senator, fares and freights,
regulation, abrogation of the Railroad
Commission and placing the regulation
of fares and freights in the Legislature,
where" the Bulletin dogmaticalIy in
forms its correspondents. sit properly
belongs" and, finally, whether ''the rail-
road company is spending any money
to elect candidates for the Legislature?
A more ridiculously impudent letter it
would scarcely be possible to frame; with
weak attempt at cunning, it indicates
the replies desired, but miserably fails to
conceal the animus that prompts it. This
Paul Pry of journalism seeks to consti-
tute itself guardian over the conduct of
the people, and accompanies it's effort
with the tactics of the bully and the as
sumption of wisdom that it has not.
For instance, this absurd sheet, that
would constitute itself the conscience and
brains of the State, without possessing
either element itself has the effrontery to
inform citizens of whom it asks favor.
but without so much as courteously
couched request as vehicle, what
the vital questions of the campaign are,
in its self-important judgment. Those
receiving the circular find It's formulation
such that certain propositions are as
sumed to be sound and incontrovertible,
and indicating through their disguise
that only answers favorable to the BuLle-
TINS selfish ends are desired.
The sheet has gone rabid upon certain
hobbies-is, indeed, so charged and in
feeted with them that it cannot award to
any one differing with it honesty of judg-
ment or sincere conviction. 1t is accord
ingly making itself supremely ridiculous
in more ways than one.
For instance, its fatty false and absurd
analysis of the Depot Act excites derision
wherever it has been read. 1t is SO pitt
fully weak and so manifestly prompted
by dyspephc and bilious hatred and case
hardened selfshness that feeling some
thing akin to pity mingled with mirth is
enkindled in the hearts of all who are
witness to that silly manifestation of
frothing senility.
Not less-rather more ludicrous is its
Owlish analysis of the propositions to be
voted upon on the Sth proximo. For in
stance, this metropolitan journal, that as
sumes to be mentor for the public.
speaks of the deficiency bill and the
plight of the Executive, which must now
accept or reject it as whole. The piping
and querulous paper is absolutely ig-
norant of the fact that there is now no
general deficiency bill, and that the pro-
posed amendment is to create one and to
permit item vetoes, and to prohibit the
incurring of deficiencies save under GER
tain conditions.
But, returning to the Bulletins circular
letter, it is to be taken for granted that
its unfairness permits it to publish, if it
can help it, no replies that do not play
into its hand. For it is not seeking to
disseminate the truth, but to warp and
prejudice public opinion. However, it
does leak out in the replies, despite the
effort at concealment, that the railroad
company is not spending money any
where to elect legislators-that is a
mares nest for which the BatlIeti, has
been groping; that in most of the heavy
voting sections the Traffic Associatlon's
scheme to repeat the experiment of legis-
lative regulation of railroad tariff sched-
ules has taken no root, and that the peo-
pie are not disposed to accept it or treat it
with any sort of seriousness.
A response 10 the Bulleti1ps impudent
circular came to it from one of the most
important counties, that it has not yet pub
hshed. 1t came from a citizen of broad
Information, intelligence, and a superior
judge of public sentiment. He says:
All Of our candidates are in favor OF the re-
peal o the section OF the State Constitute n
creating the Railroad Commission. They be-
leve il mas tailed to accomplish an thing that
WAS expected OF it, and that ii has proved to
lie more than useless.
The people of this part of the State are not
IN iayor OF forcing the railroads into politics,
as would happen if the Legislature should at
tempt 10 regulate fares and freighis. The
avs regulating interstate commerce, sucn as
that more shall not be charged for short
Ian long haul, and that there shall be no
discrimination IN favor OF or against persons
or places, constitute all the railroad legislation
necessary.
And here comes a most significant
paragraph in the reply that the Bulletin
fails to put to press, since it would not