The morning call., 1892-06-10

course our citizens are becoming tired of the
management which enables a few pOliti-
cal tricksters gatherin all the money which
a eonfidiug public will contribute for even
a laudable purpose.
Au electric railroad to annihilate dis
lance at the rate of one hundred miles an
hour is the talk of the moment among GER
tain engineering men. This more than
pigeOn-fight route is to connect Chicago
and ST. Louis, two rival cities which, by
this bond of facile transportation, will once
more be united in amity. The railroad is
to be in operation in 1898, and if successful,
as promoters and everybody else hopes, we
shall see many more OF such railroads In
operation year or two subsequently,. a
hundred miles an hour is four times the
speed attained on express journeys by the
Central and Union Pacific companies. 1t Is
too sanguine 10 expect that we shall ever
see the day when the Journey TO New ork
from the Pacific Coast will be performed at
the rate of 100 miles an hour The Pacific
Coast would be grateful for an aeceleration
of speed to 80 miles an hour, which would
be quite double the present jog-tr0t But
if 100 miles an hour were once attained
what position California would occupy IN
accommodating the markets OF the East
with the Injuries Of life. The dream IS
altogether too pleasant for realization. and
will be so if the Southern Pacific remains in
possession of every controlling transpOrta-
tion influence under the Californian sun.
The lghtGng-rOd man will soon be in
California, as a most promising State for
his business, If there are only few thun-
der-stoTms such as visited Stockton on
Wednesday. OF all the States in the Ameri-
can Union California is the most exempt
from electrical disturbances. We hardly
know what lightning is, and snow on the
ground is an interesting demonstration for
schools as TO the forms which water may
assume. But our climate Is apparently
undergoing some secular change. which re-
minds the '49-ers that things are not III the
air as they were when first they knew the
coast. The rain comes down in showers
timely and untimely, and frost IS an in
tTudeT when least wanted. 10 add thunder
storms TO the category OF change is humill-
ating, for the country ranch will have to be
protected by llghtning-ruds, and tie hotels,
at the innumerabe springs north aud south,
VIII have TO throw a forest OF rods into the
sky as a guarantee of security. But so far
the number Of people killed ny forked light
ming in California is remarkably small
Otherwise our advantages in homicide are
not conspicuous.
The floods in the East present some idea
Of the value Of property in the regions Wis
tied by the great waters. The iuundaton
Of 10000 farms in Arkansas involves a loss
Of $40, coo, 600. Illinois is estimated TO have
lost $4,000, coo. Iowa has lost over $1,000
Geo, and Missouri over $4,000 coo. This is
startling testimony TO the activity OF the sun
10 lifting aqueous vapOrS into the sky from
ocean and lake, and sending them again 10
earth in movable showers and deluges
The suns heat plays greater part in the
daily affairs Of the earth than the suns grav-
national power. The one effects US every
hour AID the other is so very uniform as to
be considered without material force by the
multitude. IN these times at least we have
ceased PRAYING to keep comets at respect
ful distance.
These sheep have arrived at New York
from Persia. They are Of the fat-tailed
species, with plenty Of silky wool and slim
bodies, and they are expected to thrive in
California as the only part of the United
States Congenially suited to their develop
ment. The sixteen in the original shipment
have been increased by three en- route. 1t
is sincerely to be hoped that the Pacific
Coast will suit the constitution OF these wool
valued immigrants. There is plenty of
space for them, in the fullest pastoral sense,
aud if they and their offspring add 10 our
material wealth they are valuable intro
ductiOE with a future of usefulness. But it
is an experiments and results must be
awaited patiently. More than this is needed
to give spring IN the midst of winter to
h0wery California.
Il is just a tTfle too audacious that a
couple OF political BOSSES of no repute but
of some potentially in the Republican
party, MessrS. Kelly and Crimmins. should
have Undertaken to manage the celebration
Of the Fourth Of July. They are adopts in
effecting organization, it is true, but what
would George Washington or any of the
pillars Of the American Constitution think
of men Of this stripe leading a city TO a
platform Of national celebration? George
would have used language uncOmmonly but
not repTehenslvely vigorous; but had he
lived 10 these times 1t is very questionable
what George would have done. He might
have said adeu to politics on finding out
how much hangs upon the magnetism Of
persons apart from principles Kelly and
Crimmins, as Fonrth of July saVi0rs, are
presented to the public IN the amable light
OF being immaculate. 1t Is poor celebra-
ton which includes these men as managers.
a few clipper ships Of the build and
caTgo-carrying capacity Of one that has just
arrived in the harboT Of San Francisco
would solve many problems in transporta-
ton. This vessel, built on the Clyde. has
room for cargo to the extent of 5000 tons,
has entered the bay. Were such vessels
completely outside the domination Of
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company
we should soon experience the benefits
of competition, which simply means
the doing Of business on moderate but
paying terms. 1t IS almost certain that
ocean traffic, in order TO pay, will be carried
On In vessels advancing IN this capacity of
pattern and style. The railways will not
always be able to hold them in check.
The decision of the Treasury in prevent
ing Angel Island being made use of as
quarantine station tor Chinese intended for
Honolulu, but who are. on account of infec-
tious disease. refused debarkation by the
Hawaiian authorities is entirely in the right
direction. The companies who have these
passengers on board their ships, and who
take the profits of the traffic as well as the
risks, are bound TO make some other proYi-
sion. Some islet Of the Hawaiian group
may be used for the purposes of quarantine
quite as conveniently as Californian soil,
and with probably less expense.
The suspension of the Oriental Bank is
serious matter to business men who are in
the East Indian trade, but it will occasion
nothing like the complications that threat
ened TO overwhelm finances when the house
of Barring was seized with paralysis, and
was only galvanized into a continuation of
existence by forbearance and the assistance
OF the Bank OF England. The Oriental
Bank is perhaps only temporarily embar-
Tassed, but IN these days of rash speculation
and imprudent confidence, who can tell?
1t is bank which has always paid an ex-
eeptionally high rate of interest on deposits.
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