The morning call., 1892-07-04

On the eve Of the Fourth Of July very
destructive e0u1agratiOn at san Jose is a
warning which might be needed by the
frivolous who delightin irecTackers. bombs
and rockets, but as usual, it is a warning
which will pass unheeded by irresponsible
youth. This fire was occasiOned by the
merest bit Of carelessness. A lighted
cigarette was thrown by a mischev0us boy
into pile of f-ecrackeTs. a very pretty
explosion followed, and it was succeeded by
an uncomfortable fire. The frecracker is
source OF amusement constantly attended
with peril in any city which contains numer-
Gus frame buildings. But somehow it ap-
pears impossible to suppress the frecracker.
In the very effective cartoon published in
yesterdays CALL, representing the South
ern Pacific Railroad Company as beacon
strict0r engiTthing the various institutions
of the land, and looking around for more
with a fierce attitude or head, there was
just one trifie omitted from consideration.
While grasping at the control of all traffic
by land and sea, the Southern Pacific does
not dIsdain TO attempt the mOnopolZatiOn
of street traffic In San Francisco, for in
stance. IL has gathered within its clutches
most Of the principal routes between the
bay and the park. Tie company is con-
stantly reaching out for more, and is q vo-
lent opponent Of everything like free COM
mind when in November rext they cast
their votes for whole string Of office hold
ers.
1t is always an indiscreet thing to impose
new taxes in an old country, and especially
direct taxes. Human nature will willingly
submit to heavy impGstS of an indirect
character, but when itcomes 10 the smallest
mite of contribution in straight payments
there is a revolt against the method. In
Madrid the Government are experiencing
very demonstratiye opposition to certain
new taxes OF the direct class. In fact the
population has become mob, and the col
lection OF any description of taxes is imper-
lied. 1t is useless to point out that these
taxes are necessary. and that direct tax is
the most economical Of all. The average
population deteSts taxation in the direct
form, and would submit easily to the pay
ment OF twice as much, provided the eXtrac-
ton was accomplished in a roundabout
fashion. The riotng in Madrid has been
serious in consequence Of these fiscal eXpe-
Timents.
Bismarck is reported as saying: 81 have
fallen into disfavor with the Kaiser. do
not know why. The Kaiser has not fallen
into disfavOr with me-" 1t is generally
understood that the reason why Bismarck
is not in favor with the Emperor William
simply arises from his hectoring spirit. He
would have preferred TO be in power with
the Emperor a submissive, plant instrument
merely nOdding acquiesence to the rule Of
the Chancellor. As the constitution is in
Germany the Emperor is by no means
cipher. and as soon as the Emperor William
came TO the throne he insisted upon doing
his own share Of the worK to the fullest ex-
tent. quarrel soon arose between two
strong men and the Emperor and his Chan
celior parted. As Bismarck is now near the
normal end OF life he might as well live in
retirement, cOntented 10 appear In history
for what he has done.
The ironworkers at Pittsburg appear To
contemplate a strike with light heart.
They have a defense fund in hand amount
ing TO a quarter of a million and this. it ia
said, may be doubled with very little effort.
But il is TO be borne in mind that even treble
this amount IS very small purse with which
TO engage in warfare against capital There
are so many thousands depending on n
strike fund that in a very few weeks it NAV
be depleted and leave the employer still de-
fant and strong. The men will do well 10
ponder some means OF solving their difficult
ties by equitable arbitration.
Tie wreck of the steamer CITY OF Chi
cago on the southwest coast of Ireland is n
disaster for which thero is little blame to
distribute. The steamer had made the
land in a dense fog. and going by dead reck-
oning 1t ran on the rocks OF a very rocky
coast Perhaps the captain is to blame for
running at full speed and not taking sornd-
ings frequently. He has lost his Ship and
of course VIII be no more heard of in the
luman service. Happily there is no loss
Of life.