The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-04

Japanese paper mas lad the curiosity TO
compare the occupations followed by the
representatives of the people in France,
England and America. The results are
striking and they may afford some material
for study by theorists as TO the occult in
fueuces underlying the varying qualities of
legislation. Land proprietors and farmers
are thus apportioned: France. go; England,
1873; America, SO. Commercial and manu.
featuring men-France, 81; England, 312
America, %. Civil service-France, 90;
England, Al; America, o. Naval and mill
taTy officers - France, IS; England, 60;
America, 0, Lawyers, barrislers. journal
lists. artisans, physicians and clergymen-
France, Do; England, 107; America, 2S9
The painful conclusion is reached that our
representation in Congress is mostly COM
posed OF lawyers, and that from lawyers
nothing can be expected in the discussion of
general or permanent principles. but only
tile policy of the moment. This Is a hard
rub at the legal profession and not wholly q
libel. But it Is peculiar to find that in
japan, where theSe are only twenty lawyers
and very few other professional men as
legislators, the Diet, as il is termed, is GER
tainy noisy. What the garrulity may at
tain to when the proportion of lawyers in
creases no one can venture 10 predict Pro-
priet0rs OF land and business men form q
large majority in the English Parliament.
| The greater number are men living on their
means and retired. at least. from active di-
reetion Of their business affairs They have
thus time TO devote to national duties. In
France many of the representatives are
! journalists, profession which is ma terally
assisted by active participation in politics.
A State constitution may be Inconveniently
hard and fast, so as to defeat good legisla-
ton. or this hurtful rigidity there has
been an illustration in Illinois. where the
| Supreme Court has pronounced against the
| NJ al apfi-trnek hill
pressly intended TO afford relief to miners.
| A constitution which negatively gives sane
! ton TO the infamies and extorlionate OPP
| presslons OF the truck system is defective
| and should lie amended forthwith. The
| measure which has fallen foul of the funda-
mental law OF the State was declared In
| valid because 1t limits tie power of the
| individual TO enter into contracts which
/ may be agreeable to the employer aud EN-
| ploye, and because it is Objectionable as
special legislation. But under the truck
method Of contract there is no freedom.
The employers have not the legal power to
say TO their woTkmen, You must take your
wages in supplies at our stores. and we shall
charge You what We please" They have
| what Is quite sufficient for their purpose,
| tile practical power of discharging men
who do not comply with their orders or con-
| dlttons. 1t does require special legisa-
| iion to prevent them resOrtinE TO
| this enslayiug tyranny, and there should
| The boosted principle of freedom of con-
| tract where such immoral practices prevail.
| Iii truck robbery were general we should
| have workmen earning wages they never
| see in coin, and living from hand to mouth
on neeessarieS of life obtained from employ
| ers on their own terms. The employer
| would sell provisions, clothes, boots and
| shoes, furniture. books, luXuries Of any de-
| scfiption that found a sale. He might own
| dweling-houses, and even the churches i'll
| which his bonded wcrkmeu worship, charg-
| ing them pew rent All this is constitu-
| tional apparently IN Illinois. Where Is the
! frt edom Of contract when that can be done?
| Is there man who would submit to such
terms, unless under compulsion? We have
| no doubt that an effectice road for coach
! aud four will ultimately be found TO defeat
this INDUSTRIOUS iniquity.
Bgh hopes appear 10 be entertained that
the Hopkins mansion on Mob Hill will be
handed over 10 the Art Association of San
Francisco for the purposes of a museum
| aud for instruction in art. 1t is not an ideal
building for this lofty intention, but that
| would be hard to discover. and the adage
about not looking gift-horse in the mouthap-
| plies forcibly. The rooms are numerous and
well lighted and many Of them are large.
| A permanent collection OF pictures could
| here he displayed effectively, and room
! might be found for art treasures II. furDi-
| ture, pottery, wood carving. iron work,
| tapestry and laces. Once in existence many
! citizens would make donations, and perhaps
| take competitive pride IN acts OF munlh-
cence. But thus far all that may be written ON
| the subject is only anticipation. The Art As
| ISOLATION have no positive know ledge that the
mansion Is to be handed over to them as
| public trust; they only occupy an exDectant
| position. They are probably better quail
| fed TO undertake the trusteeshlp than any
| other Quasi-public body. Along with the
building, il NAV be hoped, will come some
nest-egg OF endowment for without funds
| to make progressive start such gift might
| prove as embarrassing as a white elephant
! The visit of Thomas +. Stillman is there
! fore Of portentieus consequence TO the for
tunes of art In San Francisco.
Vigilance Committee or some other
terror to evil-doers is apparently necessary
at Oakesdale. In Washington, and one has
accordingly been formed. Since the 1st Of
| January there have been eleven murders.
and 1t is clear that this defamation of the
pOpu lation cannot go on without giving
cemetery lots boOm-the last thing to be
! thought of in stimulating the prosperity of
| town. The committee took measures to
| hang man who is under arrest for MUIR
| der which has deeply aroused public resent
| ment. The Sheriff was too quick, however,
/ for the avengers, having carried of his
| prisoner 10 safe quarters. But the very ex-
| istence OF Nigilancs Committee will have
! a wholesome effect in restraining resort to
| deadly weapons among the desperate class.
| According TO q consular report the Pana-
ma Railroad had until three years ago the
distinction OF standing highest among the
railways of the world In respect of charges.
| The passenger fare from Panama to Colon
| was S25 for first-class and $40 for second
class, or 90 cents and 20 cents respectively
| per mile AT present the rates are 10 cents
| and cents per mile, and passengers are
| allowed from 100 10 200 pounds of baggage.
| This reduction is not the result Of eompeti-
| ton. The company may charge what Ii
| pleases for freights and fares. and the lease
| OF % years prohibits any second railway
without the consent of the company. For
| these concessions the Colombian Govern
| ment receives paVment of S950 IN