The morning call., 1892-05-09


As was said at the time. the earthquake
shocks which recently were proclaimed as
frightful cataclysms did far less damage
than a single cyclone in a single county in
the East is apt TO do. The opinion was also
expressed that the buildings were not towers
of strength. but were such as might be eX-
pected in the rural districts Of State exposed
t. very few YIcissitudes of weather. But it
now appears to be ascertalned that had the
masons and bricklayers used mortar OF
ordinary quality In tenacity a number of
the buildings shaken down might have re-
sisted the shocks. Wet sand or mud is net
the material 10 bind courses of bricks or
blocks Of stone together, and this seems TO
have been the sort of mortar commonly en-
plOyed Some Of the very high buildings In
San francisco NAV be considered earth
Quake-pT0Of, as far as human Ingenuity can
give this guarantee. Quite apart from the
sounduess of the materials. the system Of
bracing the fabric internally with steel or
iren imparts strength and rightly cal
cuiated to offer great resistance TO seismic
vibrations. Valuable buildings in the in
terror can be similarly protected.
The question Of whether the Hopkins
mansion can be obtained for a museum by
the Art Association or some other repre-
sentative body is yet in allegiance, and the
utmost the public know is that Mr.. Still
man, legal adviser to Mr.. SeaTles, has been
consulted on the subject and is said TO be
favorable personally. No other use could
be found for the mansion half so good as
converting it into museum building. 1t is
large enough to satisfy the wants of San
Francisco for at least century. 1t is not
matter on which the public can have much
choice. II the Hopkins mansion cannot be
got as gift, IL is extremely improbable that
q museum near the business center will be
provided out Of taxation. Were provision
of this kind made out OF taxes the site most
suitable would probably be found in the
Golden Gate Park, where at least there
would be nothing TO pay for the ground.
The park is resorted to by the masses on
Sundays and holidays, and 1t is only when
they have leisure that large numbers Of the
population can take the opportunity TO
study pictures and statuary. There is room
in the park not only for museums but for
geological collection worthy of the mare.
Tie exposure of fraudulent enumeration
In the New York State census cannot be
palatab.e reading to citizens who groan
under the yoke of Tammany's tortuous
methods, but the evil is done, and those
who were bold enough to devise the frauds
are doubtless quite prepared with further
strategy to reap the benefits. When this
wholesale tampeTing with census is posi-
bic, corruption has almost been elevated to
the dignity of a science. Hill enjoys ma
chine-made security Of party favor in New
York, but his reputation IN the country is
tainted by a number of audacious high
handed acts characteristics Of the unscrupu-
lOuS poilticaltrickSter, and it Is In vain to pre-
sent him as worthy of the Presidency. He
Is, however, force to be reekoned with by
the man who is chosen.
Keeley's biebloride Of gold treatment for
the reformation of drunkards is to take
a trial in England, where it has quite as
much need of a sphere Of operations as in
the United States The Kelley physicians
may be prepared to run the gauntlet of
severe criticism in the medical Journals,
but to this they are probably indifferent
provided they have patients to treat. They
are besides accustomed to seventies Of
criticism on this side of the Atlantic.
Some OF the hydropathic establishments
may take up the cure IL they find it succeed.
ing. These institutions were primarily in
tended to brace I'D tippleTs, as well as to be
the resorts Of the invalid, but in practice
the alcoholic victim has no difficulty in
procuring as much liquor as be wishes out
side, and he either smuggles II within the
walls or consumes it In extramural festvty.
AS temperance hotels the hydropathic
houses are not unailoyed successes.
Lord Salisbury's solemn croakings CT
warning on the hOme-rule question need
not disturb any one familiar with his lofty
style Of defamation when opposing the
Liberal and Nationalist programme for
Ireland. Everybody understands that in
his view for the time being home-rule
would place hostile island on England's
flank, and he thinks also it would subject
TO Infinite damage and disgraeeful abandon
ment the so-called loyal party that England
has upheld in Ireland. There is no indica-
ton Of generosity or magnanimity in Sails
bury's conceptions OF the Irish people. They
must be held down by British power and
badly governed by Britain, without repent
anee for the evils of the past or the present.
To suppose that the Irish people are incap-
able OF agreement about their own govern