The morning call., 1893-08-15

The disaster to a merchant vessel by
collision with the cruiser Forth shows that
war-vessels in time Of peace may be an
unmitigated nuisance. They not only prod
one another below the belt during ma
neuvers, but dig into trading ships. In
such cases the blow is far below the wafer
line, and is sure TO SINK a vessel not well
bulk beaded with the doors tight. Whai
happens during fog may also occur
dnring a daik night. Vessels of war
disregard at pleasure the rul-S of the road
at sea in regard to lights, especially dur ing
times of mimic warfare, and very often
they pillow shehd with little concern for
the grimy trading steamer or sailing YES
sol. During Jog the momentum IS mod
crate, but If blow were delivered by a
ram at full speed the vessel receiving it
would probably be cut in two. Some i'm
provements are needed on the rule Of the
road and signals, especially in thick
weather.
A report is current that Baron Bleich-
roder, the BANKER of Berlin, is negotiating
to ge: hold of the Tehuantepec Raiway
which is now all but flushed. There. no
doubt, is money in the venture for the
Baron. but it is not obvious out of whose
pocket it is to come. Mexico feels the
financial stringencv like other countries.
but it is to be hoped that II has 10 inten.
tIOa of parting with 80 valua Die a property
to any sprculator, after the assurance has
been given that the line is to be untran-
meled, and is to remain Open to the world
commerce. If German banker is 10 get
hold of 1t there NAV soon be other bar
gains to record. &. 7. Huntington would
soon have a finger In the pie, and would
take care tia, none OF his cherish ed trans
continental projects are injured. This
railway is susceptible Of being made Of
great service to the United States, but 1t
might become an evil il allowed to fall into
the hands Of the traffic manipulators.
Advice is given by a clergyman that peo-
pie should only buy the things they can
pay for. and then there Will be no hard
times and no want. There are some things
a community needs in the interest of all.
and these it can pay for. even if it borrows
a part of the money. Nobody who has the
sound interests Of this State at heart can
doubt tn at the prime need for progress is
independent railways. over which con-.
moditles can reach the proper markets rs
cheaply as possible. The Stockton and
Bakersfield Railroad. for instance. will
emancipate the whole San Joaquin Valley.
1t will bring the Southern Pacific down
from its high perch all over the State.
Friends of the monopoly are claiming
credit for reduction of rates to the rasn
curers. But thi, beneiicence was unheard
Of until the North American Ma vigati
Company offered rate Of 30 cents per 100
pounds to New York. With the local
charge from Fresno to San Francisco that
would be about 81 Tor the whole distance.
The company gives way under compulslon
and expects the public to say it is magnan-
,mous. 1t will pay to Duild the valley
road.
What sort Of sport there is in killing
deer with spring-gun nobody knoweth.
But there assuredly is no sport in killing
human beings, and the man who laid the
sprng-gun at North San Juan should be
held accountable for manslaughter. Even
to warn off criminals or trespassers the
resort to such eXpedients is reprehensible
and cuIpable. Venison is poor game
when obtained at the risk Of Staying hu-
man beings.
The financial situation in the East is ma
terially relieved. Currency has been
drawn from boards and put into circula-
ton by the temptation of high premium.
but the demand has now eased off. and
payrOlls can be paid without an unusual
strain. Gold is also pouring into the coun-
try. What is needed Is a return to cheer
fulness and confidence, and then business
will pursue its normal routine. This coun-
try Is not the only sufferer, but it should
be the first TO get over the furry and re.
store prosperity to industries.
The proposed dome to complete the
new City Hall is the right sort of struc-
ture in height and general design to add
grace and finish to the whole fabric. If
the opinion Of the artists were taken on