The morning call., 1893-10-05

The Grand Jury report ranges over the
whole field of municipal government and
finds fault with many things, from the con-
struction CT sewers down to the ways of
the Lunacy Commission. 1t protests
strongly against the abolition of the sewer
commission. The labors of this body are
commended for thoroughness. and it is in
timated that had it been in existence when
the plumbing and sanitary engineering OF
the new City Hall were being carried out
no such foul botchng of the work would
have occurred MS has lately been revealed.
If the writing of reports were all that is
necessary San Francisco would be city
admirably perfect.
To-day the first of the yacht races for the
America cup comes off in New York
waters between Lord Dunraven's cutter
Valkyre and the New York syndicate
cutter Vigilant. Interest far exceeding
that which has marked former contests
has been evoked by the present match.
Lord Dunraven is said to have expressed
surprise at the excitement. 1t is certainly
strange that whols metropolis like New
York should be worked into state of
nervous perturbation over nautical event.
London is not SO excited over the Derby.
the course for which is well within driving
be at all propitious every steamer available
for run down TO Sandy Hook will be
black with crowds of spectators, and sail
ing craft innumerable will CO: the waters.
Some accidents there must be. especially If
there is more than capful OF wind. All
the high ground about the Highlands will
be occupied with sightseers. The race is
certain TO be well contested. and there
seems to be great confidence that the Val
kyrie. beautiful model as she is. will be
beaten.
Whatever the effect of the inquiry into
the acceptance of the San Francisco Post
office site may be. it is regrettable that
work on the building is hindered. A Post
Office of some kind must be built, and the
present is opporlune in the highest degree
to carry forward the work. Operations on
so huge a fabric would provide employ
ment for large number of men, unless
the Government means to spread the con-
strnction over long span OF years. There
is need of the building and need of the
work it affords, and yet no one knows
when digging for the foundation will COM
mence.
Mr.. Van Allen, there seems reason to
assume, will be indorsed for Italy by the
Senate, and there he will go as very rich
minister TO country very rich in art but
pODT UtIcIWlsc. he MAY now
give an explanation of why he was so
generous with the 0000 he subscribed
for the Democratic campaign. Perhaps
he may wiggle out OF he assertion that the
payment was conditional upon his appoint
ment, but many people will remain con-
vinced that there was f0rethought in the
gift
The Supervisors are putting down the
nuisance of distributing circulars and
dodgers" on the streets. The next thing
10 do is to enforce the order. twill hardly
be successful unless there is some power
to deal with those who accept leaflets and
throw them away as soon as glanced at.
From this pernicious practice litter accu-
mulases on the leeward side of street and
drifts up and down with every gust Ladies'
trains often carry quite an ENHANCEMENT
of rubbish as they are trailed over the
pavement If all this is banshed San
Francisco should become trihe better
looking than it Is.
The Rev. Mr.. Haweis need not be fol.
lowed in his dictum that there is no music
in nature. There are at least sounds
which are full of charm and others that
are terror inspiring. What more delightful
sound in the hush of the wood can there
than the brawling of brook. and what is
there more soGorously impressive than the
beat OF ocean r0l ers on the shore? The
brattle of the thunder peal Is awe-inspir-
ing. AS to birds what joyous exhilaration
is there not in the song Of the lark up in
the sky before sunrise when the air is still
and the light solemn.
The destruction of a celebrated water
color from the brush of Burne Jones is,
perhaps, commercial gain TO that for
tunate artist, who is regarded by half the
picture enthusiasts as genius. and by the
other half as only eccentric med%ocrty.
He has had all the satisfaction possible
from painting the work, and has the
money therefor In his pocket. The
dealers must deplore the ruin produced by
indiscrimInate treatment in the hands Of
the engraver, but theirs is only loss Of
cash value. The artist has only to produce
fresh work In his characteristic somber
and mournful style and will find his repu-
tation enhanced.
The accounts brought down from the
Pribilotf Islands do not sustain the stories
of determination of the seals. They have
not been raided by poachers on the rook-
cries and appear to be just as numerous
as ever. At all events they are not seri-
ously diminished. But under the Paris
arbitration, should there be any laxity in
enforcing the regulations. the poachers
may soon alter tho situation for the worse.
PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT.