The morning call., 1893-04-05

The occasion of spontaneous combustion
in eargoes of coal on long voyages is as far
from solution as ever. Some of the mining
districts of England have bad reputation
for fiery fuel in ships holds. Many cargoes
shipped from South Wales have burst into
fame and destroyed noble vessels, but
cargoes have also taken fire from Lam
cashre, Durham and Scotland. The theories
are numerous as to causes, Ventilation is
supposed to be efficacious as a proven tive,
but Others contend that it fans combustion
and may assist in starting fire. 1t is i'm
possible to Dramatically seal cargo. OF
late the theory has been preached that GER
tain qualities of coal have the elements in
their composition which sustain a con flagra-
ton without much assistance from the air.
How the good ship King James from New
castle-on-Tyne came to take fire is likely to
remain mystery. Tyne coal is not sup
posed to DE very risky. Probably there has
been no loss Of life, but the captains boat
has yet to be heard from. 1t Is regrettable
that no attempt was made 10 sink the burn
ing hulk. The coal will burn out and leave
the hull adrift, thus Increasing the dangers
to navigation from dereliets. The oppor-
tunity is excellent for salvage. and the Fear
less is the tugbOat to undertake the work.
AS the vessel was only abandoned on the
3lst of March, 200 miles from San Francisco,
ii cannot have drifted far.
Robbery is becoming q fine art and pur-
suit OF pleasure. SO much may be Inferred
from many occurrences of late, but espe-
ciaily from a tragedy az Mound City, Mo.
Burglaries have been frequent there during
six months. A Mr.. Shellenberg was appre-
hensive lest he should be the next victim,
and he kept watch. On toward midnight
four masked men entered the store, and
Mr.. Shellenberg turned on the electric
light and called upon them to throw up their
hands. Three of them obeyed and the
fourth was shot dead while trying to
escape. Upon being unmasked he was dis
covered to be the son Of a wealthy citizen
and one Of the popular young men of the
place. His companions are all in good
social status. So much has the town been
impressed with the responsibility of their
belongings that they are to be forgiven, not
only this burglary, but all tile others in
which they have participated. The feeced
merchants in fact refuse to prosecute.
Dss0lute gambling scOundrels who take
to crime on principle. and not from the
vulgar necessity of making a living, will
note this humane tendency. Wealth and
rank confer privileges which are denied to
the ordinary herd who plumber stores.
Justice is destitute of backbone when this
desertiOn Of duty is allowed.
The infexible principle of requiring un-
animous verdicts in criminal cases is pref
lilly Illustrated in the case of highlander
charged with murder who has been placed
on trial before Judge Daingerield. Days
have been consumed In wedding n jury,
with the result that on Monday only seven
had been nominally secured. The process
is like searching for needle in haystack
Actually 600 citizens have been questioned
as their capacity to try this Chinaman, and
about one in hundred is considered tit for
the severely intellectual task. Even the
seven who are in the box may be ordereaS
out of it again for cause or Dy peremptorv
challenge. A thousand good men and true