The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-10

Great hardship is occasioned to seamen
who are witnesses in criminal cases by the
invariabe practice OF keeping them in jail
until their evidence is wanted-whch very
likely may be a few years after the occur
renee TO be investigated 1t matters not
whether the United States or local aulhori-
ties have jurisdicti0n-to jail the sailor goes
on general principles, as il he had double
dose Of original sin and cannot be trusted.
The Federal courts are accustomed to con-
fine poor TarIybreeks in the County Jail or
10 Alameda, and the stench-iaden tanks of
the City Prison are considered eligible by
the local authorities. 1t is downright
punishment to witnesses thus TO be herded
with criminals of all degrees, and TO take
their food shOVeed TO them as IL they were
dangerous animals in cage. Three sea-
men who have been arrested at Port Costa
as witnesses are protesting vigorously
against their treatment but they will prob
ably invoke the aid Of the British Consul
in vain. Had the crime to be tried occurred
at sea, the Consul would have had jurisdic-
ton, but be has none In port.
What is the guarantee that murder,
stabbng affray or robbery on board ship
Will be brought 10 trial soon? There is
none. According to the pressure Of other
cases or the influence brought to bear a case
may be shuttecocked to and fro for
years. There are always hundreds Of jury
cases ahead. A witness who lives on shore
and follows his calling is not under undue
bardshi . 10 appear when called upon to
give evidence. But a sailor goes from port
to port in pursuit of his calling, and may
not return if on foreign voyages. In such
cases, to obvate hardship. his evidence
should be taken on commission, the prisoner
and his counsel being present to cross-ex-
anime, and such evidence would be Just as
good for second trial as for first As
matters stand sailor who understands his
own interest Is tempted to flee from port
where he is wanted as witness, even If he
has not received a dime by way of bribe Not
long ago sailor passed several months in
jail waiting for a case, and the criminal
was out on bail. DO doubt arranging effectu-
ally for his exculpatlOn when arraigned.
Hypnotism may be very dangerous work
whether the operator arrogates to himself
the title of professional or is c0ntented
with being an amateur. The person oper-
ated upon may be rendered so subjective
and passive, especially after repeated
frances, that his will evap crates aud be
may drift into condition resembling mem
tai imbecllity. A case of indiscretion in
hypnotiSm is reported from New York,
where an amateur threw his friend into
trance, and neither he nor two professional
men have since been able TO arouse him.
Should the victim die the lawyers will have
a queer case on their hands.
The Tauric of the White Star line may be
trusted to weather any gale on the Atlantic,
being a specially strong cargo steamer, and
so Colonel North, the millionaire who has
won so many prizes on the turf, will land
his string Of running horses for the various
events Of this memorable year. Two bun
terriers. prize sheep and a consignment of
prize fowls by the same steamer are useful,
but not Indispensable. The colonel Is gen.
orally successful in horse flesh, but not even
Rothschild can better afford TO lose.
SOnoma County is about to wage war On
tramps by curtailing the courtesies Of hos
pitality. Scant fare will hereafter be their
portion. Heretofore they have been dined
snmptuously on giSot of mutton. smoking
round Of beef. ribs of pork, wild goose,