The morning call., 1894-01-09

average compensate for reverses. one re-
port describes the destruction as amount
ing TO 1000 out OF a total crop OF 4OUO car
loads. This is probably wild guesswork,
but If not, the loss is very serious. Suen
reduction of the supply should have the
effect of raising the price OF the SOUND re-
mainder, but there many vieissltudes OF
trade which might prevent this from De-
ing realized. In the middle portion OF the
State frosts have done some damage 10
gardens. Plants which usually continue
TO bloom during The winter have been
killed of. Even the hardy geranium has
suffered considerably. In the I9othlll
region, however, and especially in Placer
County. no damage is reported.
The Geological Survey has completed,
1t is said, an investigation into the water
resources of the country for the purpose
OF irrigation. This inquiry Included an
examination of most of the basins west oil
the Missouri River, and presumably the
flow of the Colorado River was ascer-
tanned. The results are Disappointing 10
the Optimists who had hoped there was
enough water to reclaim the whole OF the
arid area. According to one authority.
Mr.. Newell, not even 10 per cent OF the
land owned BIZ the Government can be
irrigated owing TO deficiency OF catchment
He does not think there is enough water
to bring under cultivation an area equal
10 that which is already in private owner
ship. The report will bear scrutiny, now
ever. as TO what is meant by available
supply. The proportion of rainfall which
finds its way into the river courses may
only be IN Oderate in porous regions, aud a
good deal OF water may be ootalnaole Dy
sinking wells. But the report is good
step toward ascertaining what can be
II a m tnQTp
sibilitles OF utilizing the rainfall better by
affOrestatiOn.
The mystery about the Corwin and her
news from Hawaii was sustained impene-
trably on Saturday and Sunday by the
simple device OF anchoring the vessel IN
friendly harbor as if she were in foreign
waters. Such a spectacle has scarcely ever
been presented to a wondering nation be-
fore. What would New Workers think of
a cruiser coming in with news OF impor-
lance from South America and cutting of
ali communication by anchoring off the
Highland Lights. But to-day such feat
would not be possible in connection with
any other part of the world but Hawaii
The telegraph is in touch with the remOt-
est parts Of the globe in Asia, Africa.
Australia, South America and the West
Indies and steamer could not be made
TO play a secTetive game. Hawaii is with
out Telegram hic communication. If a secret
must be kept perhaps there was no other
way than TO order all on board the COrwin
10 keep silence and TO stop all shore leave.
But what if there is no warrant for con-
cealment?
If anything can bring the law into con-
tempt 1t is want of uniformity in punish
ment and sentences either ridiculOusy
light or preposterOusly heavy. The rObber
who stopped a mail-cart in Nebraska and
relieved the carrier Of l cent is victim of
undue severity. he is a young man, and
he has been sentenced TO Imprisonment for
life. The Federal Judge who committed
him regretted that he had no other course,
which was tantamount TO saying that the
law is foolishly Draconian. Obviously
there will be an effort TO get the punish
ment reduced to a reasonable proportion.
The contrast is great between this iron grip
OF the law and the lightsome and indiffer-
emit way in which crimes of murder and
robbery In general are dealt with in many
State courts.
One form of yachting the Eastern and
Western States enjoy is impossible On the
Pacific Coast. The ice regattas can only
be held where there are weeks of hard
frost and Ice forms solidly over lakes and
rivers. At one such muster of yachts in
Wisconsin the sport seems to have been
exhilaraung far beyond the ten-knOt
breezes at sea. The speed at times was
estimated at seventy miles an hour. In
California, il one cannot have winter
pastime we at least have outdoor pleasures
approximate TO spring or autumn else
where. HOTseraciDg is an everyday event.
Is there any other instance of a hang
man committing suicide from motives of
compassion than that afforded by Victoria
in Australia? Judging from his name he
is a Welshman, and ike most Cells ne
may be sentimental and possibly super
stitious. But why he should have had
such qualms at the execution of woman
who had made business of numbering
children put out 10 nuIse is passing
strange. The world Is becoming sQueam-
ish, yet cruelty was perhaps never more
ramuanL in s0me very had forms