The record-union., 1894-12-11
TOakIand Times 7

LOdkianU Times.
:, NOT little of the growing tendency of
the people all over the country TO take
their politics with an independent air
must be attributed to the influence of the
australian ballot. Indeed, it is probable
lnaI the new system of voting, in the
comparatively few years that il has been
III lorce, has done more for independent
Votlng than all the years of agitation and
an the clubs that were formed to promote
ihdependent political action in the years
before. Or, rather, it provided the means
LOT gathering in the rich harvest which
they mad prepared. The American citi-
zen Is just beginning to get used to the
privilege OF voting exactly as he pleases
not only without the dictation, but with
out the knowledge of anyone else in the
world, and he likes il. What wonder that
he kicks up his heels bit, and shows
1rlSklIy what ne can do when he takes the
bit between his teeth? OF all the reforms
wrought by the Australian ballot, none
can compare with the sense OF freedom
and independence given to the voter, who
can now express his honest convictions
at the polls and nobody be any the wiser
we have only begun to appreciate the
transformations that this is certain to
elect III American politics.
MAKE THE TRAMPs WORK.
[Stockton Independent.
Numerous papers are advocating the
utilization OF tramp labor in improving
the roads. There is wisdom in the sug-
gestlon. The tramp has to be supported
Dy the public and should pay Tor his
keep. Ii tramps were arrested and COM
PEELED TO labor on road improvements
TWO good results would follow. The
roads would be made easier for them to
travel and they would, after one or two
seasons OF labor, leave a country where
they were compelled to smooth their
own pathway. There is another way in
which tralnps might be made to earn
their living. In some localities they
might be employed in making brick, as
some are obliged to DO in Chicago's
Bridewell. The tramp nuisance is in
cfeaslng at rate that calls tor prompt
anu even severe measures for its abate-
ment, and the means should be made at
least selt-Supporting. TO the objection
that 1t would be degrading to imprison
men ana make them work on the public
roads Tor no other offense than being
poor ii can be answered that imprisou-
inent Is no more degrading than beggary.
20 burden Of supporting tramps now
la!is unequally Oh the weak hearted, the
wiling and the victims from whom the
tramps steal. If they were promptly ar
rested and made TO work the expense of
supporting them, over the value of their
work, would be borne equally by all.
prohtaDle or not is not of the first import
ance. The question is how to be rid of
Ihe tramp evil, and any humane expert
ment should be tried rather than TO let
the eVll Continue and grow.
THE ARID AREA.
Los Angeles Times.
1t is estimated that about one-third of
the area of the United States is deficient
III the amount of rainfall necessary for
the ordinary crops. This arid area ag-
gregates over l,250, 900 square miles, and
embraces the most productive portion of
the habitable globe. 1t is time that sys-
tematic and intelligently directed efforts
were made looking to the reclamation of
these vast areas of>arid land, which re-
Quire only the magic touch of water to
transform them into the richest and most
productive regions of the earth. There
is water enough, and more than enough,
going to waste every year to accomplish
the desired results. All that IS needed is
that this water be held back from waste,
and diverted to places where it will do
the most good. No economic or political
question before the people exceeds this
one in importance.