New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-29
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
RAIN FALLS AT LAST-POLICE REFORM
-DRAMATTC-PLACER MINING.
fnY rrLxoaApn TO THE TRIBUNE.

fpY TELxGRAPh THE TRIBUNE
San Francisco. April 2S.-After fifty days OF
drouth California farmers rejoced this week
over rain which fell heavily from the upper
San joaquin Valley to the Oregon line. ana hght-
" in the southern counties. The Sacramento
Valley received over an inch OF moisture SUI
6cent to insure good crops in all parts. Rain fell
in the San Joaquin Valley as far south as Fresno.
but it did not exceed quarter of an inch in any
place Further south In this valley the showers
were light. In the extreme southern counties
the rainfall varied from eleven-hundredths or an
inch in Los Angeles to Observation-Disclosures at
Santa Barbara. No rain fell in Riverside or
San Bernardino counties. Along the coast San
Luis Obispo and Monterey report good showers
Wheat and barley on the east side OF the san
Ioaouin Valley were greatly benefited. but crops
on the west side were beyond aid. Throughout
the southern counties grain will be nearly
failure where there Is no irrigation, though fruit
will Weld abundantly. The rain was worth sew
eral million dollars to the State. as besides
saving the grain crop it improved fruit and feed
The wreck Of the Pacific coast steamer Los
Angeles, with its loss Of six lives, caused much
comment here this week The vessel was run
on the rocks on a moonlight night and the only
excuse the officer In charge gave was that he
lfeboats showed neither nor skill; the cap
tain had little control over his crew. and though
he stayed with the vessel to the last, six lives
were needessly sacrificed Only the good fortune
Of Gains and the nearness to the shore prevented
A terrible loss Of life. The vessel Itself was
old and not fit for passenger traffic. 1t was one
Of three boats condemned by the Government
over twenty years ago and bought by the thrifty
steamship company.
The settlement Of the famous Blythe contest is
n good thing for this city as It will open TO I'M
provement one Of the best blocks on Market-st.
The most valuable part Of the estate. which goes
entirely to young Florence. the natural daugh-
ter Of the old millionaire is the triangular block
bounded by Market Geary and Grant ayes. This
Is now covered with ramshackle buildings that
are an eyesore. This property is worth $4,000 a
front foot. and the heiress Will probably cover it
with a fine Office building. If she save enough
out Of the estate Her lawyers and the syndi ate
Of Spectators who advanced money to pay the
expenses Of the long litigation claim at least one
half Of the $4,000 900 which old Blythe left.
The sudden discharge Of fourteen policemen
this week created a great local sensation. but
IT is noteworthy simply proof that Chief
Crowley has at las. adopted the sensible policy
81 employing detectives from other cities 70
cure Information II the efficiency OF his force
Among those who are dropped are three SER
geants and two detectives who have spent years
in the Chinatown district. X has been we'll
known that over six hundred Chinese lottery
games and several score y gambling dens have
been running In Chinatown for months, but Chief
Cr0wlpy's special officers reported that all
places ~ this character were closed. Finally the
CHIEF hired two Pinkerton detectives TO AID him.
and the result has been the wholesale discharge
~ corrupt policemen who have taken hush
money from the Chinese. The next reform ought
20 be- In the police courts which are VIGOROUSLY
corrupt.
The opening for sale of a large amount OF rail
road land r this State end Nevada by the Pa
cinr Improvement Company VIII furnish good
opportunities for small purchasers, as no favorit-
ism Will be allowed ana interest will be per
cent. The aim Of the company Will he 10 en-
courage small farmers 10 improve their pur-
chases. Next week VIII probably see n reduction
In the Pacific Improvement Companys force OF
employees much Of the business OF this COM !
pany has been transferred to the land depart |
ment OF the southern Pacific. which is under |
ports ~ land on this coast.
Modjeska made a hit this week in "Magda" at
the Baldwin. Sh had not appeared here for |
several years. and sh" vas warmly received
Sandow has drawn poor houses at the Vienna |
Prator in the Mdwinter Fair and It is doubtful |
whether he will continue the engagement much |
longer. He could pack any theatre In town. but |
patronage AT the Fair is injured by the tedious |
trip to and from the grounds at night
The strange DISAPPEARANCE Of an old ranChman. |
Wootton from his hon, in the Fresno foothills Is |
still unexplained but the authorities are piling |
up evidence against Professor Sanders who is |
under arrest for numbering his friend. Sanders |
was last seen with the missing man. and his |
stories ~ the disappearance are conflicting and |
improbable. The facts appear show thai |
Sanders killed Wootton for his money he |
holds deeds 10 the greater part Of the missing |
mans property. which experts claim are for |
Gerics. No criminal mystery in California since |
the shooting Of Editor McWhirter has aroused |
- much interest this
Reports from placer dggngs on the Mojave |
Desert show that the mines are paying !
fairly well. though no large strikes are reported. |
TIL" with which prospecting Is being con-
Quoted in all parts OF California this year can |
not fail 10 add largely 10 the gold Yield Many
old mines that were abandoned years ago have |
been recently reopencd. and are paying good re-
turns. The hard times have made miners con- |
tented with modest gains that they scorned in
the old days