The record-union., 1894-01-17
THE GOOD OLD TIMES.
The Los Angeles Times has discovered
4 remedy for hard times-it is to bring
back the good old times.n It says:


aremedy for hard times-it is to "bring
back the good old times" 1t says:
Great cities are well enough, but they must
not be permitted TO growat the expense OF the
outlying country. The present is no time Tor
the young men OF rural districts to "try their
fortunes in the city, for these centers OF life
are thronged with the unemployed, and char-
ity Is taxed TO the utmost to keep the souls
and bodies of her unemployed together
The farmers boys should stay at home
and stif1e their longings for the life OF the
metropolis. The old home farm Will al least
furnish the means OF subsistence, and there is
no danger of starvation. The present IS no
time TO strike out into new paths with the
hope of winning success in new and untried
fields. Subdue the soil. plant your crops, and
build your homes amid familiar surround
ings, instead of joining the city's great strug-
Cling army, who are fighting day by day Tor
subsistence.
Yes. stop the drift to the congested
population centers. But, bless your soul,
friend, you preach trite truths. Who
will bell the cat? Merely advising the
youth of the day to take to land instead
town will effect nothing.
No, we must first break up large
land-holdings; abandon land monopoly;
offer lands cheaply and on terms that the
men of small means can afford TO occupy
the lands. Next, we must improve rural
conditions and make the agricultural
home-life inviting. Just how all this is
to be done is clear enough. Unfortu-
nately human selfishness stands in the
way. That must be met and conquered,
and it may be.
The RECoRD-UNIoN has repeatedly
pointed out the ways and means by
which these ends may be attained.
While the town has been advancing,
multiplying its attractions and comforts,
the agricultural section has been doing
little to retain its youth and attach them
to agricultural pursuits.
The subject is too broad for treatment
with brevity; it outlines a task than
which none nobler or that more concerns
the welfare of humanity can engage the
best there is of human wisdom and human
energy.
GOVERNOR MITCHELL of Florida de-
serves the applause of all right-thinking
people. He says that Florida is small
State, but it shall not be made the prize
pit for people from other States to have
their bruising matches in. He denies
that the militia has refused to do its duty,
but says that he is prepared for even that.
The Corbett-Mitchell contest is to be a
prize-fight. no matter what else it may be
called; but the Governor declares that 1t
is enough for him to know that it is
to be illegal it is his duty to enforce
the laws, and he will do it despite the
threat and bluster of the Duval Athletic
Club. True, the bruisers could sneak off
into the woods and have it out before they
could be intercepted, but there is little
likelihood of their doing so, because there
is no money in that sort of thing. Gov
ernor Mitchell is described as a man
whose appearance and bearing impress
one with the conviction that he means all
he says, and performs what his duty COM
mands with fearlessness and irresistible
vigor. Perhaps not before in the history
of any American State has there been
such open and shameless defiance of the
law against prize-ighting as that mani
tested in the Florida case. The effrontery
of the officers of the Duval Club is some
thing unparalleled. 1t puts to the test
souaralv the poWer of the executive of
the State to enforce the laws against the
impudent declaration of the lawless that
the statutes of the State shall be outraged,
If it turns out that the law-breakers are
successful, that the executive and the
peace officers are unable to enforce the
laws, it will be humiliation from which
the people of Florida will be long in re-
covering.