New-York tribune., 1894-01-07
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND POLITICS - THE
MIDWiNTER FAIR-THEATRICAL-
PROTECTION FOR THE
SALMON INDUSTRY.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. J

fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRlBryE.)
San Francisco JAN 6.-IIow the public school
system of San Francisco has been made an
adjunct of ward politics was shown this week by
the publication of an affidavit, in which an ex-
School Director charges two local bosses, Grim
minis and Kelly, with bribery in order to secure
his vote for their candidate for president Of the
Board of Education. Daniel Sewall, the maker
Of this affidavit. arrested four years ago
for making indecent photographs. He was
promised that his case would be fixed If he
would vote for John |. Sabin, the bosses candi-
date for head of the School Board. He agreed
to vote that way. and his case was dismissed by
Police Judge Rex This affidavit is published at
this late day because of quarrel between two
School Directors. The Grand jury will con-
slider the matter next Monday. and it is prob
able that some warrants will be issued. San
Francisco has good public schools. but the fact
that political bosses have had the naming of
School Directors. and even school teachers. has
long been an offence to real friends of education,
and 1t is hoped that this exposure may break
up vicious system. which saddles the depart
ment with incompetent teachers and greatly
increases the cost of the schools.
There is much anxiety in the big Southern
Pacific Company building over the approaching
visit Of President c. p. Huntington. The rail-
ing changes. which included even the general
managers place. These have been emphatic
ally denied both here and in New-York. but
these denials have not alayed the uneasiness.
as ii is known that the rumors have a large
basis of truth. Another thing which has caused
great excitement is the heavy reduction of the
free-pass system. Certain newspaper men sold
or loaned their passes, and the result is that this
new year. unless a journalist can show good
ground for favors he will have to pay his rail-
road fare.
The informal opening of the Midwinter Fair
on New Years Day drew a large crowd, though
the air was raw and the mud was deep on the
Exposition grounds This week the sky has been
bright but the mercury has ranged in the
fortes with keen north and east winds. 1t has
been exceptionally cold for san Francisco. since
frost is seldom seen here January Is usually
the worst winter month. so that the weather
prophets predict sunshine and bainy ar LOT
February. which will really be the nrst month
of the Fair The buildings are rapidly approach
ing completion. and exhibits are being Installed.
All the theatres are feeling severely the finan-
cial stringency well as the coming opening
of the Midwnter Fair So good spectacle as
sSipbad" at the Grand Opera has made very
little money for David Henderson. despite the
large audiences. because the receipts were con
sumed by expenses of the big company and the
enormous railroad charges for transportation or
the company baggage and scenery The Palmer
stock company. which opened the BALDWIN
Christmas night with Lady Windermere's Fan.
has played to poor business. although the critics
praised the performance, which is really one
Df the best seen here In many months. The ohIy
lhing that draws is the variety show AT cut
rates likewise Fanny Rice and "A Trip 20 emma
town" II the present bad business continues
several more theatres will be forced TO close.
Several hundred Of the unemployed secured
work this week grading roads in Golden Gate
pa rk at 81 a day. The men worked WE'LL ana
were very grateful for the chance 10 earn money
as many had been idle for three months.
Theodore Wores the California artist. who has
-ained fame by his japanese paintings, arrived
this week from q fifteen months stay IN the
Orient He brings with him l30 pictures OF Jap
onese life which he proposes 10 exhibit IN New
york and London. He made a special study OF the
duass worn by the people at various seasons. and
An nearly every picture is some detail or char-
acteristic flower that marks the PERIOD OF the
year Wores thinks Japan is rapidly becoming
anoiled by the general adoption among the a,is.
~ rsopv will soon supplant the chrysanthemum
as the fashionable flower among Europeans
vtscourt De Benghem, young SWISS Oh
,.rre means was robbed this week or s4oV by
toosnads in Golden Gate Park. The Viscount mas
s,,st arriyed from FL Paso. where he spent siN
1,,nnths as a private soldier He enlisted IN oruel
"a get facts for book which ne Is wr'ohs q"
tho American s''N'""
,,,r.,u Ia congress is being circulated
.s<,,., nrotection for the salmon industry oi
shis Coast and especially OF Alaska Ihoueh
sha output In twelve years has anouh'eu W
noo mn cases valued at S16.OoO.0oo' YET many
xYs.ka canneries last season were nara pressed
e. cet sufIicient Ash. The reason Is that al 'ne
,eii " Alaskan streams, up which the salmon go
xsn" ~ sn.yn are guarded with fish racks. nets ana
~ o.r s Taviccs for stopping the salmon CniesS