davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
A SLEEPING COMMISSION.

In an article calling upon the Democratic
members of the Railroad Commission to
explain what steps, if any, they have taken
to fulfill their campaign pledge to make an
average reduction of 25 per cent III the
freight rates of the Southern Pacific Com
pany, the Examiner has struck lead that
it will do well to follow up. The inquiry
is timely to the season and pertinent to
existing conditions. The Commissioners
were elected on that unequivocal pledge.
If they have done anything toward full
hillng it the people would like to know
what it is.
The Commissioners have been in office
seven months and as yet have made public
no evidence of any intention to keep their
pledge. 1t is question whether they
have done anything at all in that direction.
Have they made any examinations of the
data collected by previous boards in order
to provide basis on which to make re-
duction? Have they consulted with any
experts in railroad matters to obtain in
formation for their guidance? Have they
collected evidence from the shippers of
the State giving facts upon which a plan
OF reduction could be consistently based?
Have they examined any OF the books of
the Southern Pacific Company or required
them to show cause why their rates should
not be reduced? Have they, in fact, taken
any step whatever to fulfill their pledges;
or have they even thought of the subject?
Since these Commissioners entered upon
their offices more than half the year has
gone. The time is near at hand for the
moving of the crops, and, in fact, the
movement has begun. What have the
Commissioners done to obtain cheaper
transportation for the crops of the farmers
this year? There is still time, by prompt
action, to save great deal on the handling
of fall crops. Are the Commissioners TAX
ing any steps to do that? Have they any
intention of taking such steps?
The commission has shown considerable
interest in the question of freights carried
by an electric railroad, but we have heard
of no interest taken by it in the freights of
the Southern Pacific. Why have they
dealt SO vigorously with the Haywards
electric road and been so remiss concern
ing the monopoly whose rates they are
pledged to reduce?
There are many questions summed up in
the one question, What have the Conn
missioners done? They are the paid serv
ants of the people, and the people. regard
less of party politics, demand that they
perform their duties
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
WHAT SAYS MIR. IRISH /?
]. NJ HUTCHINGs WRITES TO CRITICIZE YOSEMITE
VALLEY AFFAIRS.

To the Editor of the CaH-SIR: My attention
has just been drawn to some paragraphs III
THE CALLS report of meeting of the executive
committee of the Yosemite Commission on
Wednesday last. On this occasion it would
seem that Mr.. John p Irish-in my absence
and therefore without fear of contradiction
detailed certain myths about my history In the
great valley. and moreover, presumably IN
glowing terms, set forth the danger OF my
future residence there. Mr.. John P. Irish can
not forget that I have had the presumption to
expose his maladministratioa Of the finances
of Yosemite, and the questionable practices
which, under his regime as secretary and treas
urer OF the board for several years, have be be,
come so general and so habitual that 1T VIII
take all the strength and purity of motive
which actuates the present commission 10
bring about any amelioration, and thereby TO
re-eStablish the popularity of the Yosemite
Valley as place of resort and to develop its
incompatible worth in attracting the wealthy
and refined OF all nations to the Golden state.
Fortunately, for the best interests of the val
ley, Mr.. J. P. Irish has no further voice in its
management. During his administration large
sums were voted by the State Legislature-but
where and how they were expended "deponent
saith not.' About the last 'job" under his
direction was the repairing OF two OF my old
buildings, for which the board voted $500,
yet they were made to cost $11 900. The pay
ment OF much OF this sum has been relegated
by him to his successors.
am not surprised that Mr.. J. P. Irish disap-
proves of the unanimous vote OF both branches
of the State Legislature in granting me 10
years lease of my old cabin and orchard. This
transaction will not be as profitable to him as
many others in which he has been engaged.
Nor do expect him to comprehend the senti-
ment shall feel in occupying it.
l believe in the sacred preservation of the
forestry and flora of the valley; in the estab-
lishment and proper care OF the roads and
bridges of the valley; in the opening up of
numerous pathways for pedestrians; and,
above all, in perpetuating as much as possible
the wild sublimity of this unequaled spot.
Those who lovingly develop and preserve its
manifold charms, who honestly and frugally
expend its State appropriations and rents, who
popularize its marvellous attractions, shall
have my unqualified support.
A commission that has begun its new life by
making all It's meetings open to the public,
that has forbidden the pooling OF hotels, that
will deliver the valley from becoming private
stock ranch, need see no danger in nv presence
there. 1t will be the delight and JOY of my
heart to note the good work going on, and be-
come the realization of my fondest though
long-deiayed hopes. ]. M. HUrcHINGs.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

no such thing. Congress will certainly
make close investigation this winter into
the bargain with the syndicate, and Cleve-
land may account himself lucky if he es-
capes impeachment.
1t is not with Cleveland only, however,
that the country will have to settle. He
will be but an Insignificant individual
when his rapidly passing term of office
shall have expired, and it will profit the
country little to pay any further attention
to him. The responsibility which Cleve-
land will lay aside with his office will re.
main with the Democratic party that
elected him and with the gold power in
Wall street that has used him to its own
ends. This fact should be i'm pressed deeply
on the public mind. Next year when the
people will have chance to express them
selves in Presidential election, Cleve
lands personality will hardly be a factor
IN the contest. Democracy and the gold
power, however, will both be strong forces,
though they may not ostensibly be work
ing together. Both of these powers should
be crushed utterly. If they are beaten the
humiliation of the gold syndicate bargain
will rest only on the authors of it, but if
either Of them should win, the humiliation
might become National and be continued
indefinitely.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
THE SYNDICATE AGAIN.

The Morgan, Belmont and Rothschild
syndicate has just paid into the treasury
the sum of 50, 100000 in gold to make up
for the recent expectations of that metal.
This appears to have been something more
than was expected. 1t is only a short
time ago the New York Herald said: 1.-THE
syndicate while continuing to exert its
moral influence against the expectation OF
gold seems no longer willing to incur Pc
cuniary loss and doubtless considers that
the country is now on sufficiently normal
basis to stand an outflow without injury"
1t is evident from the recent payment
into the treasury that the Herald was
mistaken. The golden syndicate does not
consider this country to be on a sufficiently
normal basis to stand alone, even when
backed by the ''moral influence" of Nor
gan, Belmont, Rothschilds and Company.
1t is the opinion of the syndicate that we
need help, and having entered into a con-
tract to give that help for some months
longer, the bankers are sufficiently honest
to stick to it, even though they lose some
OF the $4,000, 900 which they cleaned up on
the original loan of $63,000,000.
Can anything more humiliating to a
p1Ouu pcOpl Dc COuCelNtu tlldli 10
in this transaction? Here is President
of the United States turning away from.
Congress and from the people and entering
into bargain with a syndicate of bankers
to maintain the National credit. 1t is as
if the United States was bankrupt con-
Germ. whose stockholders were unable to
pay assessments and whose President had
to go to the money-lenders and borrow at
high rates Of interest a sufficient sum to
keep it running during his term of office.
The only thing that prevents this from be-
ing a National humiliation is the absurdity
OF it. Every man knows this country is
abundantly able to maintain its credit and
support its Government. There is no hui
initiation in it for the country, therefore,
unless the country should submit to it or
condone it. The country, however, will do
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

were on the road some five days before strik-
ing the next town. During that time you can
imagine the growth of beard and the accumu-
lation of dirt which took possession of me.
"When we arrived, put up at a little hotel
near the theater, and as passed from the Office
to my room an old fellow walked up to me and
said:
"Are you Dixey, the real Dixey%
"'Yes. believe am
"Are you the same Dixey who played in New
York last year.?
"T am
"sWell, I've got a couple of tickets for me
and my wife tonight, and Pm going again to
see you.'
az attempted to excuse myself, so that
could clean up, but he grabbed my arm and
held me back Say Nj. Dixey,' he said, would
you mind having me tell you something. If
you don't, all 1 have got to say is that for
good-looking man on the stage, you are the
dirtiest-looking slaub off the same ever saw.
Now that's right
''There are great many funny things that
happen to an actor who is at all willing to talk
TO most any one who is willing to converse.
When j went to England the people were
dumfounded at the slang expressions we used.
The expressions, Il should smile and Not on
purpose which at that time were very COM
mon, caused the Englishmen to look at US in
made to introduce some new jargon among
them.
zone day young fellow was pouring out
his tale of woe about some difficulty he had
had with q young lady, wherein she refused to
speak to him any more. Finally he turned to
me and inquired whether thought he was not
badly treated. 1 answered.: well, should
smile Whereupon his face colored up and he
burst out with a volley of inquiries as to
whether or not was able to enter into seri-
Gus discussion on any subject and if thought
a fellows griefwas the right thing to smile at.
In about minute he worked himself into such
Il state of excitement that the room wasn't big
enough TO hold him. He wanted to get right
out on the street and fight it out, but was
finally smoothed down by some friends of all
present who explained the situation to him. I
don't think ever saw a man so mad as he was
and as matter of fact / believe he is a little
riled YETI
William r. Castle, the newly appointed Ha-
waiiar Minister to Washington, is rather in
clined to the sedate, and is decided temper
ance man. He is pillar of the missionery
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
A WISE ENDORSEMENT.

The Merchants Association can afford
to forget its contumelious treatment by
the Street Department in view of the very
high Endorsement which it has received
from the Street Committee of the Board
of Supervisors. This committee, in its
report to the board, has recommended that
the specifications prepared by the associa-
ton for cleaning and sprinkling the streets
be adopted, and backs the recommenda-
ton with most excellent reasons. After
complimenting the association on the great
labor, attention and expense WHICH have
characterized its operations, the committee
adds:
at is highly gratifying to find an intel
ligent body of men like the merchants of
the City associating themselves together to
secure by practical and experienced meth
DDS reforms which cannot be gainsaid, and
it is to be hoped that this association
will not limit itself to this sole object,
but will extend its labors and bring about
an intelligent conception of all municipal
business, and suggest such reforms in all
branches of the government as are prac-
ticable. The association and its members
having no personal, selfish or interested
motives, are wholly independent, their
object and action being to advance the
public interests by carrying into the opera
tions of the government the same purpose
and aim so essential to the transaction of
private business"
W. f. Dohrmann, president of the asso-
citation, is gwen particular praise for the
ability and fidelity which have enabled
him successfully to overcome difficulties
and annoyances that would have dis
couraged a less earnest and faithful citizen.
All good citizens are not only pleased TO
see this recognition of valuable services at
the hands of the association, but coincide
with the hope of the committee that "the
association will not limit itself to this sole
object, but will extend its labors and bring
about an intelligent conception of all mu-
nicipal business" and suggest practical
reforms in all branches of the City govern
ment. The association is conspicuously
qualified for this important undertaking.
Besides being composed of earnest, hard
working men who have direct interest
in the City's welfare, it is the last body in
the world that would attract cranks and
adventurers or that could be used directly
or Indirectly for unwise or impracticable
purposes. Its members are eminently
practical and their methods straightfor-
ward and businesslike.
1t is upon just such lines as this-the
organization of practical business men
that the highest results in municipal re-
form are to be reached. The Merchants
Association has already announced that
its function does not cease at street-clean-
ing, but that it will look further and work
fearlessly. We may be sure that it will
keep its word, and that its future successes
will be as bright as its past. A city whose
progress is overburdened with political
knayery and whose public concerns have
been the property of the highest private
bidder needs such a moral influence, such
clear and cool head and such vigorous
hand. This is the birth of civic pride
among US.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
AN EXTENDING MARKET.

That the development of the tourist
industry should prove an important modi-
fer of industrial interests was one OF the
things which economists would hardly
have dreamed of taking into account.
Even casual student might see something
to deplore in the fact that travellers from
rich countries into the poverty stricken
regions of the world, which ages ago
served as birthplace and cradle of civiliz-
alton, were impoverishing their own
countries to the extent of the money which
they thus spent abroad, but none of US
were ready to take into account the posi-
bility of some reactionary industrial good
that might result from the practice. This
in no way concerns the question of mans S
right to spend his money as his fancy die
tates, for that is largely matter of ethics.
We have now to do merely with an Incl
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS.

1t is the habit of certain class of people to
speak disparagingly and with supercilious
accent of the newspapers and to point out their
alleged inferiority to the magazines as sources
of information and entertainment.
For example, says the Lockport Journal,
Robert Grant takes it upon himself to declare
that if he were asked to select what one infiu-
ence moro than another wastes the spare time
OF the modern man he should be inclined to
specify the reading of newspapers
He acknowledges the value of the modern
daily newspaper "as a short cut to knowledge
OF what is happening in two hemispheres;"
but he insists that "the persistent reading of
many newspapers, or the whole of almost any
newspaper, is nearly as detrimental to the
economy of time as the cigarette habit Is to
health"
The st. Louis Democrat says that this
it equivalent, of course, to a condemnation OF
one of our National habits, which is also one of
our supposed signs of intelligence.
The American people are the greatest readers
of newspapers in the world. A large majority
OF them rarely or never read anything else.
They get in that way practically all of their in
formation about the affairs of the universe
and all of the facts upon which they found
their opinions with regard to questions OF duty
and responsibility.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
PERSONAL.

DR.. ] Ulman, a physician OF Baltimore, is at
the Palace.
A. B. Hart, ex-Attorney-General, is at the
Grand Hotel.
Judge Finney of Los Angeles is stopping at
the Occidental.
E. b. Horning, a Marysyille druggist, is at
the Grand Hotel
William Stanton of the Pasadena News is
guest at the Palace.
G. w. Chandler, a lumberman of Santa Cruz,
is at the Grand Hotel.
Captain Matthews a sea captain from British
Columbia, is at the Russ.
Arthur A. Taylor, editor of the Santa Cruz
Serf, was in the City yesterday.
II. A. Preston, a prominent mining man of
Jamestown. is at the Grand Hotel.
DR.. G. w. Wood, medical director of the navy,
is stopping at the California Hotel.
f. A. Bartlett, Port Townsend merchant, is
in town and housed at the California
C. II. Mower and wife, touring the world
from London, are at the Palace Hotel
S. P. Johnson, a civil engineer of Washing
ton, d. c., is @ guest at the Occidental.
f. l.. Erickson railroad contractor from
Guadaloupe. is guest at the Grand Hotel.
Senator E. c. Hart, Sacramento politician.
is down for few days and is at the Grand.
Rev. William Lucas, an Episcopalian minis
ter from Fresno, is guest at the Occidental.
A. P. Dalton, one of the best known mining
men OF Denver, is in town at the Occidental
Hotel.
George A. Wiley, superintendent of the Cook
stock farm at Davisville, is stopping at the
Grand Hotel.
G. NJ. Francis of the Napa Register is up from
the country shifting the editorial air of his
City contemporaries.
b. +. Newcomer, vice-president of the Attain
tic Coast Railroad running from New York to
Florida, is guest at the Occidental Hotel
George Stockard, a member of the Goodyear
RUBBER Company, is stopping at the Palace.
Mr.. stockard has his headquarters at Montreal.
Canada
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
THE PEOPLES ROAD.

1t becomes every day more and more
evident that the construction OF the San
Francisco and San Joaquin Railroad will
be one of the works of which the Califor-
mans of this generation may be justly
proud. Every feature of the enterprise is
gratifying to progressive men. Il has
moved steadily forward from the first.
There has been no step backward; there
has been no delay. Each week and almost
each day from the start has seen some no
table progress made until now it is an
nounced the contractors at Stockton are
ahead of their work and the great enter
prise is going forward even faster than was
promised.
On the 10Th of this month the first grad
ing for the road began at Stockton, and
next Monday bids will be opened for the
second division of grading, which will
carry the roadbed from the city limits to
Stanislaus River, distance of twenty
three miles. 1t is expected that work on
the second division will begin within ten
days, so that before the middle OF next
month the removal of 100000 cubic yards
of earth on the surveyed line will be un
dertaken.
1t will be seen that the promoters of the
line are not allowing any grass to grow
under their feet. There is no trace, taint or
suggestion OF silurian delays, doubts, hesi
tations or fears in the board of directors.
The motto has been progress from the word
"go," and it will be progress to the end.
The rails are here to be laid as soon as the
grading is done. The locomotives are also
here. Rapidly as the work OF construction
is being pushed forward, therefore, it is
none too rapid for the directors. As soon
as the road is laid the company will be
ready to operate it. In fact, so swiftly and
surely. is the work in all departments being
carried on that it will not be long before
the whistles of the trains will be heard in
the valley and the great competitive road
will be a factor in business.
With the establishment OF this competi-
tive system will come the solution of many
of the most serious problems that have
confronted the people of California in the
development of the State. The end of the
monopoly of transportation in the San
Joaquin will be the beginning of the end
of the monopoly throughout California.
What has begun under such favorable con-
dltions and has produced already such
good results is bound to grow. The Valley
road must eventually become a transcon-
tinental system, and monopoly will be at
an end.
One of the most satisfactory features of
the enterprise is that it is an accom- plish-
ment of the people. The San Francisco
and San Joaquin Railroad is only the
official name of what is really the Peoples
road. 1t is an outcome of public demand,
and largely OF popular subscription. Due
honor will always be given to Claus Spreck-
els and other leaders in the enterprise for
their management of its affairs and their
large subscriptions to its stock, but none
the less the people will always regard the
road as essentially q creature or their own
production. Their interest in it is natur-
ally great. and there is reason to believe
the benefits they are to derive from 1t will
be in every way commensurate with their
exnectatiOnS
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Henry E. Dixey, the comedian, tells some
good stories, and most of them are on himself.
81 was in Ohio some years ago when the ac-
commodations on the road were not of the
BEST" said Mr.. Dixey to some friends in the
Palace yesterday, "and found it simply i'm
possible to go from town to town and keep
clean as l would like to. On one occasion we
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

The suit for half million dollars to be
brought against the City and the Spring
Valley Water Company for damages sus-
tanned in the recent great fire by reason
of an inadequate water supply is as much
punishment for past follies as a warming
to avoid them in the future.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

churches, and entertains a warm dislike for
the Democratic administration. He especially
distrusts President Cleveland. There is ques-
tion as to whether he will be accepted in WASH
ington as persona grata.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
THE RACE FOR A MAJORITY.

PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY CON.
TEST AT A GLANCE.
The accompanying engravings illustrate the
London Graphic's method of indicating the
progress of the British elections. The first pair
of ladders shows the standing of the parties on
July 15 when the Conservatives and Unionist
Liberals had total of ninety-six as against
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

fourteen for the Radicals, anti-Parnellitcs,
Parnellites and Independent Labor parties.
The plethoric form of Lord Salisbury is repre-
sented as near the top of the ladder, indicated
by 90, while young Lord Rosebery was strug-
Cling at the foot with only IA to his credit.
On the following day, July 16, the situation
was even worse for the ex-Premier, for while
the Unionist leader had clambered up to III
his opponent had dropped so far down that he
could not be seen on the ladder As If to add
insult to injury, the editor with grim humor
perpetrates at the foot of the first ladder joke
that all Englishmen will enjoy: "We regret that
considerations of space compel us to leave out
Lord Rosebery, who is toiling on 81 rungs
below this point"
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

WARM weather weakens the whole system. 1t
causes loss OF appetite and that tired feeling.
Hoods sarsaparilla, on the other hand, creates
an appetite, tones the stomach and gives new life.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31

The State is still waiting for the counties
to show up for the Atlanta Exposition.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
mrs. wins1ow,s soothing syrup"

b " "IHsIoWs SOOTHING syrup"
has been used over fifty years by millions OF moth
ers ior their children While Teethng with perfect
success 1t soothes the child softeus the gums al
lays Pain, cures Wind Collie, regulates the Bowels
ana is the best remedy for Diarrhnas, whether
arising from teething or other causes. For sale by
druggists In every part of the world. Re sure and
ask ior Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. 25c
hotfla