New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-17
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
MUNICIPAL REFORM DON
AIDS TRIAL-FAIR'S WHEAT DEAL.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl


q San Francisco Feb. 1.-THE prospect or any
municipal reform is not bright. The Legislature
lis composed largely Of men who represent po-
ltical and corporate interests that dread any in
oury and every influence is being brought to
hear to prevent a repetition here Of the LeXoW
inquiry Both parties united on this. for the
Democrats fear an investigation in san frah-
cisco Of methods that resulted In the eIecu0h OF
Governor Budd fully as much as RepuDhcah
ward leaders fear exposure OF the stufnng OF
precinct registers. No inquiry has been mace
into the responsibility OF the men who hired
Sternberg and Coher. the convicted "stuners'
and there is no hope of such investigation. uh-
less the Grand Jury takes up the matter Mean
while Mayor Sutro is scoldng the supervisors
like an angry fishwife and ringing changes on
his anti-monopoy cry. which Is regarded as OF
small value. since he failed TO subscribe any
imoney to the completing Of the San Joaquin
Valley Railroad Mayor sutro has evidently
made a study OF Cato. for he ends every speech
with the declaration that the railroad octopus
must be killed.
The court sensation OF the week has been fur
nished by the trial of the banker Dick Nc
Donald. for forgery and perjury In connection
with the wrecking Of the Pacific Bank ana the
Home Savings Bank. The prosecution showed
clearly that Mcdonald signed false statements 70
deceive the Bank Commissioners, and that ne IN
duced four men to deposit their checks Tor *i"o'-
ooo each lust before the official examination. and
nermitted them TO withdraw this paper WITHIN
three days after. The only defence is that NC
Donald has been insane and mentally ana
morally irresponsible for several years ana that
he cannot be held legally accountable for his
actions His relatives all testified that he had
heen a. crank for years. and had no common-sense
Tor business Judgment. Yet his shrewd old rather
pIaced his son In charge OF millions. Those VINO
have had business relations with Mcdonald knew
he was vain volatile and easily influenced ouS
they knew also that he was shrewd, cunning
and utterly 1nscrupuous gambler py 'e',
permanent and that Tor years ne ysrv s,,c.
cessfully. 1t was only the financial strihse"c'
that brought him TO ruin.
After passing thes State Assembly the bill
,granting suffrage TO women In California was
KILLED in the Senate Judiciary Committee be-
cause 1t was unconstitutional. The State Con-
,etitution confines suffrage strictly TO male
citizens that there can be no question OF IT'S
meaning Hence this attempt OF the women was
absurd What must be done, before any Suffrage
bill can be seriously considered. Is to pass con-
fetitutional amendment striking out the word
male In the section that defines the right OF
suffrage The most sensible proposition yet sug-
eested Is TO have women vote on the question
whether they desire SURFACE
The Southern Pacific Company this week nave
added TO their rolling stock the two largest loco
irootives in the country. They were made at
Gcbenectady from special designs and one Is In
tended for work in the sierras and the other for
rho Tehachapi Mountains on the Southern line;
,rhe company wish to ascertain tne size anu
stvle nj locomotive which Will comone the great
eat amount of power and speed with least con-
sumntion OF fuel The fuel question Is far more
important here than at the East because Oh the
high price Of coal.
The attorney. Mr. Lloyd. who represents MT MI.
oslrichs and Miss Virginia Fair tried vainIy TINS
~eek to get at the facts in regard to the Iate
senator Fairs big wheat deal In which ne was
reported TO have dropped several millions 1ns