davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
DECEMBER DAWNS.

December dawns to-day and to expect
ant hearts the holidays begin. 1t is true
nearly a month must pass before the
Christmas festival will be with us, but all
the days from this time on will be days of
plans and preparations, and in the pleas
ure these afford many a generous heart
will find almost as much of joy as the
great day itself will bring.
Keeping time with the expectancy OF the
world, many of the shops of the City have
already begun to show forth the glory of
the rapidly approaching holiday. Busy OF
mind or dull of eye must be the man who
in these days can pass the glow and gilt
ter of the windows in the big stores with
out stopping at least for a moment to
gladden. himself with the bright visions OF
innumerable dainty, delicate, desirable
things of luxury, elegance and beauty.
Rare indeed is the flowery field, the gal
lery of art, or even the starry midnight,
more attractive to the eye, more pleasing
to mind or more enticing to the heart
than these same windows of brilliancy,
that disclose so many strange, fair, ex-
quisite things that we do not want.
A thousand bewilderng enticements lay
in the marvels wrought for Christmas fam
cies and imported for our delight from far
lands, but the Californian buying gifts for
Eastern friends pass all these eXotics by
and seek something native to the State.
Such gifts from Californians will be most
appropriate and most welcome. Many an
article which we deem too common for a
Christmas souvenir will in the East have
upon it the glamour of the Far West and
be more thought of than anything their
own shops afford. There will be, there
fore, wisdom, as well as patriotism, in
selecting California products for Eastern
friends. Accept this to-day as a precept
and tomorrow practice it.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
GOOD CITY GOVERNMENT.

The Oakland Enquirer, discussing re-
cent editorial in THE CALL on the superior
government of European cities when COM
pared with that of American cities, gets
close to the main issue when it says, with
reference to municipal assumption of GER
tain public conveniences: "Let the thing
be tried in this country and what is the re-
suit? Generally it is that every new muni-
cipal undertaking will be found to add to
the chances of political corruption" That
is lamentabiy true.
Our contemporary says that instead of
enumerating the industries which Euro
pean municipal governments conduct we
should try to find answers to these oues-
tons: "How are these municipal indus
tries in Europe kept out of politics? How
is it that the Government can run them
really in the interest of the city and not of
the persons employed or seeking to be en-
ployed? How is it that In a European city
the average voter will vote for efficient ad-
mlnistratlon, when as soon as he lands in
an American city he begins voting to give
himself job? Why is the whole atmos-
phere surrounding municipal industries
different in this country from what it is
aDrOau anu lar less conSenlal 10 the sue
cess of those industries?"
This condition cannot be explained
on the score of lower order of
morality and intelligence in Amer
lea. 1t is largely matter of neg
lect of civic duties by the people. Why
this indifference should exist is the mar
vel. 1t enables sharpers and plunderers
to organize, and organization is strength.
The corrupt American political boss is an
institution unknown in Europe and a di-
rect product of Indifference on the part of
the better elements in America.
All sorts of Fictitious remedies are con-
stantly being tried. We have well organ
lied political parties with high principles,
but sometimes, instead of employing these
agencies for the highest good, the better
elements display their lack of wisdom by
organizing independent movements, which
are generally directed by unworthy mo-
tlves and usually result directly or indi-
rectly in the placing of unscrupulous per-
sons in Office. 1t is through regular
political parties that good citizens can best
exert an influence which will secure wise
municipal government.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

father, native of Mexico, who mas maoe
large fortune in the Mexican capital ana aiso
in Paris out of the banking business.
The Count likes hunting and adventure, alio
on this account he has Travelled far ana "iue
and leveled his gun at the biggest game In tne
different sections of the world. Some OF MS
greatest fun was in Africa, where he brought
down koodoos, tigers, zebras and other game,
regardless of consequences.
He has with him q stout-built valet, VINO
wears brown mutton-chop whiskers, and hes
look OF wonder on his face by reason OF his IN
experience of American ways.
The Count says he is having very pleasant
time and may conclude to stay here quite
awhile.
The price of butter has risen lately so that
the better quality in the houses costs from 70
cents to 81 roll. A roll is about two ounces
short of two pounds. The price is making
serious condition of affairs, for 1t was very un-
expected.
dairyman said yesterday:
"The reason has been because of the scarcity
of rain. The grass has been so dry that 1t
wouldn't make butter. The rise was not the
result of any effort to boom the market. The
simple facts are that in many places almost no
butter was to be mad. The present boun tiful
rains, however, will bring out the green grass
in abundance, and no doubt we shall have all
the butter we want and much lower prices"
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

being that of mans intellectual strength
given perfect potency by the addition of a
horses physical superiority, suggests that
the riding of horse represents his most
picturesque and impressive usefulness,
and although horseracing in Europe is
still confined to riding, America has gone
far beyond that primitive conception in
the development of the horses usefulness.
Even yet in England the ''cob' is
cherished institution for drawing the
family vehicle, and it is only within recent
years that good blood has come to be re-
garded as u valuable factor in the produc-
ton of hunting horses. 1t is to America
that the world owes most that is best in
the development of the horse in all the
higher forms of his adaptation to the
needs and demands of modern civilization.
Kentucky first and then California took
up the subject, and to-day California leads
the world
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
NAME THE CANDIDATES.

The professed object of the Civic Fedora
tion in its movement TO organize an inde-
pendent party being to secure an honest
and competent City government, its posi-
tion compels it to bring forth honest and
capable candidates for Office and to set
their personal worth above considerations
of party affiliation. The loftiness of this
position challenges an analysis of its
merits.
1t is not possible to imagine an inde-
pendent ticket that is not composed of
men belonging to old and established po-
litical parties. AS their personal worth
is not hampered by their adhesion to
the principles OF those parties it would not
be enhanced by their desertion-the con-
trary would be the presumption. From
the way in which political matters are
shaping themselves in this City it is evil
dent that the Republican party at least is
shaking off whatever bad influences have
affected its course in the past and is deter
mined to nominate only the best candi-
dates. In any event, it IS too early now to
say that this party cannot be depended on
TO nominate the right kind of men.
If the Civic Federation knows of any
Republicans of the kind whom the City
should elect and who would be willing to
run its clear duty is to suggest their names
and ascertain if the Republican party
would be willing to nominate them. 1t
has no right to assume that the party
would not nominate them and hence that
an independent organization is necessary.
II the Civic Federation desires earnestly to
show that it has only the good OF the City
at heart and wants to avoid the suspicion
that it is not wholly disinterested it will
come out fearlessly and name the men
whom it desires to see elected and give the
Republican party an opportunity to nom-
mate them and throw It's whole power into
the fight to elect them.
Independent political organizations as
sumo very trying position. They adopt
high tone that requires extraordinary
virtue to maintain and that invites sharp
and suspicious scrutiny of their actions.
The body of intelligent and patriotic Re-
pablicans in this City are not prepared to
ignore challenge aimed at their worth or
at the principles which are dear TO them
They believe themselves to be as worthy
and capable as any body of independent
citizens. They are willing and anxious to
do their duty and if a knowledge of that
duty should happen to escape their own
cognizance and be suggested by any patri-
otic and intelligent citizens they will be
found eager to act upon the advice. 1t is
in order for the Civic Federation to inform
them what it desires done
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
THE CAMINETTI ACT.

TREY L. FORD EXPLAINS SOMETHING ABOUT
IT'S OPERATION.
To the Editor of the San Francisco CGtt-S1R:
In your issue of the 18th inst. notice an error
touching the law governing hydraulic mining.
On page 10 of the issue referred to, under the
head of s'Mines and Mining" reference is made
to the Congressional act commonly known as
the Caminetti act, the statement appearing
that prior to the passage of that act "No hy-
draulic mines in the drainage basin OF the San
Joaquin and Sacramento rivers could be legally
worked"
This is q mistake. There never was time
when the hydraulic mines of this State could
not be legally worked. Our Supreme Court
has held in express terms that "the business
of hydraulic mining is not, in ITSELF unlawful
or necessarily injurious to Others" 1t is only
when the business is so conducted as to cause
injury to public or private rights that the law
lnterposes objection.
Even the celebrated Sawyer decision in the
North Bloomfield case recognized this princi-
pie. and the injunction issued in that case was
left subject to modification or dissolution, &C
cording as facilities provided for restrain
ing the debris resulting from the mining
operations OF the defendant. The same court
afterward approved the works constructed by
the North Bloomfield Company, and permitted
it to resume its mining operations by the by.
draulic process. This occurred prior TO the
passage of the Caminetti act.
There were many small mines in the higher
attitudes, where the mining seasons were
short and where the debris was easily and
successfully impounded, that were lawfully
operated without molestation from any source.
The great bulk of the hydraulic mines, how
ever, came under the ban of the Anti-Debris
Association, which secured the issuance of
many injunctions by the courts at Marysville
and Sacramento. These injunctions were not
| issued on the ground that the business OF hy-
draulic mining was unlawful or crimin al in
| its character, but on the sole ground that the
particular mines enjoined were being SO
| operated as to cause material injury to other
| interests.
| The Caminetti act, however, provides for GRIM
| inal proceedings in addition to the civil reme-
dies already allowed by law, and this feature
| of that act caused the owners of the small
mines above referred to TO shut their Eines
down until they could bring themselves within
| the provisions of the Caminetti act, which the
most of them have already done. There was
| an attempt made in the Legislature OF 1887 to
| invest hydraulic mining with criminal char
acter, but the attempt failed and was not re-
newed prior to the passage of the Caminetti
| act.
| THE CALL has acted with such absolute fair.
ness and impartiality in all matters relating to
| our great mining industry that l feel COLI
strained to call attention to the above error
that has inadvertently crept into its columns,
and which error, have noticed, is quite COM
mon, even among those who are otherwise well
informed upon mining matters in general.
Yours very truly, TREY L. FORD.
San Francisco, November 80, 1895.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
INFLUENCE OF THE HORSE,

One cannot contemplate the lively in
terest in horses which the Horse Show and
the creation of the Ingleside racetrack in
dicate without being impelled to seek the
reasons. There is a popular notion tthe
error of which is familiar TO students of
natural history that the horse is creature
of superior intelligence. As matter of
fact he has less common sense than his
humble cousin, the ass; ranks far below
the dog, and is not superior to the cow
Nor can he compare on the score of docilIty
with any of the other domestcated ami
mails. On the contrary he may develop a
dangerous viciousness, and as he becomes
frightened at that which would not dis
turb the serenity of a cow, and which the
superior wisdom of dog would con-
temptuously ignore, the power which the
nature OF his employment gives him for
doing harm is often exercised with dis
astrous results. AS for affection. il is
practically absent from his constitution,
Notwithstanding the popular idea to the
contrary.
But so long as he is deemed both highly
intelligent and possessed of strong affec-
ton, he enjoys on those accounts all the
advantage WHICH WOulO enSue from an
actual possession of those qualities. That
is great deal to start with. The more
substantial elements that recommend him
are his great and varied usefulness, his
prodigious strength and endurance and
his wonderful deetness; these added to his
spirit, grace, beauty and dash, properly
make him king of domestic animals and a
special object of care and admiration.
None of this is misplaced or i'll judged, and
nothing can ever take the place of this
superb creature.
The centaur was a fabulous creature
with the barrel. legs and tail of horse and
the body, arms and head of man. It
was an idea conceived to represent in COM
bined form the wisdom OF man and the
power and swiftness of horse As the
horse was unknown in Mexico at the time
OF the Spanish invasion, Cortez and his
cohorts, mounted on horses and arrayed
IN glittering armor, were thought to be ex-
traordinary creatures Of the centaur type
gods, i'll fact. Before this apparition the
splendid civilization and fine humanity of
the Aztecs trem bled and fell
Although the conception of the centaur,
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
PERSONAL.

Eugene D. Ryan. U. s. N, is at the Baldwin,
James Kenneth of England is at the Palace.
r. G. Barton of Fresno reached here yester-
day.
Y. Wooyeno, a wealthy merchant of Toxic. is
in town.
James g. Ertip, an attorney of Fresno, is in
the City.
Ex-senator B. D. Murphy of San Jose is at
the Palace.
s. NJ. Rice, an attorney of Ukiah, is registered
at the Grand.
II. ]. Basling of Alaska was among yester-
days arrivals.
C. F. Montgomery, proprietor of the Antioch
Ledger, is in town.
DR.. Jessie woodsde of Kansas City Mo-,
Is at the Occidental.
John NJ. Cunningham of Santa Barbara ar
rived here yesterday.
f. Dinkelspiel, business man of Susun, was
in the City yesterday.
Ex-Judge s. 81. Buck, the pioneer of Hum
boldt Bay, is at the Lick.
The Rev. and Mrs. F. G. Van Ryn of Santa
Rosa are at the California.
II. Stelling, one of the leading wheat-dealers
of Davisyille. is at the Russ.
H. A. McCraney, proprietor of the Lakeport
Avalanche, is at the Grand.
G. W. Morgan, lumber manufacturer oi
Duncans Mills, is at the Grand.
L. F. Puter, prominent young attorney of
Eureka, Humboldt County, is at the Grand.
W. Forsyth of Fresno, one OF the best known
raisin growers of California, is at the Occi-
dental
George Van Gorden, the widely known fast.
horse grower OF Pleasanton, is spending Sun
day here.
w. L. Sullivan, manager of tie famous Hag-
gin horse ranch, Sacramento County, is regis
tered at the Russ.
Colonel A. w. Jones. president of the Fresno
and Monterey Railroad, arrived here last night
and is at the Lick.
w. H. Heiliard, an artist OF New York, who
several years ago spent some time in the Yo
semitic, is at the Palace.
Rev. William p. Dye, formerly of THE CALI
staff, and now Catholic curate in the diocese oil
San Luis Obispo is visiting his kinsfolk in this
City.
George H. Preston, prominent attorney oi
Seattle, is e guest of his friend. DR.. Luke Rob-
inson of this City, at his home on Fillmore
street.
E. B. Willis, editor of the Sacramen 10 Record
Union, arrived here yesterday to attend the
meeting OF tne executive Ommltlee OF tne
California Press Association.
Captain Jack Crawford, the poet-scout, will
deliver free lecture at 3 o'clock this afternoon
at the Young Mems Christian Association
rooms. Both ladies and gentlemen are invited
A. C. Stevens returned yesterday from a five
months trip through Canada, Nova Scotia snd
the Eastern States. He was accompanied by
his wife. Their summer months were spent a.
Due Isle, Maine.
James Waldere Kirk of New York, known
among commercial travellers of which he is,
as the king of the Dudes is in the City. Mr.
Kirk carries an extraordinary large assortment
OF clothing, and is credited with changing his
garments five times day.
J. j. Valentine, president of Wells, Fargo &
Co., started yesterday afternoon on southern
trip looking after the interests of the company
Mr.. Valentine will inspect the affairs of the
company at various points as far south as San
Diego and will also visit New Orleans before
his return. He win probably be gone about
two weeks.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

vividly before the minds of millions of voters
the thought that they are citizens of the great
est Republic on earth. l don't think the aver
age New Yorker or San franciscan realizes this
fact He will do so. however, the day candi
date for President is nomina ted in San Fran.
cisco.''
Colonel Shaw enjoys the unique distinction
of having been the only citizen who by cour
tesy was for three days in command of the Pre-
sidio garrison. 1t was in 1875, when the Fourth
United States Artillery was stationed here
The colonel at that time was city editor of THE
CALL, but he was also the recognized leader OF
the movement to educate the National Guard
and the United States army in military marks.
manship. He was one OF the organizers of the
National Rifle Association; the famous range
at Creedmore was named by him, and he ORIG
mated the present method of target-fring in
New Jersey while in command of the Fourth
New Jersey National Guard Regiment When
he came to California in 1872 he organized q
State Rife Association.
From General Schofeld, who was in COM
mand of the Division of the Pacific, he OBJ
tanned leave TO give an exhibition of the work
ings of the Creedmore system at the Preside.
The regular officers, to whom the subject was q
novelty. were very glad to extend him every
facility. Enlisted men were detailed as work
ing parties and trenches were dug, telegraph
lines erected and tents pitched on the range.
For q week before the meeting both officers
and soldiers of the regular army could be seen
out at the Presdio reporting to the newspaper
man for assignments to duty. 1t was all mat
ter OF simple courtesy, but at the time it was
considered quite a departure from military
traditions and customs.
The exhibition was great success. Firing
was carried on from the 200 to the 500 yard
a hy
his staff, was present at the opening day
Many of our crack rife-shooters fired their
maiden shots at that meeting.
Colonel Shaw was the first man to ever get
oil the journalists of San Francisco to sit down
as brothers at one table When Whtelaw Reid
of the New York Tribune came to California to
marry D. o. Mills daughter Shaw proposed
that the newspaper men should give him a
public breakfast. The idea was favored and
Shaw was made chairman of the committee ol
arrangements. About 500 representatives OF
the press attended the affair at the Baldwin
Hotel. The editor of the Bulletin presided
with Whitelaw Reid on his left and Charles de
Young on his right. Up to that time there had
always been much pickering among the pro-
prietors and local newspaper men. but after
the Reid breakfast the newspaper men came
to know each other better and maintained
cordial relations. This was long before the
date of the organization of the San Francisco
Press Club.
One of the striking figures about the Palace
during the last day or two is the Count E
O'Brien, native of Spain, but who has spen,
a good deal of his life III Paris. The Count is
slim built, athletic young man, with a dark
mustache and dark eyes and hair.
He wears a mouse-colored Derby with the
tip OF brown feather sticking out OF the band
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
FOR A FREE MARKET
Petaluma Peialumian.

The San Francisco GALL is making fight for
free market in that City where producers can
without expense offer their products for Sale.
Free markets exist In many Eastern cities, but
the Bay City commission men have kept them
out thus far. THE CALLS efforts should be en-
couraged, for free markets would mean much
10 the small producers of family truck within
radiusof hundred miles of San Francisco.
The effect would be to divide the profits Of the
City commission and middle men between the
producers and consumers, who would then be
brought face to face The consumer would get
MS necessaries a triflc less and the producer
would receive little more than heretofore.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Colonel Henry G. Shaw of the Stockton NJ all
came down to visit the metropolis yesterday.
The colonel is thoroughly up-to-date man in
his profession, though his experience in news.
paper work goes back to the days before the
war.
"I've got my foot on the twentieth century
he remarked gleefully. while chatting in the
Occidental.
"THE CALL has been doing great work in
trying to get the Republican National Convep-
ton to come next year to San Francisco" he
remarked. "It is only question of time.when
some OF the great National parties will mold
their conventions by the Pacific Ocean. The
idea is one that will touch the imagination OF
the American people. For great party to
meet 5000 miles away from the seat of Govern
ment to nominate a President would bring
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
TYPEsETTING BY HAND.
Woodland Reporter.

The course of the San francisco CALL is wor-
thy OF commcndation in its determination to
90 It's typesett;ng by hand for st least year
and half. This will be a good thing for
typos, and will be appreciated by the laboring
classes. THE CALL is rapidly coming TO the
front, and if 1t continues in its present course
IL must soon become the most popular of the
great dailies. 1t has moderation, truthfulness
and cleanliness to commend it, and is pro-
gressiye without being over sensational.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
HALL GAINES STORIES DRAWN
FROM THE BIBLE.
Mcclure,s MAGAZINE for December.

McClure's Magazine for December.
s1 think" Hall Caine says, 'I know my Bible
as few literary men know it. There is no book
in the world like it, and the finest novels ever
written fall short in interest of any one of the
stories 1t tells. Whatever strong situations
are taken from the Bible. THE Deemster' Is
the story of the prodigal son. The Bondman'
is the story OF Esau and Jacob, though in my
seapegoat' is the story of Eli and his sons. but
with Samuel little girl. The Manxman
is the story of David and Ur1ah. My new book
also comes out OF the Bible, from perfectly
startling source
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
CHICAGO LIMITED.
VIA SANTA FE ROUTE.

new train throughout begins October 90
Pullman's finest sleeping-cars vestlbule reclining
chair cars and dining-cars. Los AngeleS to Chi
cago, via Kansas City, without change. Annex
cars on sharp connection for Denver and St
Louis. Twenty-seven hours quicker than the
quickest competing train. The Santa Fe has been
put in fine physical condition and is now the best
transcontinenta railway.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
CAL1FoRN1ANs IN NEW YORK.

NEW YORK, N. Y, Nov. 3O.-Among recent
arrivals are: A. Mcleod, Grand Union; J. H.
Chamberlain, Imperial; A. D. Martin, F. w.
McNear, Mrs. G. w. McNear, Holland; S. Adler,
Coleman; G. Campbell, Union Square; H. Sat-
lift, st. Cloud; Miss Patton, Mrs. E. P. Wilde,
NOrmnudje