New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-03
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
THE STOLEN WTLL-PROPOSED SAN JOA-
QUIN VALLEY ROAD-THEATRICAL
AND PERSONAL
rBY TESEGRAPR TO THE TRIBUNE.l

San Francisco, Feb. THE theft OF the million
aire Fairs will. taken with the demonstration
that the chief deputy-sherin OF the city
guilty of furnishing information to professional
jury-fxer in the Mcdonald case. has given the
community severe shock. as II shows that two
important offices may be tempered with when
fortunes are involved The stealing OF Fairs
will could only benefit those who fear that GER
tain alleged defects in the document may invali
date it. 1t is an rreparable loss TO the three
children should the thief who stole IT destroy the
instrument. as no photographs were taken Of the
original will. The lawyers for the three children
Gave been very frank in admitting the value of
the document TO them as its genuineness hinged
upon the quality OF paper used II 1t can be-
established that the first five sheets of the viii
were written paper essentially different from
that used for the remaining three sheets. ana
that these first five sheets were all the pc
culiar disinheritng clauses, then strong case
will be made against the validity Of the docu-
ment What puzzles every who knew Fair
well is that he should have left the manage
ment of his vast estate TO in whom he
placed no special confidence during life. he
did not even intrust them with any of his busI
ness secrets. Not one Of the four executors
knew he was selected for this important trust
II the will DE genuine. IL argues that Senator
Fair suffered great change In his methods dur
ing his last days.
There was considerable enthusiasm here this
week among those who are booming the new
San JOAQUIN Valley Railroad project. Claus
Spreckes and his started the list with
500 600 and the fund has increased rapidly by
contributions ranging from $50 900 to $1,000. until
1t Is expected that by tomorrow a round sl,75O,-
900 will be raised The $50 600 subscribers are
Alvinza Hayward and W. +. Whittier, capital
lists. and the Parrott estate the Hobart estate
and the San Francisco Savings Union The daily
subscriptions now amount TO about 100000 Mr..
Spreckels disclams any desire to the new
railroad project a club to secure better rates
sugar from the Southern Pacific Company.
sources of information Is that the Valley road
has got away from Mr. spreckels. He never
counted on so much enthusiasm SO many
subscriptions from men who can only AFFORD to
give $1,000 or less. There is question Of the
value OF the road to San Francisco 1t
will do for the San Joaquin Valley and this city
what the Atchison did for Los Angeles and the
whole OF Southern California. establish healthy
competition, which is the life OF railroad bust
ness as 1t is Of general trade. There 10 ample
business in this great California valley for two
bie railroads. and the result will be a great
development OF thousands OF fertlie acres which
are now unproductive.
A vigorous attempt will be made next week In
the Lower House Of the State Legislature 10 pass
the bill giving the right Of franchise to women.
Caovernor Budd strongly favors the bill. and the
preliminary ~skirmshes revealed 80 many IN
favor of the measure that the prospect 10 bright
Tor IL. It IL doubtful. however. whether ma