The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-02
IDEAS OF WESTERN EDITORS.
California.

Our series of State school-books could be
made model for the entire Union if we had
the right kind of men to compile them, and 1T
is to the interest of every paper in the State to
take up this matter and agitate it until the
powers that be-probably the State Board OF
Education-are compelled to pay attention to
the demand and engage new and better men
for the work. God knows they could get few
worse, and bralny men who can and would 90
the work properly are by no means either
scarce or high-priced. Stockton Record.
In the State of New York the question of good
roads is receiving earnest attention, and the
probabilities are that at the next session of the
Legislature definite plan will be formulated
for the scientific improvement of the roads
throughout that State In other Eastern States
take definite shape. California is a long way
In the rear OF the procession in this matter,
when it ought to be at the head. 1t is time for
California to "get move on ltself."-LoS
Angeles Times.
We have always been opposed to the jury
system which requires unanimous verdict to
convict in a criminal case. One or two corrupt
or mu1ish jurors is only too frequently the
means by which red-handed murderer escapes
just The verdict in the Marshall case is
striking instance of this fault, and confirms us
in the belief that the system must be changed
to serve the best interests OF society.-Dixon
Tribune.
Los Angeles is already making preparations
for their annual fiesta next April. The great
success of that section of the State is attribut-
able to the fact that instead of forever talking
about doing something, they do tired Bluff
Sentinel.
Washington.
1t is still being urged by the detraetors of
Whitman that he did little more than dozen
others who came to the Northwest coast con-
temporaneously with the Waiiailatpu mission
band. "If he had never made that midwinter
ride" they say, "and if he had not been mas
sacred by his own Indians, no more attention
would now be paid his memory than is paid
to the memories of the Lees, OF Eells, of Spald-
ing and OF Cushing" In other words, if he
had not distinguished himself if he had not
done those very things which have given him
fame and which the people love to read about,
he would not stand out SO consplcuously. 1t
S was the doing OF these things which caused
his associates to bear living testimony TO his
superiority and his greatneSs.-SpokaneSp okes-
man-Reyiew.
If we are to be nation among nations, our
coast must be adequately defended. This will
necessitate ships upon the sea, Notifications
upon the land and great increase in our
army and navy. But we must either have
these or cease to pretend to be a great power.
The people are not content to take the latter
position Great problems-problems vital to
this country-will in the next quarter of a Gen.
tury be worked out in Asia and South America,
them with strong hand. Therefore, Congress
will not do wisely If it prolong this matter OF
coast defense unnecessarily .-Seattle Times.
Oregon.
Mexico was quick to shake off a potentate
thrust upon her by Austria and France; Brazil
has hidden farewell to her Portuguese royal
family, and it may be that Alfonso XIII will
prove the last Spanish sovereign to support his
central government with taxes wrung from his
most productive and most misruled province
Portland Oregonian.