The record-union., 1896-01-04
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
Expressions of interior California
Newspapers.
Comments Upon Things Local, Gov
ernmental, Practical, Theoret-
ieaI and Current.

Stockton Record: While the Monroe
doctrine has been adhered to by Ameri-
cans, and semi mi-recognized by the great
Powers of Europe for nearly century
it is now apparent to all thinking minds
that the time has come when we must
either enact it's principles into law or
virtually abandon them. While there
is no apparent danger of a conflict of
arms involving the United States COM
ing from the Venezuelan matter, 1t oc-
ours to us that the Monroe doctrine
should have the support of law behind
it. The recent war cloud has developed
the fact that the people of the United
States are almost a unit in favor of sus-
tanning the Monroe doctrine at amy cost.
But there are two sides to this ques-
ton. One is whether, in lieu of a law,
a simple doctrine or principle enunci-
ated by Mr.. Monroe and not being en-
acted into law by our Congress would
give us standing in an international
court. If this question is ever put to
the test, outside of the force of arms, it
must be done before an international
tribunal and one which the United States
would be morally bound.
STAND FIRM.
Riverside Press: It was a Demo-
cratic Administration that surrendered
British Columbia to England after hav-
ing won political success with the cam
paign cry 4.4C or fight" Polk and
Buchanan were engaged in securing
more territory from Mexico, which
they expected to become slave States,
and feared to antagonize England in
the Oregon boundary dispute. 1t is to
be hoped that the present Administra-
tion will stand as firm in protecting it's
rights in Alaska as it has shown a dis
position to do in the Venezuela matter
Had the Oregon dispute been settled as
it should. there would to-day be no
Alaska boundary to defend, for Uncle
Sam would have owned both sides of
the line.
SLIGHTLY INCONSISTENT.
Redlands Citrograph: One of our ex-
changes, that is fond Of telling strong
| stories about green peas, ripe tomatoes
| and luscious red peppers, all gathered
fresh from the trees at Christmas time,
is liable to collide with q massive piece
Of marble heart. In a late number it
tells joyous story of how to go out to
the pond back Of the barn and there in
dulge in the luxury of figure skating!
The young man who INDUCES in the
luxury OF editing the boiler plate of
this enterprising journal ought to edit
his paper, before the outside is printed
or else he may be called to account by a
regular but hypercritical reader
OF STRIKES.
Stockton Record: The strike. which
is now ended, leaves behind it a lesson
worthy of consideration by all labor or
CARNATIONS. The questions at issue out
OF which the strike grew were two: One
was as to wages and hours of work,
while the other was as TO the employees
having the right to belong to a labor or
ganization known as the Amalgamated
Association Of Street Railway En-
ployes. This latter point the strikers
carried; but the other point is still un-
settled, and is left for future adjust
ment. These strikes are very serious
injury to the community generally.
which is not directly interested. The
| business men must necessarily suffer
serious loss, while others suffer proper
tionately, except the strikers, who gem
orally suffer more than any. Labor
must bear in mind that just so long as
there are millions of men unemployed
that their places can be filled, no matter
how long the hours of work and how
low the wages.
We wish to ask the laboring people
who is the Government? Who should
make the laws? Who should make
legislators. Congressman, Governors,
Judges of courts and Presidents? The
only answer can be: The laborers
themselves.
The laborers have an overwhelming
majority of all votes in the United
States, and the only sensible strike for
1aborers to make is at the ballot box IF
municipal ownership of street railroads
would be better for the employees, why
don't they vote for it?
ECONOMY NEEDED.
San Diego Union: The Sacramento
Record Union" has begun a crusade
in behalf of lower taxation in Califor-
mia, and proposes ito thoroughly ex-
plot this whole subject, with view of
ascertaining where salaries are too
high where too low, and where there is
manifest injustice in their grading, and
where State expenditure in other direc-
tions can be curtailed." In furtherance
of its purpose the paper states some
facts which, though well known, are
none the less remarkable. For example
it declares that "the Attorney General
of California receives So, 1000 year, but
the Private Secretary OF the Governor
receives $4,000; the Adjutant- General
| $4,000, and the assistant in the State
Library within $400 as much as the
| chief law officer of California. The
! Commissioner of Labor Statistics is
! salaried as is the Attorney General
| while the Debris Commissioner actu-
ally receives S4G0 more than the law
| officer of the State" The paper also
/ shows that the expenditures of the
! State are being largely decreased, and
/ it argues that it is as impossible ito
| go on decreasing income and maintain
ing high rates of taxation as it is to
continue the injustice of inequalities
| between salaries There is no doubt
that the Record Union" is right in its
main proposition, but the outlook for
| applying the remedy is not very en-
couraging, if one may judge by the
past. The truth is, extravaganza in
the management of State affairs is a
legacy of the flush times that has not
yet been greatly affected by the
changed conditions. Reform is certainly
needed, but it is not likely to be attained
unless public opinion can be aroused in
the matter more generally than has
been the case heretofore.
1T Is NOT NEW LAW.
Riverside Press: An Ohio Judge has
decided that wives are legally response
BILE for the support of their husbands
and their families, provided the hus-
bands themselves are unable to fur