davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
OAKLAND'S FREE MARKET.

The people OF Oakland, inspired by the
earnest movement to secure a free market
in this City, are agitating the question of
such an institution on that side of the bay.
The Oakland Enquirer has exploded the
idea that Oakland really has a free market
and shows how the institution at present
there interferes with the legitimate busi-
ness of the city. a good many years ago
the Council passed an ordinance permit
ting hucksteTs to sell from carts on Lower
Broadway, with the reservation that the
carts should not block the street. Through
some official mismanagement not ex-
planned by our contemporary the traffic
in the street was so seriously impeded by
the carts that the ordinance was rescinded,
and so the free market perished.
Then there appeared on the scene
thrifty citizen who leased vacant block
in the vicinity, built some sheds and let
stalls to the hucksters at a small but
highly profitable rental. lie has been
doing handsome business ever since. but
the situation is inconvenient, and the
growers have to pay for the privilege.
Hence Oakland has no free market and
does not enjoy the benefits of one.
The movement in San Francisco is
slowly taking shape. but nothing definite
has been as yet formulated. An elaborate
suggestion to the Harbor Commissioners
from the fruit-growers of Campbell. in
Santa Clara County, contemplates such a
surveillance by the commission as is not
provided for in the law defining its duties.
Nevertheless the ideas are good, and
might serve as suggestion to the Legis-
lature. tcoutemplates a strict regulation
of sellers in the interest of honest dealing
and for the protection of purchasers.
The peddlers who cry fruits and vegeta-
bles from house to house in the City sorely
try the patience of many residents, for
even the disfiguring sign, No Peddlers," I"
does not prove safeguard against all in
vaders. The police have just announced
their belief that numerous burglaries re-
Gently committed in the Western Addition
were the work. of professional burglars
taking advantage of the freedom permitted
to peddlers. This has become a serious
menace, and requires correction. To what
extent free market would cure the evil
would have to be determined by expert
ence, but the fact remains that the ped
dlers are not growers and that they antag-
oniZe the interests both OF growers and
commission merchants.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
AN INGENIOUS SAFEGUARD.

George A. Fleming, fruit grower of
Visalia, has devised so ingenious, simple
and efficacious scheme for protecting
orchards from frost that it should be
known as widely as possible. 1t should be
borne in mind that frost occurs only when
the air is still. Hence fires built around
an orchard will send their heat and vapors
straight up into the air, while building
them among the trees would be dangerous.
Mr.. Fleming, after various experiments
hit on the following plan. He thus de-
scribes it: 1--WE built wire frames on our
low truck wagons, stretching them from
four wagon stakes and heaping wet
manure over them. Dirt was thrown on
the wagon-beds to protect them, and pots
of burning tar were set underneath the
straw roof. A barrel of water on the
wagon was used to keep the straw wet.
These wagons were driven about and did
the best work, as they could go wherever
most needed. The smoke and vapor were
carried to the rear as the wagon moved,
and, being at once out of the rising heat.
fell close to the ground in long white
trail. AT daylight our whole 400 acres of
orchard was covered with white fog ex-
tending from the ground about twenty
feet high
That seems to be perfect solution of
the problem. The wagons may be driven
among the trees or anywhere else, and the
blanket of vapor left behind is sure pro-
lection against frost. The idea is econom-
ical, the question of fuel being one that
every grower can answer for himself.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12

State, bond should be given for the pro-
lection of buyers and certificate author
izing the company to do business should
be issued. In addition the company
should be required to file copies of all con-
tracts of sales made with purchasers and
to report the exact condition of business
at stated times. No colony should be GER
titled unless it owns q clear and undis-
puted title to the land and means should
be provided for recovery by the settlers in
case of Misrepresentation or damage.
The earlier colonies of the State, particu-
larly those in Fresno County, were
honestly projected and have produced the
most gratifying results. The colony idea
is the best imaginabl for inducing settlers
from the East, and as it is the one plan
that offers the strongest inducements to
persons OF small means, it should be sur
rounded with every possible safeguard.
There are many honest new colonies in the
State, but how is stranger to distinguish
between them and the others? 1t is the
duty which the State owes itself to assume
supervision of the practice.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
PERSONAL.

J. B. Porter, business man of Salinas, is in
town.
R. Rowlands, mining man of Placerville, is
in town.
DR.. w. B. Sherman of Manchester, Iowa, is at
the Palace.
N. B. Graham, a business man of Seattle. is
in the City.
George H. Bell, mining man of Carson, has
arrived here.
Charles B. Devereaux OF Portland is at the
Cosmopolitan.
J. H. Lesher. a prominent attorney of
Chicago, is in town.
Charles E. swezy, a merchant of Marysville,
arrived here yesterday.
L. R. Wing, a member of the Chicago Board
OF Trade, is at the Palace.
David Starr Jordan, president of Stanford
University, is at the Occidental.
DR.. L. C. McKinnon OF Stockton is a guest at
the Cosmopolitan, accompanied by his wife.
Ii. L. Herznger, editor of the Ukiah Herald.
is in the City. He reports that Mendocino
County is prosperous.
D. S. Parke, who has for some time been at
Apia and other places in Samoa is here, ac.
companied by his daughter.
DR.. 7. A. Rottanzi has returned from a two
weeks sojourn in the Eel River country, about
which he is very enthusiastic.
J. L. Robinette, one of the proprietors of the
California Odd Fellow, published at Sacrs.
mento, was in the City yesterday.
About twenty-five Raymond and Whitcomb
excurslonlsts, who have been seeing different
parts OF the State. are ut the Palace.
Judge w. T. Arteny of Walla Walla, who was
Justice OF the Peace and Police Judge in tha t
city, Is registered at the Cosmopolitan.
Charles Erickson, the railroad builder OF San
Luis Obispo, who has been at work for the
southern Pacific Company, is at the Grand
Joseph Ladue, one or the pioneers of the
1uKon River who has been engaged in
mining and trading for many years, is on visit
fere.
W. J. Thompson, who for several years was
president OF one of the banks of Tacoma and
who was largely interested in lands and In
various enterprises, is in the City.
John Scowcroft, one of the heaviest mer-
chants or Ogden, who has been there a num-
Der OF years and who is well known throughout
Utah. is here on one of his semi-annual busi-
ness trips.
senator William Johnson OF Courtland, who
is one of the Commissioners on California
rivers and harbors, arrived here yesterday
from Washington, where he has been for about
month past.
Senator j. NJ. Gleaves of Redding who has
been at Washington, d. c.. in reference to i'm
provements on the California rivers and har-
bors, is at the Grand, accompanied by DR.. c. C.
Gleaves of Redding.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
GOLD MINING IN CALIFORNIA

The question of bimetallism or free
coinage of silver apart, it cannot escape the
attention of any student of the monetary
situation that there Is renaissance of gold
mining in California which promises not
only remarkable but almost marvellous re-
suits. 1t is an old saying but true one,
that only the surface of the ground has
been scratched over in California, and that
placer claims which seemed to have been
worked out with pick, shovel and rocker
are now known to be only surface indica-
tions of deposits of auriferous ore beneath
the surface which can be developed only by
patient research and the employment of
scientific methods.
1t is idle to make predic tions as to the
output of gold for the current year, but it
is permissible to make surmises and con-
lectures based on developments already
made and the actual work that is beng
d one, and, with this as basis, it is within
tn bounds of reason and probability to say
tina. California within the year 1896 will
add to the worlds store of gold from
$50, 0n0 to $50, ,000, 600. 1t must be borne
in mind at all times that there are hun
dreds OF gold mines held in private owner
put, and so closely is the secret kert that
even the summary made yearly by Wells,
Fargo & Co. does not include the work of
these private holdings.
English papers and reviews have madea
great potter about South African gold
mines, promising all sorts OF dividends
and profits to those who have invested
their money on the advice of Barnato and
his friends and allies; but when the bal
ance sheet is made up at the end of the
present year no one need be surprised to
see California resume her former position
as the great gold-producing section of the
world, and that, too, in spite of the Won
derful discoveries and Developments in
Colorado. The mountains, hills, valleys
and gorges of the Sierra Nevada and Coast
Range are in reality almost an undiscov-
cred country. and, with the aid of modern
and cheap processes of extraction and re-
duction, gold-bearing ore can be worked at
a profit which few years ago would have
been pitched on to the waste dun or used
in crude way as macadam. We may
look with confidence for the year 1896 to be
a banner year for gold mining in Califor-
mia, and to recall the traditions of the ''fall
of '49 and the spring of '50.'
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
UNPLEDGED DELEGATES.

Presidential politics this year means Re
publican politics. 1t is almost hteraily
true that at this time there are no canul-
dates for the Presidency except those VINO
belong to the Republican party. Num-
erous as are the factions into which
Democracy is divided not single one OF
them has a champion who is looked upon
as possible party leader in the campaign.
The Populists, though not so divided as
the Democrats, are equally leaderless, so
far as the Presidential race is concerned.
In consequence of this, all interest in the
choice of the next chief executive OF the
Nation is directed to the contest among
Republican leaders, and their relative
chances are being carefully studied by
acute politicians in all parts of the
country.
a significant feature of the situation is
that while every section of the East has
some favorite candidate, the whole of the
Greater West is virtually impartial. The
TWO great divisions of the country in
this respect present striking contrast.
Beyond the Missouri there is an incessant
struggle among the friends of the various
favorites to win this or that advantage,
is calm unbiased scrutiny of the situa-
ton, and a careful watch of the drift of
events for the purpose of determining
which candidate, all things considered, is
best fitted to lead the party to victory and
most certain to assure the country an ad
ministration that will advance the welfare
of all.
The advantage which this condition OF
affairs gives to Western statesmen cannot
be overlooked. With the East divided and
the West uncommitted to either side, it is
almost a foregone conclusion that the
Western delegates to the st. Louis conven-
tion will determine the result of the con-
test and name the next President. 1t is
too early to speculate as to whom that will
be. 1t is fairly certain the great majority
of Western delegates will support the man
whose nomination will give the most salts
faction to the country as a whole without
regard to local favorltes. Having no local
favorite of their own, they will be in a
position to do that effectively and
promptly and thus prevent anything like
a prolonged deadlock, which would be
sure to result if the Western delegates,
like those of the East, were devoted to some
single candidate to the exclusion Of all
others.
1t seems clear, therefore, that the policy
OF the Western States at this juncture
should be to send unpledged delegates to
the st. Louis convention. However great
may be the admiration in this or that
State for some particular candidate there
should be no attempt to bind the delegates
of the State to the fortunes of the favorite.
All the candidates are able men, well fitted
to hold the high office of President. The
one issue is to have the selection made in
the convention by impartial delegates and
without a heated contest. That can be
done only by leaving the West as free as
she is to-day, to review the whole situation
and name the man who best deserves the
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
BEWARE OF ALASKA.

The warning of an old resident of Alaska
to all who may be tempted to seek their
fortunes in the gold fields of that region
should be needed. lie declares that nearly
half of the men there now are destitute
and unable to secure employment. All
the established mines accessible from the
coast are fully stocked with miners, and
prospecting and developing are all that is
left. As for employment in other voca-
tions, there is none to be had.
There is no doubt that much truth exists
in the accounts of rich discoveries that
have been made there, but the hardships
which accompany the industry are too Sc
we're for any except those sufficiently
equipped. Provisions are necessarily very
dear, and no work OF any kind is possible
during the greater part OF the year. The
mines which have secured rich returns are
owned by wealthy corporations enjoying
every facility which a poor man is denied
The recent reduction in steamer rates to
Alaska, coupled with the fabulous stories
of rich discoveries, has resulted in crowd
ing the boats engaged on the run. Hun
dredswith barely sufficient to pay their
passage are going north. They do not
TtdlIZe thai Inc COnulLlOnS are WHOLLY Qlf-
ferent from those in new mining camps
elsewhere. The extreme cold imposes linn
itations which prohibit an ordinary min
ing boom. An evidence of the severity of
the cold is shown in the fact that in pan
washing for gold the quicksilver will not
act as it does in a milder climate, but per-
mits all the float gold to escape, retaining
none but coarse gold.
Alaska has great possibilities for wealthy
investors, but not for men who depend on
their daily labor or who want to take the
chances of making valuable discovery in
prospecting. 1t is one thing to find rich
deposit in that remote and difficult region
and another to obtain a purchaser. AS for
depending on what may be secured by
pan-washing in the glacial moraines, con-
sidering the very short season during
which that may be done, it should appall
the hardest spirit. Besides, the richest
deposits are far inland, to which no one
dare penetrate unless he be amply pro-
vided with money and provisions.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
COLONY SUPERVISION.

The Stockton Independent, referring to
the Kenwood Colony scandal, near Santa
Rosa, declares that throughout the San
Joaquin Valley landowners have subdi-
vided fertile and inviting tracts, and, by
reason of not having advertised them, are
wondering why strangers are not attracted
to them but are swlndled by irresponsible
colony managers. The problem furnishes
its own explanation.
Comparatively few colony schemes in
the State have been conducted on a dis
honest or incompetent basis, but their
number has been sufficient to work i'm
measurable damage. The Kenwood Colony
may be used as an illustration. Eastern
agents OF the company induced settlers to
come to California and buy homes in the
colony with the assurance that the title
was perfect and would shortly be deliv-
cred. After the settlers had established
themselves by the expenditure OF consider
able money they were amazed to find them
selves confronted with ejectment suits
brought by the original owner of the land
the company had never paid for the prop
erty. That one affair, though not repre-
sentative of our colonies in general, will
cost California millions of dollars.
1t would seem that in view of such
frauds-perhaps it was merely case of
mismanagement-the LEGISLATURE should
provide for careful supervision of all
colony enterprises. Although it may not
be desirable to increase the number of COM
missions, such an institution might be the
best for this case. Whatever the machinery
provided for the supervision, colony COM
panies should be required to file deed
and abstract of titles with the Secretary OF
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12

1t was once the property of Mrs. Van Brooklyn,
who resided In Long Island about the year
100. She lived to be an old woman and at her
death left the table to her daughter, who was
then a Mrs. Mead.
For some reason the table always changed
owners on the female side. From Mrs. Mead
1T went to her daughter, Mrs. Logistron, who
IN turn beqneathed it to her daughter, Mrs.
Pond. Mrs. Pond left it to her daughter. who
afterwards became Mrs. Fisher. Not having
any daughter Mrs. Fisher left the table to her
husband, and 1t viii eventually pass TO one of
their sons.
The table is a splendid example of the join
ers' art. 1t is beautiful in form and is made of
solid mahogany and rosewood. The different
pieces are doyetailed together aud there is no
sign of glue being used In spite of its great
age 1t is still as good as the day it was made
The varnsh is scratched in places, but every
joint of the woodwork is perfect. Not a single
piece shows signs of warping. The table is
the regulation height and the top is about two
and half feet square. It weighs over sixty
pounds. There are two drawers in front tha t
have the original locks on them. The key
holes are peculiar, being surrounded by pieces
of inlald brass that are smoothed Off even
with the front OF the drawer.
Nj. Fisher does not keep his treasure hidden
away as curio, but uses it in his studio as
color stand. for which ii is admirably adapted.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
PLACER COUNTY FRUIT.

The CROP Nor MATERIALLY INJURED BY THE
LATE FROsTs.
To the Editor of the San Francisco CdII-SIR:
/ have watched with interest the reports sent
out from here regarding the damage done by
frost 10 the fruit crop in this district, which
have been very much exaggerated. At first the
outlook was rather blue or seemed so, as it
was impossible to ascertain the exact extent
OF damages. The last couple of days | have
taken the trouble to Investigate many orchards
on both high and low land, and am confident
that the output Tor Newcastle will be fully as
much as last year, and may exceed it.
1t will be only few growers that will not be
compelled to thin their peaches. The X Kelsev
Japan plum and apricot is probably affected
the most of any fruit, and there will be good
half crop OF them. There is some little COM
plant of Black Oregon cherries, but the tar
tarians are loaded. / might say that there are
but few apricots grown here, so it really does
not effect us much.
From the dispatches published in the San
Francisco papers the county newspapers are
writing FROM and have already seen couple
Of articles which state that Newcastle is all
frozen up. GEO. NJ BIsBEE
NeWcastl March 10 1896
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12

the Royal Theater, Copenhagen. The music is
by August Enna, a young composer whose
former opera, 'Tne Sorcerer," caused him TO
be looked upon as the coming Danish com.
poser. The new work has not disappointed the
hopes which had been based on Enna's future.
At Brussels ''Mignon" was being performed
when the news arrived of Am broise Thomas
death Marie Van Zandt. the American prima
donna, who was winning great applause in the
title role, came before the curtain t the end of
the second act and placed a beautiful wreath
between the leaves of the score as a trib1Ite to
the master.
Frederick Cowen best known in this country
as composer of songs, has been chosen sue.
cessor to the late SIR Charles Halle as conduc-
tor of the famous Halle Symphony orchestra,
which gave such fine music to Liverpool, Man
chester and many other cities of the United
Kingdom.
At the Municipal Theater of Basle q new
opera, "Gudrun," by Hans Huber, has met
with great success.
Hermann Levy's mental condition is rel eported
to be growing worse. There is no possibility of
the great conductors even being present at the
Bayreuth festival this year.
1t is expected that the Seidl orchestra will
reach this City May Is. If satisfactory arrange
ments are concluded a three weeks season will
be given here.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

There are more ways than one of growing
famous. In these enlightened days greatness
avails man nothing Il he cannot impress the
fact in new and startling manner on blase
world There is Seidl, ior instance. Any one
would imagine that he was great enough to
tour the land, depending on the magic of his
conducting alone; but Seidl knows trick
worth two of that. His musical lore and his
artistic temperament are all very well in their
way, but the public likes to have something to
stare at and talk about, and Seidl means to
give them what they want. The other day he
and his orchestra OF sixty-four musicians went
to Menlo Park, N. j., to visit Edison. La
chaume, the pianist, accompanied them; so
did Sauret and Rivarde, the violin soloists of
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12

ton salvayre One must add that Salome anu
Charles Constantine obtained the second prize
in 1861 and 1863"
The Bayreuth festival this year will last from
Jn1v 10 to August 19. A reserved seat for the
whole series of music dramas only costs $40,
but of course the expense m UNITS up in the
cost of living. There will be five representa-
tions of the s.Niebelungen Ring" The "Rheln-
goldn will be given on SUNDAYS, "Ihe
Walkeure" on Mon days and "The Dusk OF the
Gods on Tuesdays. "The Rheingold" Will be
given without entractes and will begin at D
O'Clock in the afternoon. "Parsifai VIII not
be performed this year.
"Aucassin and Nicolette," new opera which
has been expected and talked of for long
time, has Just been presented with success at
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER.

Fresno Watchmau.
Under the progressive management OF
Charles NJ. Shortridge the San Francisco CALL
has gone rar idly to the front as a newspaper
Its system OF collecting State news is probably
superior to that OF any other California paper
Its publication of metropolitan events is in
the most choice form and abreast of the hour.
Telegraphic reports from all over the world are
most eiaoofate, ana are artlstically headlined
lustrates in the editorial department the JUS
tice with which he has been termed brilliant
writer.
OF course, we deprecatc the tenacity of his
adherence to the Republican party, and while
recognizing his ability and The CALLS merit,
we console ourselves with the belief that he is
vet young enough to eventually ripen into a
Democrat
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
A JACKET COSTUME FOR GIRLS.

Jacket effects are always extremely becoming
to little girls, and the one shown here is an
unusually graceful cut The full undeffront
is becoming alike to stout or very slender fig
ures. stylish addition is the narrow belt,
which may be OF leather gilt braid or ribbon
The skirt is simply gathered into the band,
hve-inch band OF hair cloth or some stiff inter-
lining being set on the bottom to give the
proper flare. Wash dresses simply
hemmed at the foot, and worn over very full
pettcoats.
dress of cadet blue had full vest of blue
and green shot silk. The revers and collar
were likewise of the silk, with green spangles