The record-union., 1896-03-04

SPANISH APOLOGY.
Oakland Enquirer: The prompt ac-
ton of Spain in expressing regret for
the work of the mob in Barcelona is
highly creditable. To apologize was the
only thing that could be done, but Spain
did it with more promptitude than was
expected under the circumstances, and
instead of humiliating her, this act, by
showing that the Government is not
sWayed by the mob, entities it to added
respect. It is fortunate that at this
critical time the Prime Minister of
Spain, Senor Canovas del Castillo, is
man really entitled to be considered a
statesman; he is a conservative, but
one of a very respectable type.
OF THE CUBANS.
Santa Cruz Penny Press: In the first
place, the Cubans in rebellion are most
ly negroes, untitled to govern them
selves, unripe for American citizenship.
IF we forcibly loose the grip of Spain on
the island, what are we to do with it
ourselves? Shall we make it a State Of
the republic? God forbid. In no way
is it fit to enter into the great league
of self governing commonwealths.
Alien in race, in thought in customs
Cuba in this republic.
TORRENS LAND LAW
Stockton Record: There is little
doubt that the Torrens land law will
prove as popular in this country as has
the Australian ballot system. Cook
County, Illinois, which includes the city
Of Chicago, has adopted the system,
and numerous transfers have been made
there under the system, though its use
is not mandatory on property owners.
1t is so highly approved that other
States and cities will not long postpone
the adoption of the system.
The Torrens law for the transfer OF
realty titles, if we properly understand
it, virtually vests the primary title in
the State. The State issues possessory
title to certificate, and at the same
time enters a decree quieting all prior
claims and adverse titles When
transfer is made it is simply necessary
to call in the certificate and issue an
other one to the party who makes the
purchase.
THE LIQUOR MEN.
Los Angeles Times: The determina-
ton of the better class of liquor dealers
to enter upon crusade throughout the
State against those who violate the law
is commendable. The movement is also
10 be commended in that it is inspired
by no hypocriticaI pretense of piety,
philanthropy or temperance. These
liquor men recognize the fact that their
business is seriously injured by un-
scrupulous keepers of saloons and low
dives who insist upon violating and
defying the law. AS matter of self
protection they propose to cooperate
with and assist the authorities in en-
forcing the law and taking away the
licenses Of those who violate it. The
movement is wise one on the part of
the liquor dealers and promises to result
in much good all around
1T COSTS.
Shasta Courier: oh, no, it don't cost
anything in particular to operate rail-
roads. For instance, the new United
States law requires all freight cars to
be equipped with automatic couplers
after January 1, 1898. The Southern
Pacific system has two couplings to
each car, and the cost will be $40 per
car. The estimated cost for the entire
system is 1924 900.
A "SUN" STROKE.
Colusa Sun: Capital is sought to be
made by the Vanderbilt wing of the
funding bill discussion out of the admis-
sion of Mr.. Huntington that dividends
to the amount of several millions had
been paid to the stockholders of the
Central Pacific. Should there be a
mortgage on the Colusa "Sun" and l..
the publishing company was trying to
make settlement with the creditors,
would the dividends heretofore paid cut
any figure, except in SO far as they
might determine present value? If
John Doe had mortgaged his farm near
Maxwell for $50 an acre, when land in
that neighborhood was worth $50 an
acre, and when it came down to $25 and
less and he and his creditors were seek
ing to compromise SO as to secure fu-
ture payments, would the fact of good
crops and good prices ten years ago
cut any figure in the proceedings
LIQUOR DEALERS ACTION.
Los Angeles Record: The State Asso-
citation of Liquor Dealers has realized
that the best interests Of all will be con-
served by eliminating from the traffic
as many of the Objectionable features
as possible and under the lead of their
attorney, John w. Mitchell, has COM
menced crusade against dives and the
robbers who keep them. Without en-
tering into discussion of the ethics of
this much discussed business, it can be
said that the moves is a commendable
one, and will be productive of good.
BANKS AND PUBLIC FUNDS.
San Bernardino Sun: The other day
j. w. McCauley, late City Treasurer of
Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced to
serve a term of four years in the peni-
tertiary for drawing interest to his own
benefit on city funds by him deposited
in the Columbia National Bank, and
otherwise tampering with and misap-
propriating public moneys. AT the root
of his malversations, and probably the
first thing to suggest them, was the
quite general practice on this coast of
depositing public funds in banks with
the tacit understanding that in plain
violation of the letter of the law the
or otherwise used by the banks in COM
mon with other funds.
The inevitable result of this prac-
tice is that a custodian of public funds
who is not over-scrupu1ous reasons that
if the banks in which he deposits these
funds may use them, why may not he?
And it is a hard question to answer In
fact there is no rational negative an
swer to it, except in the abstract maxim