The record-union., 1896-03-09
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
Expressions of Interior California
Newspapers.
Comments Upon Things Local, Gov
ernmenta1, Practical, Theoret-
ical and Current.

Bakersfield Californian: 1t is very
amusing, though a trif1e bewildering to
the person not acquainted with San
Francisco newspaper methods, to peruse
| the headlines in the different papers
over the same piece of news. For in
stance, in reporting the cross -examina-
tion of Miss Overman, one paper says
that she went all to pieces" involved
herself in maze of contradictions, was
frequently cornered and confused, and
SO ON. But another paper, which is
manifestly not sin" the scheme to ruin
Rev. Mr.. Brown, says that Miss Over
man was calm and collected and stood
the test of cross-examination in good
form A glance at the stenographer's
report of the testimony shows the latter
statement to be nearest the truth. AT
the outset the Californian" remarked
that the reports Of the trial would be
colored to suit the prejudices of the re-
porters and the outcome shows that
this paper was correct in its estimate.
IT IS WISE.
Pasadena Star: The Record Union
protests in advance against the pledg-
ing of national delegates. Perhaps this
is wise. No matter how popular can
didate may be, matters may look diff
ferent in convention from what they
did at the time the delegates were
elected.
SHOULD BE FREE.
Los Angeles Herald The Cubans
should be free if they wish to be, and
they seem to so wish. The right to
govern can justly rest only on the
consent of the governed, and in that
principle lies an all-sufficient reason
for Cuban freedom. What they will do
if they secure their independence is no
body's business. The masses may be
worse off than they are now; the Gov
ernment they set up may be vastly less
efficient in serving the popular good
than the present administration, but it
viii be theirs, and the balance of the
world may comment, but will have no
right to interfere. The people of the
United States will and should sympa-
thize with the struggling Cubans, be-
cause they believe the insurgents are
battling for the principle of self govern
ment. But it is not necessary for this
Government to take to take up the cause
of the rebels. This Government was not
instituted for the purpose of fighting
eAA@ O1bSACS VI OLACl l1dIA It's OWU pSO-
pie. The United States Senate and
House of Representatives should read
the Constitution and abide thereby.
And the Senators and Representatives.
might learn to discuss with less free
dom and more accuracy the respective
merits and demerits of the combatants
HONEST GOVERNMENT.
Los Angeles Times: There has been
loud demand of late in many cities
for reform in municipal affairs. City
governments have become corrupt and
large waste in expenditures has been
complained of, and the charge is fire.
quently made that official incompetence
and corruption are largely the sources
OF unsatisfactory city government.
This view has been a generally ac-
cepted one among those who jump at
conclusions without stopping to study
the relation of conditions to existing
facts.
But those who govern our cities are
not alone to blame if bribery and cor
ruption exist. There will always be
found two parties to such schemes, the
one who offers and the one who accepts
the bribe, and their guilt is equal.
AT d paHquet uelu recently III chicago
some remarks were made which
charged Aldermanic incompetence and
lack of principle with being the sources
Of unsatisfactory municipal govern
ment. Mayor Swift was present and
took up the question, discussing it from
an intelligent standpoint, and his words
are worthy of thoughtful consideration.
He said: 'Who is it that comes into the
Common Council and asks for such
privileges? Who is it who is accused
of offering bribes for such franchises
tell you these questions come home.
Talk about anarchy; talk about breed