The record-union., 1896-03-30
SACRAMENTO DAILY REcoRD-UN1oN MONDAY MARCH so.

ticians who are backing the Morton
boom should not sustain a shock if the
aspirations of their favorite son are
blighted by the frost Of Western opposi-
ton. They have proclaimed anew
their fidelity to the bond holding inter-
est, but they have slaughtered their
candidate.
ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT
Tulare Register: Another co-opera-
tive colony has come to grief, or is on
the verge. This time 1t Is a colony of
Slavonians founded by a Catholic
priest up in Eden Valley, in Mendocino
County. The stockholders of the colony
claim that the facts in relation to the
colony were either withheld or grossly
misrepresented and they are duped. It
is to be hoped for the credit of the State
of California that there is no downright
swindle in this, and there many not be,
for dissatisfied investors do not make
the most impartial witnesses in such
cases. Cooperation is good in theory,
and it is the ultimate hope of humanity,
but 1T is Objectionable on the ground
that 1T simply does not work. At least
it does not work in this State and very
few cooperative ventures work well
anywhere in America. The trouble
seems to be not that the co-operators
do not work, but that they are worked
for all they are worth.
MKINLEY.
Los Angeles Times Mckinley has
the advantage of all the other "favorite
sons5 who are being put forward for
the Presidency in that he is not only
the favorite son of his own State but
of the whole country.
AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
San Diego Union: The decision of
Judge Morrow of the United States
court at San Francisco in the 'Zante
currant case, as it is called, is one of very
great Importance to the raisin- growers
OF California. These currants, as they
are termed in trade, are really a small
grape. They grow abundantly in
Greece, and on the islands of the Ionian
sea, at Zante, among others. For
merly these little grapes, which are ex-
ported dried in great quantities, cut into
the raisin trade very seriously. The
present tariff law imposes a duty upon
them But by a singular juggling of
terms payment has heretofore been
avoided. The importers have contended
that II these currants are dutiable, only
the product of the island Of Zante comes
under the tariff requirements. In this
contention they were upheld by the
Board Of General Appraisers. The ruling
caused dismay among raisin-growers.
VINO realized that if it were upheld
the market would be flooded with a
cheap substitute for raisins, which.
coming in duty free, would make serious
irroads into their industry.
Judge Morrows decision is that tba
Aahte currant, so-called, is dutiable un-
oer the present tariff law, no matter
"here 1t grows. His conclusion appears
to be one of common sense.
CREDITABLE TO FRESNO.
Stockton Independent: Fresno's in
dlgnation at the outrageous ISLANDERS of
the vulgar evangelist" was righteous
and the people there deserve great
credit for keping within due bounds.
they took wise course in call
ing the slanderer before them.
extortlng recantation and bid
Ding him begone. Had they laid vio-
lent hands upon him they would have
dlsgraced themselves, but had they per-
mitted the vile accusation to pass un-
noticed they would have been even more
deeply disgraced.
THE NEWSPAPER.
Oakland Tribune: Whatever NAV he
SAID to the contrary, the good work ac-
comphshed by the secular press is far
greater than all that can be placed on
the opposite side of the account. The
secular newspaper is helpful in a hun
ored different ways 1t helps the COM
munlty. 1t may sometimes make mis-
takes. But it seeks the best things.
Ahere has never been a time when the
secular press had SO much influence and
when 1t employed so large a part of It
for the good of the public.
THE POWER OF JUDGES.
Plumas National: There appears to
be an impression that, by a recent de-
clslon, the Supreme Court of this State
has enlarged the powers of Superior
Judges by holding that such Judges
nave authority to set aside a verdict
AS we understand the law, Judges have
always had this power except in cases
OF acqu1ttal on criminal charge. the
Judge, in such case, having no power
10 disturb the verdict In criminal
cases, therefore, the interference of the
Judge can only operate in behalf of
the pr1soner-a verdict of acquittal can
not be set aside. 1t is alleged that
Judges may exercise their discretion
with reference to the verdict for the
purpose OF freeing rank criminals.
true, but all experience teaches that
Judges are more inclined to a rigid en-
forcement of the law against criminals
than are juries.
1t is in civil cases where Judges have
the widest field for setting aside the YER
dict OF juries If, in the opinion of the
Judge, the facts adduced at the trial
viewed through the medium of the law,
do not justify the jury's verdict. he NAV
set 1T aside. This seems a necessary
power for there are instances in which
1urles disregard, through extraneous in
Huences, both law and facts. When this
disregard is palpable and fragrant. the
Judge should set the verdict aside and
permit a retrial of the case.
OPpOCT TTNN mn CDrCn