The record-union., 1896-12-31
Voice OF THE PRESS.
Extracts From Editorial Expression Of
Journals
Of the State and the Coast on SUBJ
jects Of Living and News
Interest.

3rany Tor cavalry purposes The aver
age Texas bronco will prove more dead
iy 10 the unframed rider than dnsurgent
shot and she'll
ABSURD.
Redlands Citrograph: The story started
by some of the North California papers
that a big pot of money is being raised
IN South California for State division
purpose is a canard. 1t is more likely
that the shrewd Democrats of North
California are quietly pushing the
movement, as they would have a sure
Democratic State If they could get rid
of the big Republican majority down
here. 1t is the needs Of irrigation down
here that makes division sentiment, not
politics. We pretty near run the
State now politically.
NOT A BAD IDEA.
Stockton Independent: Those who say
San Francisco has no reliable newSpa-
pers are greatly in error. They can all
be relied upon In the matter of the rail-
roads, but the reader must get on to
their system" and believe just the re-
Verse of what they say, and it doesn't
matter whether they attack or defend.
N-GROWERS.
San Diego Union: The Ventura bean
growers. whose industry has of recent
years assumed very large proportions,
do not propose to be ignored when the
House Ways and Means Committee
gives its hearings on the agricultural
schedule of the new tariff. The Ven
tura farmers say that Germany is a for
midable competitor in the bean market,
and that their industry is as much in
need of protection as any other. If this
be the case they are wise in taking
steps to present their views before the
committee. The trainers of the new tar
iff will doubtless do their best to treat
all fairly. Still people who are too
modest to state their wants are very
likely not to find them anticipated.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION AND
ALIEN RIGHTS.
Humboldt Times: The careful study
of the reports Of the Secretary of the
Interior and Commissioner of Immigra-
ton will convince one that rigid re-
strictive measures should be passed by
Congress without delay. The immigra-
tion Of Objectionable subjects of foreign
powers should be absolutely prohibited,
and the rights of aliens by which they
are permitted to acquire and hold pub
lie lands by merely declaring their in
tentions to become citizens of the
United States, should be barred.
The Secretary's report shows that
during the past thirteen years, the pub
lie lands have been disposed Of with
great rapidity, and that If the same rate
OF disposition be made for the next thir-
teen years to come there will remain
little of the public domain outside Of
Alaska suitable for settlement That
portion of the public domain now re-
manning should be held by the Govern
nent solely for the use and benefit Of its
bona fde citizens and the sooner this
matter receives the attention Of Con-
gress the sooner this growing senti-
ment will be satisfied.
STATE TRUNK ROADS.
Humboldt Standard: Good roads are
receiving more attention throughout
the nation than ever before. Good road
congresses are being held in almost
every State in the Union and much work
is being done to mould public opinion
in favor of improving our wagon roads
The State Government of each State
should formulate plans for State roads
and build trunk lines of the most ap-
proved roadways from the metropolis
of the State, or from the State Capital
to the different sections of the State
These would serve as models for county
roads and would probably stimulate
county authorities to work to better ad-
TOW 1F "
highways.
OUR THIRD ELECTRIC LINE.
San Jose Mercury: The transmission
of electric power from Newcastle to Sac
ramento. a distance Of thirty miles, is
striking example Of what nearly every
city and town in California could ac-
complish with a little money and en-
terprise. Every mountain stream could
be made to do similar duty, thus cheap
ening the cost of motive power for local
manufactures. lights, etc, and result
ing in the general advancement and
prosperity of all sections of the State.
STATE ROAD POLICY.
Stockton Record: The wheelmen do
rot seem to be moving for any change
of the road laws by the incoming Leg
islature. But the public sentiment is
growing for some substantial mission
ary work on the part OF the State in
the direction of good roads. law
similar to that in Massachusetts or
New Jersey, setting apart a moderate
sum for the construction of durable
State highways would be of great BEN
eft 10 the State. The State crushes
rock and sells 1t at about cost. Why
can It not also build macadam roads
under competent engineers? A few
miles of good roads constructed by
State appropriation in different sections
would have a stimulating effect on local
communities. A State appropriation
to pay a portion, say % per cent, of
the cost of every five miles Of macadam
road built IN a continuous line in any
county under the supervision of an en-
gineer selected by the State would be
followed by beneficial results.
THE GREAT CITRUS FAIR.
Oakland Tribune: One Of the great
winter citrus fairs has just closed in
the city Of Fresno. The entire San
joaquin Valley was represented a few
years ago IL would have been impossi-
BILE to hold such a winter fair in any
part Of that valley. Wheat growing
had pushed the cattle husbandry back
into the hills. Farmers took the chances
on a single crop. If 1t failed. as II
often did, they waited for a better sea
sen. One good year would more than
balance accounts with a bad one. But
with low prices for wheat not much
money was made in that crop for sew