New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-21
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
MOISTURE FOR THE CROPS-JUSTICE FOR
CHINEsE-A LESSON IN OUTLAWRY.
inv TT, rcp pr TO THE TRiBUNE1

CHINESE-A LESSON IN OUTLAWRY.
fRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUNE]
San Francisco Feb 20-The heaviest rain
storm known in years has prevailed Throughout
the State for two days. Hail and little snow
fell in San Francisco on Thursday night and
Friday and snow fell all along the Coast Range
Mountains The outlook for all kinds of fruits
Is exceptionally good and only the late frost
can damage crops. In some sections cherry
and almond orchards already in bloom The
excess OF rain has done no hurt TO fruit, and 1t
has greatly helped the dry districts of the San
joaquin. Reports from the big grain districts
show that prospects are good except around
Rio Vista. on the Sacramento River. There
about 100000 acres have been flooded Still
the increased acreage sown, owing 10 the stimu-
lus of higher prices for wheat ought to make
the yield this season considerably larger than
that of last year
The Legislature will be asked to impose
heavier penalties for the violation OF the Pure
Food law. An analysis of common articles
bought in the open market shows that three
quarters of the food products sold by all but
the best dealers are badly adulterated and that
many of them contain not a particle OF the
genuine substance given the label For a
second offence the Judge is permitted to i'm
pose six months in Jail and for third offence
from TO five years.
Mayor Phelan proposes to introduce the Pin
gree plan of raising vegetables on vacant city
lots. The Mayor says that there is a large body
OF good land in the suburbs which he thinks
can be cultivated with profit. and next week he
will submit 10 the various labor organizations
his scheme for practical relief for the unem-
ployed. The number of men out of work Is
large, but they not the class that expect or
would receive charity.
1t has been slow work for the Chinese to Sc
the same legal rights white men, but
they are gradually gaining ground for which
they have fought for years This week Judge
Dunn. of the Superior Court declared unCon-
stitutiOnal the municipal ordinance forbddng
the operation of Chinese laundries on Sunday.
This ordinance was used by the police as a pre-
text for arrestng Chinese laundrymen and i'm
posing fines in police courts. Ii absurd in
a city which observes Sunday in the Continental
manner. and which permits saloons and many
places Of business to remain open and which puts
restrictions on sunday work on new build
ings or on performances in theatres or concert
halls. The Chinese will also be sure to recover
damages from the police for the destruction OF
the headquarters of societies in Chinatown
which are alleged to be nests of Hghbnders and
criminals. 1t will be extremely difficult to prove
that these associations are opposed TO the law.
and actions for damages will, ii is thought, be
successful in many cases.
There was nothing that was noteworthy at the
theatres this week, the only new thing being the
production at the Baldwin by Louis James of
his new adaptation from Scribe entitled MY
Lord and Some Ladies' The play deals with
Bolingbroke and Queen Anne, but the critics
all agree that James was out of his element In
his attempt to play the 1ippant, cynical cour-
tier. He had no polish of manner to fit the witty
lines. and his figure lacked the grace and dis
tinction that history ascribes TO Bolingbroke.
on St. Patricks Day it is expected that two
twin gunboats for the Government Will he
launched at the Union Iron Works. 1t Will BE-
he Grct ,1topa n
ever made on the coast. The gunbOatS are the
Wheeling and the Marietta, and delegations
from the West Virginia and the Ohio cities VIII
he here to witness the ceremonies. The west
Virginia delegation will come out on Senator
Elkins's private car They will bring a punch
bowl and service worth Sl.VOO.
The varied resources of California shown
this week by the opening of an exhibition OF
oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits Al Clo-
verdae. in Sonoma County. lightweight miles
north Of san Francisco This place is in the
rich and warm Russian River Valley. which was
originally settled by the Russians. The place
is sheltered from cold winds by heavy redwood
forests. and IL produces fine oranges as River
side or Redlands in Southern California The
display of olives, nuts, dried fruit and wine Is
also large.
Arizona may give California a lesson in the
way to capture train robbers In this State two
out of three train robbers escape altogether or
get away for months and are only caught
through their own admissions when drunk IN
Arizona last week the Santa Fe train was heId
I'D near Peach Springs by two cowboys. one or
the robbers shot dead by the express mes
senger and the other was chased for six days
by the Sheriffs OF Coconino and IaVapa1 coun-
ties and posse of four deputies, and captured
in a wild mountain canyon. The Sherlns wore
out their horses, but pluckily took up the pam
dts tail on foot and kept IT Till they ran MN
down He is now at Prescott, with good
chance Of ornamenting the galloWs. ana the
officers say they have evidence which will break
up a gang of desperate outlaws.