The record-union., 1897-02-14
VOICE OF TIE PRESS.
Extracts From Editorial Expression Of
Journals
OF the State and the Coast on Sub.
ieCts of Living and News
Interest.

Riverside Press: There was a decid-
ed feeling on the part of many women
who We're prominent in the suffrage
campaign in this State last fall that
the cause was injured rather than help
ed by the management of the National
Woman's Suffrage Association. Out
side speakers and workers very largely
ran the campaign, and it is claimed
that they made sirious mistakes be-
cause of their lack of familiarity with
local conditions. At the last meeting
of the National Association an effort
was made to put the State campaigns
entirely in the hands of State commit
tees, but this was voted down. Miss
Anthony declared that no money
should be contributed TO the State cam
paigns unless the National Committee
could conduct the campaign, and the
effort for home rule in the matter
was defeated by decisive vote.
COYOTE SCALPS.
Tulare Register: There will be an un-
fragrant odor in the atmosphere until
the coyote scalp claims against the
State are disposed of once for all. That
Bounty Act was a worse than foolish
law to start with and has caused vex-
alton of spirit from the start. 1t will
be not easy to distinguish native
scalp from one taken in Arizona or
Mexico, yet just claims should be paid
because the State solemnly agreed to
pay Governor Jim was announced as
having his sleeves rolled UP months ago
to show up and fay the fraudulent
bounty snatchers but like many of the
other Budd going-to-do's nothing has
come of it, Boys are likely to become
old men before we hear the last of the
coyote business in California.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
Bakersfield Californian: Special leg
islations is prohibited by the Constitu-
ton of the State, yet it is debatable
question whether or not there is wis
dom in this restriction. In order to
keep within the Constitution, measures
are framed at each Legislative session
general in meaning but applicable to
particular cases where a special en-
actment is deemed necessary as de-
sira BILE A confusion of intent and
meaning is the result and the courts
are being called upon continually to
construe conflicting laws. The old
Institution that permitted the Legis-
lature to create a special law to meet
special condition was bad, but the con-
ditions were not worse than those now
existing which permits the making of
a special law disguised as general leg
isIation, and inapplicable in no case but
the one it is intended to cover.
LOTTERY SCHEME.
The Californian: And now Nevada
has on foot a scheme to establish by law
State lottery This will go hand in hand
with the new prize fight Act. The Ne
vada solons might further cover them
selves with glory by legalizing bull
fights and bear baitings. All these little
things will prove conducive to the gay
ETY. of nations and render life less bur
densome to the denizenS of the Silver
State.
SAILORS AND CIVIL RIGHTS.
Los Angeles Herald: The decision of
the Federal Supreme Court in the ship
Argo case is attracting general atten-
ton and agitating labor circles not
little The court holds under the exist
ing law the master of a coastwise vessel
may cause a seaman to be arrested and
imprisoned if he attempts to quit the
service of the vessel before the expira
ton of the time which he had contracted
to serve-the sailor to be held in confine
ment until the ship is ready to go to sea,
when he shall be put aboard.
1t is no doubt true that less progress
in the direction of advancing labor to
higher levels of personal rights has been
made in the marine than in any other
line of employment but there has been
some reason for it. A ship cannot put
to sea short handed without endanger
ing life and property; besides, when a
ship starts upon a voyage its owner,
the owner of the cargo and the master
of the vessel have the right to be insured
against any conduct on the part of the
seamen that would jeopardize life or
property, or seriously delay the delivery
of the cargo at the point of destina-
ton. The maritime laws of the country
give a ship the character of public car
rier, and define its rights and privileges
as we'll as it's obligations to the public;
and the law not only presumes that the
carrier and it's employees will serve the
public we'll and faithfully, but it as
sumes the right to oblige them to.
EMPLOYING CONvICTS.
San Diego Union: People who are
making study of the question of prison
labor might perhaps get valuable hint
from Texas, where convicts are self
supporting. Ten years ago the State
purchased a large farm for convict
working, 1000 acres of which are now
under a high state of cultivation. The
chief products are cotton and sugar,
and the value of the annual crop has in
creased within few years from SOB 900
to SS1 900; this, in addition to the food
and forage raised for the convictS and
the farm stock. This establishment is
conducted by what are termed second
class negro convicts, those who are
physically unable to meet the require
ments of convict labor for the majority
of the prisoners are still worked under
contract The latter system, however,
is less profitable to the State than the
farm plan, besides being Objectionable
in almost every respect and will prob
ably be abandoned. The idea of a con-
vict farm in California has found favor
in some quarters. 1t would doubtless
encounter fierce opposition Still it is
plain that something must be done with
the States prisoners, and it might be
well to look into the Texas system a
LEGISLATIVE REFORM
Stockton Mail: There is merit enough
in Caminetti's constitutional amend
ment relative to changes in the manner
of holding legiSlat tive sessions to en-