The record-union., 1897-03-11

California to-day can go over into Ne
vada and marry again tomorrow, but
that cannot be prevented; all that any
State can do is to sweep in front of its
own doors.
ROAD BUREAU BILLS.
San Diego Union: Friends of road re-
form in California have good reason to
be satisfied with the work of the AS
sembiy in that behalf last Thursday.
This was the final passage of the four
bills which provide for the continuance
of the State Highway Bureau, for the
inauguration of a State system of high
ways, for their construction and main
| tenance, and which also define the du-
| ties and privileges of the several coun-
| ties in connection with the system.
The passage of these bills is a sub
| stantial Vindication of the utility of
! the Bureau of Highways, which has
| been the object of assaults in certain
quarters. 1t is true that the measures
enacted We're not precisely the ones
which the bureau proposed. There was
some difference of opinion, chiefly on
| matters of detail, between members
of the bureau and the legislative COM
| mittee on roads and highways. But
after frequent conferences and conces-
| sionS on both sides the measures just
| passed by the Assembly were finally
! framed. Friends of good roads now re-
gard the battle as half won, and antici-
pate favorable action by the Senate and
Governor on the measures, which are
II -
progressive States that have declared
for road reform
BUSY BODIES EXCORIATED.
Santa Clara Journal: You may find
honesty among thieves, truth among
| liars, virtue among harlots, wisdom
among fools, but you'll never find a
spark Of manhood, womanhood or par
| ticle of principle in a meddler. The
| thief may chronicle the truth by mis-
take; the fool may say wise things by
accident, and fallen women may go and
sin no more, but the man who noses
around and mikes up with other peo-
pies affairs will remain the same con-
temptible, unprincipled cur.
CANOT ENFORCE THE LAW.
Marysville Democrat: The Governor
divorced persons marrying again with
in one year from the date of the decree
of separation. The intention of the
author of the bill was in the right di-
rection, but we fail to understand how
the law is to be enforced. Two years
ago when the Legislature enacted a
law prohibiting contract marriages it
accomplished much good, and if the
present enactment could be enforced
there would be a less number of di-
vorce cases. To evade the provisions
of this law persons desiring to marry
can take trip to Reno, Carson or any
county in Nevada or Oregon and after
the usual honeymoon return to their
home in California and take up their
abode without fear of molestation. And
if the courts pass upon the law it seems
quite certain that it will be held to
take from such persons rights con-
ferred upon them by the Constitution
of the United States. We do not be-
lieve that rights which are accorded
to one citizen should be denied to an
other And if the law is good in this
case the Legislature two years hence
can make the time five or ten years
instead of one. When a decree of di-
vorce has been entered the man and
woman are placed on an equality with
every other unmarried person under
the law, end to treat them differently
is class legislation that ought not to
stand
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
San Diego Union: There is practi-
cal tone about the message that will
no ial nj
of platitudes. The President clearly
points out the evils from which the
country is suffering-lack of revenue to
run the Government, and industrial
depression caused by the withdrawal
of the protective policy which fosters
prosperity. The trouble being clearly
understood, the President thinks the
remedy should be applied at the earli-
est possible day; hence his announce
ment that Congress will be Immediately
convened.
ANTI-SPITTING ORDINANCES.
Oakland Tribune: San Francisco and
Sacramento have adopted an anti-spit-
ting ordinance, which under a penalty
forbids splitting on sidewalks, in street
cars, or on the floors of public halls.
Such an ordinance is now enforced in
many Eastern cities. 1t might be per-
tinent to inquire If the Sacramento or
dinance is enforced in the two legisla-
tive halls Of the Capitol?
A RUBBER TREE.
Mendocino Beacon: A tree named
oleo elastica, claimed to grow album
dainty in Sonoma County is said to
furnish sap by incision in
its roots, which can be utilized the
same as caoutchouc or rubber. The
question is whether the tree is also in
Mendocino County