The record-union., 1897-04-17

to the possibility of cotton planting
being delayed in certain flooded Sec
tions. In spite Of these drawbacks, the
feeling in trade circles is reasonably
healthful, all things considered Al
though purchases are upon moderate
scale, yet they are frequent and the
aggregate is not discouraging; either as
to amount or profits. The quarterly
reports of the commercial agencies
show a remarkably small amount OF
liabilities in the three months failures,
which is a gratifying indication OF the
financial condition of men of business
and helps to stiffen confidence in mer-
camille credits.
SCARED INTO SOCIALISM.
San Jose Mercury: The announce
ment that Mrs. Mary E. Lease has alb
jured Populism and adopted Socialism
is not in itself a remarkable piece of
news, nor is the fact particularly inter-
esting Mrs. Lease is but type of
numerous class of persons who have en-
tered into an investigation of present
social conditions, and after probing
around in the depths for time an
nounce that social and economic condl-
tions are "all wrong" are founded on
false basis and the utter destruction of
society itself will result if we keep on in
maintaining them. They point as proof
that their conclusions are correct'to the
great centralizing of capital, the de-
struction of competition by combines
and trusts, the croWding out of small
tradeSmen and small manufacturers and
the monopolization of the natural re-
sources of the country by a few who
control the existence of the rest of the
people.
After reaching the conclusion that So
ciety must be reformed these self-styled
sociologists declare that the adoption OF
the principles of socialism is the only
adequate means of reformation; that the
State should assume control of all pro-
duction and distribution and all the peo-
| pie to become mere employees of the
State.
| The jumping at such a conclusion
shows the superficiality of their investi-
cations and the narrowness of their rea-
soning They overlook the most i'm
portant forces now operating upon So
ciety and fail to take into account the
power of this factor in securing reforms
of social conditions. We refer to the
every day is giving forth new ideas, new
processes, new machines wherewith man
may more readily WELD the forces of
nature and secure them as means OF
subsistence. In the domain Of science
and invention the tendency is from the
complex to more simple forms, whether
it be in machines or in formulae. Sci
ence can knock out a trust quicker than
an Act of Congress. An airshlp would
end transportation monopoly, new
process of extracting sugar would de-
stroy the sugar trust, a cheap SUBSTITUTE
| for cattle hides would dissolve the
leather trust quicker than would an in
junction from a Federal Court. AS
these new inventions become more sim
| pie and inexpensive so much more
would they be in the hands of individual
producers. In other words, the indlVld-
ual would have it in his power to com
pete with q trust. The only monopoly
to provide against is that which would
seek to monopolize the forces of nature.
NOT A LOCAL ISSUE.
Los Angeles Times: There is much
more reason for a duty of / per cent.
per pound on oranges and lemons than
grapes and peaches. The grower of
peaches is to a considerable extent pro-
tected by the perishable nature of his
product. The same, to a less degree, is
true of grapes But citrus fruits can
| be kept for a long time after being
picked from the trees, and can be ship
ped long distances without danger of
serious deterioration. For this reason,
| foreign oranges and lemons can be
shipped into the United States, to the
great detriment of domestic industry.
Those Eastern Senators and Repre-
sentatiyes who are joining hands with
the New York importers against the
products of California are exhibiting
a very narrow and petty spirit. Pro-
lection is not local ISSUE" the late
lamented General Hancock to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. 1t is the broad
est kind of national issue, and should
! be treated as such. The great staple
| products of each and every section of
the country are entitled, by the YER
! dict of the people as rendered at the
| late national election, to ample protec-
ton. That verdict was not rendered in
! favor of any particular locality, nor
was the result achieved by the voters of
any one section. AS the. result of the
election was general, so should the leg
islation which follows it be general in
| character. No one locality should be
favored at the expense of another local
ity. Having secured protection for their
products, the Eastern Senators and
Representatives should be willing in all
fairness to grant as full protection to
! the products of the West
| II importers and foreign Governments
are to be allowed to dictate the terms
of our tariff laws there will be no par
ticular reason why the American peo-
pie should vote on the tariff question at
all. 1t would save a great deal of
trouble, time and expense to turn the
whole matter over to the free-trade at
torneys, the importers, and the repre-
lsentatives of European Governments in
the United States. Our Congress, being
thus relieved of the burdens and re-
sponsibilities of legislation, might turn
its attention to plans and specifications
for relieving the condition of the desti-
tute savages of Patagonia, or to some
other equally beneficent work cf char
ity.
HARSH CRITICISM.
Los Angeles Express: Fridays issue
of the San Francisco newspapers con-
tains the information that the proposed
Carnival of the Golden Gate has been
abandoned. a meeting of the committee
was held. at which a final report of
the financial managers was rendered
to the effect that only S1i. 900 had been
| raised out of the So5 000 that Voc cor,