The record-union., 1897-03-11

ing main roads French rural pros
perity can be traced in no small degree
to its excellent roads The substitu-
ton of solidly built road for a dirt
road soon effects a transformation in
the region through which it passes, and
even the old topography seems to van
ish. Improved accessibility tells upon
every farm and adds to its value. Time
and money, which are usually equiva-
lent, are saved to the farmer and to all
whose business it is to communicate
with him. Economy is consulted as
we'll as convenience Now that the
rural inhabitant is expected to bear but
portion of the expense of good roads.
his disposition toward the movement is
changing. With a dozen States already
engaged in the reform, its extension
promises to be rapid.
SENSATIONAL JOURNALISM.
Alameda Argus: The trial and con-
viction of a rich Chicago newspaper
publisher for sending his obscene jour-
nal through the mails; the action of the
managers of the Portland library in re-
of sensational San Francisco news
paper; the introduction of bill in the
National Congress closing the United
States mails to prints that contain ac-
counts or pictures of prize fights, and
the proposal of the New York Legisla
ture to enact law making it a misde
meanor for a newspaper to publish the
picture of any person without
the persons consent are evil
dences of a public awakening to
a realization of the full meaning of the
term New Journalism 1t is also an
indication of purpose to curb it, and
restrict in some measure it's power for
injury to public morals. The crusade
of law and decency has but just begun.
1t will manifest itself in more pro-
nounced form.
IT'S OPINION.
Woodland Daily Democrat: The
Record Union" has the candor to re-
mark that the inaugural address of
President Mckinley is disappointing
because it lacks "positiveness and as
sertion of policies with that clearness
of faith and answering belief in them
that would in itself inspire confidence"
document but we refrained from ex-
pressing it lest it should be said that
our criticism was inspired by partisan
bias and prejudice.
WOOL AND SHEEP IN CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Times: The California
Agricultural Bureau publishes some
statistics that are in the light Of a
revelation to the well-wishers of this
State. Its figures in relation to the
sheep industry are particularly instruc-
tive, as the report notes it's decline
from 1876, when our 100000 of sheep
yielded 56550, $40 pounds of wool,
which, at 10 cents per pound in San
Francisco, brought in about S10000,-
600 to the present time, when about p
O3O00O sheep yielded wool product
last year of only u. 195, $50 pounds. of
value hardly more than nominal The
report goes on to say that the future of
this industry must be largely depen-
dent hereafter upon tariff legislation
on the part of Congress. The report,
however, seems to overlook one very
material point in our favor as intelli-
gent breeders-that last year, as COM
pared with 1876. we produced almost
one-third as many sheep as we had
during the Centennial year. This de-
notes an unquestionable improvement
in the breeds of sheep.
IT MIGHT BE PRIMED.
Los Angeles Herald. The editor of
the Sacramento Record Union" in re-
viewing the "Herald's'' late criticism of
the divorce laws, comedies generally
in our views. but believes that we
might have been more sweeping Our
contemporary is disposed to be skepti-
cal of any real benefit to accrue from
so slight a modification of a faulty sys-
tenn as that which is presented by the
amendment prescribing the period
within which a divorced person may
lawfully marry.
There is much to be said in favor of
this more radical view. We were dis
posed to be conservative in our treat
ment of the subject. inasmuch as the
law as it now stands is the result Of re-
peated amendments and notifications
extending through many years, and it
ought to stand as the sum of mature
experience in that direction
But if it is true that every tree may
be known by its fruit, and we dispas-
sionately examine the apples that ripen
upon the divorce tree of the State, we
are prepared to respond to our contem-
porary's query as to What shall be the
remedy" by saying that at least three
of the six branches might be Topped off
as an experiment and the remaining
three branches be carefully pruned.
HOW TO TREAT EN-.
Marysville Appeal: The success of
sensational publications should not be
taken as a criterion of all from q moral
standpoint. Their success is made by
the patronage of people supposed to
have the teachings of our schools and
churches. a circumstance which leads
one to believe that they should be able
to appreciate the difference between
right and wrong. The future of sensa-
tional journalism is dependent upon the
intelligence of the people. There is no
use trying TO legislate against. neither
is there reason. where free government