The record-union., 1897-08-03

assume all the responsibility. Queer
people, these Democrats, and awfully
hard TO please.
UNIFORM MARRIAGE LAW.
Santa Cruz Sentinel: 1t is the high
est time that the different States agree
upon uniform carriage laws, because
under the present conditions there is
actually nothing to prevent married
person from obtaining divorce With
out the knowledge OF the mate and TO
marry again as often as he or she
pleases. There are twelve States in the
Union where such divorces can be OBJ
tanned. For many years this subject
of uniform marriage and divorce laws
has been discussed by social reformers,
but the remedies are difficult to deter
mine. No one can seriously think of
permitting Congress to pass national
act, as this would be an excuse for an
extension of centralized powers dan
gerouS to experiment with. On the
other hand, to get forty-four States,
with different conditions and social
ideas, to agree upon uniform law is
almost an impossibility The discord
and confusion resulting in big coun-
try like this from conflicting State leg
islation in many matters similar to the
one in point is appalling. Possibly the
only thing left is the hope that grow
ing morality and public sentiment will
hold the marriage relation more sacred.
A WHEEL TANGLE.
Fresno Republican: Mrs. Lease
shares in the growing opinion that the
Democracy won't ride on an 1896 model
in 1900.-Chronicle.
If Mary Ellen refers to that Popo-
cratic tandem she horoscopes the flu
ture with prophetic inspiration of the
genuine, all-wool and yardwide kind.
Tom Watson has yanked the rear wheel
off that celebrated machine and is go
ing to exhibit it in the middle of the
road next time as a horrible example
and solemn warning to everybody con-
cerned.
JUTE BAGS.
Dixon Tribune: California farmers
who have been misled into the belief
that they might be benefited by pro-
tectiVe legislation will find in the tax
on the jute bags in which they ship
their staple product a constant remind
er of the injustice of protective legis-
lation, and a practical Illustration of
how it may be made oppressive to
many for the benefit of a few should
have its effect. The Republican man
ayers. in discriminating against certain
sections of the country and in favor
of others, as they have done in the
new tariff bill, have manifested a
short sighted policy which many of
= l,Ns- Il
! ly from a political standpoint and with
out regard for the hardships which the
| legislation will entail upon millions who
cannot be benefited by the bill, the Re
publicans could not have framed a
| measure more satisfactory to the mi
nority in both houses.
A GOVERNMENT ARMOR PLANT.
Los Angeles Times: A Washington
dispatch states that the armor- produc-
ing companies have declined to furnish
the Navy Department the armor need
ed for the three battleShipS now build
ing, at the price fixed by Congress.
which is $500 per ton. 1t is further
stated that Secretary Long has taken
the second step marked out by Con-
gress. and has called upon the ship
for procuring and fitting the armor 1t
is anticipated, however, that these COM
panies will decline the proposal, in
which event Secretary Long will APP
point board of officers, in accordance
with the direction of Congress, to for
mulate plan for the establishment of
a Government armor plant.
This course of procedure appears to
be eminently rational and sensible. For
years we have had endless trouble over
this vexing question of armor plate.
Extremely high prices have been paid
in many cases for an inferior product
There can be no question that the Gov
eminent has been defrauded on many
| of its contracts, and our warships have
suffered in efficiency by reason of de-
fectiye armor, while they have cost
more than they ought. 1t is question
whether the whole system of naval
! construction by private contract ought
not to be abolished, to be succeeded by
the establishment of Government works
of sufficient capacity TO turn out all the
Warships needed by the Government,
and to do all the repair work needed to
keep the Government ships in order
The plan has much to commend it. and
no very strong arguments have been or
| can be advanced against it.
A RETIREMENT.
| Red Bluff Peoples Cause: One of the
| Civil Code amendments made by the
| Legislature at its last session will do
away with lot of frivolous appeals if
it is strictly followed by the courts,
as it should be 1t provides that there
| shall be no presumption that error is
prejudiced or that injury was done if
error is shown and that the court must,