The record-union., 1897-06-07
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
Extracts From Editorial Expression Of
Journals
Of the State and the Coast on Sub
jects of Living and News
Interest.

Oakland Times: There is surpris-
ingly large number of people in this
State who will find no fault with the
turn of affairs in the Durrant case
which promises a delay of several
months in the date of Durrants execu-
ton. The interests of justice are not
injured in the least by this postpone
ment and it affords opportunity for
bringing to light evidence in his behalf
If any such evidence exists. When
man of Judge Beatty's character de-
clares that the State did not prove It's
case in the Durrant trial laymen can
we'll afford to curb their feelings or
bloodthirstiness for a few months
Locked up within the walls of San
Quentin Durrant is undergoing the pun
ishment of a living death and his exc
cution after the United States Supreme
Court has passed upon the case will
meet the demands of justice quite as
well as though it occurred week from
to-day. Detective Harry Morse, who
has had a great deal Of experience With
criminals. says ne is as firmly con-
WINGED to-day of Durrant's innocence as
he was in the early stages of the case
dished up that column and a half of
stuff in a San Francisco morning paper
yesterday, purporting to be an interview
with the father of Durrant, We're con-
demned to a life term at hard labor with
one day of solitary confinement twice
each six months, the public generally
would have occasion for rejoicing.
A DIFFICULT ACT.
Stockton Mail: Spanish paper re-
marks: THE Spanish people despise
the jingoes of the United States and
know how to spit in their faces one hum
dred times The Spanish people must
have been perfecting themselves in the
difficult art of splitting backward While
on the wing.
A ONE-SIDED PROVISION.
Los Angeles Herald: The proposed
reciprocity clause in the tariff bill au-
thorizes the President to increase duties
f % per cent. on goods from any country
imported to the United States in case it
charges our country a greater duty than
it charges any other country. The pro-
lection organs are pointing with gleeful
pride to this clause and telling what a
great benefit it win be in operation.
The reciprocity clause protects the
manufacturer, the producer; but the
consumer is left out in the cold. If a
clause should be inserted in the tariff
bill to the effect that whenever
monopoly or trust is effected with any
protected articles SO that the price OF
the article is raised to the consumer,
the President is authorized to lower the
duty on the article so as to admit Of
competition, there would be some sense
in it. But the proposed high tariff law
is almost wholly in the interests of the
trusts and monopolies, and the reduc-
ton clause would destroy their best laid
plans
The Senate-D ingley hybrid, by and
large, is a fraud, an imposition, snare
and a deIusion. 1t is class legislation in
favor of the classes that have become
the most dangerous enemies that con-
front and threaten the people at the
present time.
TIMES BETTER.
Solano Republican: President Nc
Kinley has only been in office a short
time. and already his opponents are
criticising his administration because
prosperity did not come in bound.
They predict depression and regard
the future prospects as being gloomy
If the matter is properly investigated
it will be found that the condition of
business is better to-day than it was
this time last year. So far this year
failures have been less and prices of
wheat, corn. hogs, cattle and farm pro-
ducts of all kinds have increased. Pros
perity Will come gradually and the pres
ent administration will not disappoint
the expectations of those who rallied TO
the Republican cause last fall.
WASTING BREATH.
San Jose Herald: Jerry Simpson is
wasting breath and energy in the
House by denouncing Speaker Reed
for his refusal to appoint committees
and organize the House for business,
but Reed and his partisan hackers are
wasting time by their do nothing policy
and the people are not slow to recog-
nize the past. The conduct of the
Speaker and the Republican majority
has gone far to condemn the party.
Nothing more trifling and injudicious
has ever been witnessed in the National
Capitol
SINGULAR THINGS.
Alameda Argus: Trusts are singular
things Nothing is more certain than
that public sentiment is fierce against
them. and the main trend Of all law
making is to curb them; but really they
cheaper commodities to the poor, rath-
er than add to their price. Sugar was
never so cheap. Neither was coal oil.
The objection is not that prices are in
creased by big combinations, but that
individual effort is throttled and in
stead of having many independent bus
inesses there is only one in each line,
and men are reduced to dependent work
for a great central power. 1t breaks
up independent effort and independent
feeling. 1t destroys Individual enter
prise In this respect it is to be con-
demned. The enormous fortunes that
are piled up by the very few at the
head of trusts is another valid objec-
ton It is not SO good for the coun-
try to have one man worth twenty mil
lions as twenty worth a million apiece
A DEMOCRATIC REPLY.
Santa Rosa Democrat: There. will
be a time. and we believe it is near al
hand. when business men will cal