The San Francisco call., 1898-04-24

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 A friend suggests that I try to engi- neer this modest department for one week without abusing anybody. l fear from this that he has misconception of the motives which underlie the be- nign criticism he terms "abuSe." l do not write harshly from any love of say ing aught in malice or to wound. But there is not always necessity for ex tolling virtue, it is known to be good, whereas it is a plain duty to expose the i'll which assumes the garb of vir- tue and parades annoyingly.
 The poetry received this week will never reach the public if I can help it. l say this out of regard for the pub lie, which Is having trouble enough.
 There could not well have been a thing more shameless than the New York Journals offer to a minister to write up the "Tenderloin," save the preachers acceptance. A minister who would leave his regular calling to wan der among scenes of debauchery al- ready known to exist, repeatedly ex- plotted, and revelations concerning which could serve no purpose of de- cency, stamps himself by that act as grossly perverted, vile of instinct and fitted to be a denizen of the haunts of sin instead of paid spectator. Ac- cording to contemporaries of the Jour- nal the minister who thus thrust him. self into temptation found there con- genial company at his natural level. lie did not work a reformation, but he Is now a subject for reform. Hearst is probably proud of this feat He can delegate somebody to write up the minister, and thus his continual per- formance show proceed without inter- ruption. But I do not think the fall of this minister a notable episode It was not attended by an impressive plunk. He had such a short distance to fall.
 Not having any knowledge of naval affairs l can discuss them with the same freedom now being employed by lot of correspondents who are in the same fix. The difference is that they do not seem to have grasped the truth patent enough to everybody else. They
 
 tion is complete, their conclusions flaw less. I concede that my information may be all wrong, and my conclusions knocked into a cooked hat at the first engagement. It does not seem to me that the fear of torpedo-boats sinking our battle-shipS rests on any basis of fact or reason. It is true that these little boats under certain conditions can do serious damage, but conditions in sudden fight are not made to order Provided the water be calm, the battle ships searchlamp thoughtfully eXtin- guiShed to save the wear on the elec- tric wire, the crew asleep, the lookout below playing craps, the torpedo-boat will be formidable enemy. But until the torpedo boat shall acquire the knack of keeping afloat when there is a breeze, and can get itself enveloped in invisible paint, it's principal part in the tragedies of war will be in taking a short course to the bottom of the deep blue sea- This belief is far from off, cial, and it is subject to amendment. I can amend it when necessary. This for the benefit of friends who might try to do it for me.
 
 Of course every composing room Is governed by certain set of rules, but when in time of war I write God of battles" there is going to be capital G CT trouble.
 It is strange circumstance that the arrest of Treasurer Widber should be the occasion of expressions of sym pathy for him. There never before came under my observation a case of larceny so mean and low. Widber had been chosen to a position of trust, at tached to which there is an income suf- ficient to permit a life of reasonable luxury, an income several times greater than most men ever hope to attain. Yet he turned thief because the instinct was in him. He betrayed the public and his friends because to do so was more natural than for him to be honest. The affair is worse than merely criminal It is disgusting and repellant. There is an instinctive re- spect for the courage of the bandit, but disregard for the sneak thief is con- plete. Widber did not have even the
  make it yield a scant return in pleas ures of themselves decent. He sought compAnionship from which a scalawag with some vague shadow of remaining self-respect would have shrunk as de- basing and distasteful. He bet on the races without having the thrill of sec ing the horses run. Now he complains that friends have deserted him. It is to be fervently hoped that Widber's punishment shall be speedy and ade- quate. He deserves life sentence for the crime itself, and forty years extra for having the nerve to reproach those to whom he proved traitor.
 California would feel a thrill of pride to see Governor Budd go to the front If wit h his fire helmet a hand crranada