The record-union., 1898-04-01

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proved and indorsed by the people. This
is because he has moved cautiously, and
not until after he was satisfied that he
was right
NOT SO BAD.
San Jose Herald: The German exclu-
sion law against American fruits is not
as bad as it was at first thought to be
or as it was originally meant to be. That
is partly owing to vigorous kick by our
| official representatives in Germany.
What was originally intended for hos
tile measure has simmered down to one
of mere precaution. But it is just as
well to bear in mind that we are always
opposed by an element in Germany hos
tile to American importation and ready
to take advantage of any excuse to shut
us out. Somehow we don't think so well
of the protective system when it comes
in that guise.
THE PEOPLES VERDICT.
San Jose Mercury: Although the
court of inquiry could not fix the re-
sponsibility for the destruction of the
Maine, it's finding that the ship was
blown up by the explosion of carefully
prepared mine points conclusively to the
fact that it was the work of a Spanish
officer, and it will be SO accepted not
only by the people of the United States
but by the world at large.
THE CLOUD MAY PASS.
Stockton Republican,: President Nc
| Kinley is reported as still expressing
! the hope and belief that the difficulties
| between this country and Spain will be
adjusted without a resort to arms. Pos
sibly this would be the wise course for
him to pursue, even if he thought con-
flict almost inevitable. Above most
other things the head of the nation
should be discreet and conservative.
| And, too, the President may really
think he sees the way clear to free Cuba
and secure all just demands against
! Spain without resort to arms. There
may be good reason for the course that
has been pursued and this reason may
soon be plain to everybody
1t is well known that the American
authorities have more hope of a peace
able settlement of existing differences
with Sagasta and a liberal ministry
than they would hope with anybody
who might succeed them. Action on this
side of the ocean may have been timed
with reference to this fact. 1t may
have been deemed unwise to resort to ex-
treme measures preceding Sunday S
elections throughout Spain.
THE DREDGER BILL.
Vacaville Reporter: A great deal of
Interest was felt in the so-called dredger
bill when it was before the Legislature.
The efforts to secure it's passage were
little short of heroic 1t was felt that
lit meant under any circumstances a step
r1f
problem. Despite the lapse of time and
/ a generous appropriation nothing sub
stantial has been done. We desire to
enquire whether it is the purpose of the
Commissioner of Public Works to &C
before the Legislature at the next ses-
sion and ask for more money? In view
of the results up to date, we are of the
opinion the Commissioner will secure
scant attention unless mud begins to f1y
and something effective is done. The
main effort seems to be to build wing
dams 1t should be recalled that the
people said they wanted dredging done
1t is the money of the people and their
expressions should have some weight
Later on, if it seems best to them they
may declare in favor of wing dams
They have said dredger, and only that
up TO date.
AS TO A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT.
Stockton Independent: Talk of a
peaceful settlement of the difficulty
with Spain has caused a great popular
impatience as if it were an impossi-
bility. There is but one thing to pre-
vent peaceful settlement, and it must
be admitted that the one thing height
. ems the semblance of impossibility
That one thing is that Spain shall
yield before hostilities begin; make
ample reparation for the destruction OF
!, the Maine, the murder of 260 Ameri-
can seamen, besides doing justice tc
Cuba. Should Spain yield and make
peaceful settlement the victory fol
the United States would be greater
than one gained by war, and it is evi-
J dent that President Mckinley hopes
for such a settlement.
NOTHING POLITICAL IN 1T.
San Diego Union: There is no wal
yet, and the sensible and patriotic
people of this nation sincerely hope
that way may yet be found to aver
conflict. But if war does come, it i:
/ not going to be brought about for tht
sake of carrying the autumn election
of view, even if the President and hi:
advisers were base enough to plunge
the nation into war for party enos
there is nothing in the present con
: dftions that would make such resor
necessary Besides, to a country a:
poorly prepared as the United States
; war would be a very doubtful expedi
ent from a politicians standpoint AS
,
mately win, the United States NIGH
/ not be successful in the preliminarie:
. of the struggle, and it would be upor
, the outcome of the first few weeks O
the contest that the autumn election:
might turn. President Mckinley ant
his Cabinet are not shaping this coun
try's foreign policy with view to in
f1uencing home politics. Insinuation:
OF such action are as absurd as they
are unpatriotic.
A PEACEFUL CENTURY.
Tulare Register: The century il
which it has pleased God to have us
, live has surpassed any other century
and, almost might we say, all other
centuries in it's measure of human pro
gress, and chiefly for the reason thai
after the close of the Napoleonic war:
, Ability with a capital A) was able tt
transfer it's sphere of action from wal
to industry. That is the true explana-
ton of the marvellous progress of tht
nineteenth century. Before 1915 the
entire profits and savings of human en-.
deavor We're periodically swallowed III
: in ruthless wars for conquest, for al
legged honor, for rights of succession
for reason of jealousies between rulers