The record-union., 1898-04-11

son even the herds and flocks would
do untold damage to the shrubs and
grass that do so much to retain the
moisture and give out gradually
through the springs for the use of irri-
gators in the valleys. And our water
supply is even more important than
the stock industry.
IN SONOMA.
Sebastopol Times: In Sonoma Coun-
ty the disastrous effects of an INSULT
cheney of rain and more than suffl-
cheney of frost can be easily foreshad-
owed. Analy Township has not es-
capped the destructive stroke, and be it
said to our sorrow that we are about
to experience our third consecutive sea-
son of short crops. The grain gives
promise of a short yield, and pasture
land looks anything but encouraging.
This is due to the very light rainfall,
and if the ffoodgates of heaven do not
open at once the price Of hay will be
greater next season than it is at pres
ent. The fruit buds are suffering in
tensely from the frost, and half crop
is scarcely assured. OrchardiStS have
not given up in despair, however, as
they are counting on good prices for
whatever fruit they will have.
SEEING OURSELVES, ETC.
Oakland Tribune: An interesting ar
ticle has just been translated from u
native newspaper published in China
1t treats of the foreign devils" and
shows that over there they regard us
as far behind civilization as we do
them. For instance, the writer COM
plains that the foreigners eat meat
with knives and prongs, take enormous
quantities Of whisky, hurry with every
thing instead of resting like civilized
persons, jump around and kick balls
as if paid to do it, while on festive
occasions the women are compelled to
appear partly naked before every man
who likes to look at them, and are
dragged around the room to the accom-
paniment of the most discordant music.
Seeing ourselves as others see US is not
quite as complimentary after all, for il
must be admitted that there is good
deal of truth to most Of the criticisms.
TO PUNISH.
Mountain Echo: When a man sees a
weak one prosecuted and refuses 20
side with the weak he is no man. The
rule for a man is the rule for a nation
Murder of women and children, help
less and enfeebled and starving, is at
our door; at last we begin to appreci-
ate it, The broken lives. their un-
timely deaths, their rights to a happier
condition, are making themselves slow
ly understood among our people.
Every stratum of society is permeated.
The great underlying love of fair play
is stirring this nation, North and
South. And it is girding itself to pun
ish, and not to wage war.
CATFISH EGGS.
Fresno Republican: Now that the
discovery has been made that eggs OF
the catfish make the finest caviar
known to the trade, the companion
pest of carp in California streams may
prove to be the nucleus of an import
ant industry. AS for the carp--well,
anything produced by carp cannot be
"doctored" into food fit for human con-
sumption.
BOARD OF TRADE REPORT.
San Jose Mercury: The State Board
of Trade desires suggestions from fruit
growers and others concerning the
most effective method of exhibiting our
fruits and other products at the Paris
Exposition. The sole purpose of the
exhibit will be to create a greater de-
mand for those products, and the PRO
ducers should be glad to make such
practical suggestions as may occur to
them.
CLARA BARTON.
Los Angeles Herald: Clara Barton is
not the woman to shrink from personal
danger and yet it is difficult to recon-
cile her departure from Cuba at tins
juncture upon any other theory than
that, in the estimation of her friends,
at least. she may not longer remain
with safety. Some weeks ago she made
application to General Blanco for per-
mission to put the reconcentrados OF
certain locality at work upon adjacent
vacant ground, and thus produce FOOD
for their sustenance. The request was
not only denied, but she was charged
with endeavoring to promote an annex
alton scheme, under the cloak OF CHAR
ity. and warned to desist. With the
means at hand, and considering the re-
luctance with which Spanish authorl-
ties have permitted her to pursue her
efforts, she has achieved wonderful re-
suits, and her withdrawal from the Held
| would be deplored but for the promise
that the United States is getting ready
| to go into the relief business upon
much larger scale very soon.
THE YELLOWS.
Los Angeles Times: The yellow jour.
nails are not yet discouraged. A WIG
rumor that General Lee had slapped
| General Blancos face and was AFTER
ward assassinated was officially denied
| yesterday. The ''yellows" can XIII
| their own news if nothing else when
they get hard up.
If UNDERTAKEN, DO IT.
| Stockton Record: 1t is not our duty
| to convert Cuba into a Hayti, where
mad passions and gross ignorance have
| undisputed sway. We cannot conscl-
| entiously free Cuba only to make hei
a prey to cupidity-an arena for petty
| tyrants and shameless adventures. Ii
! the task is undertaken, let 1t be done
so thoroughly that her Government viii
| be a model for all the Spanish Amer
| lean States. It would be nationa-
| crime to punish Spain and renoVate
| the island merely to plant the seeds
| of future revolution, anarchy and sur
| fering War should end the troubles
there. We are not justified in our