The record-union., 1899-06-11


Sutro of San Francisco, and if pinch
ing time should come and the creditors
Of the estate were to get into hurry
for their money there might not be
so very much left out of the estate,
after ALL
A NEW ISSUE.
+ Fresno Republican: The Croker $40
banquet had the effect of bringing for
ward an unexpected issue. The ora
tors at that banquet knew that they
were in company where applause could
be gained by twisting the lions tail,
SO they proceeded to twist. The result
has been to arouse renewed discussion
Of the question of an alliance with
England which nobody definitely pro-
poses or favors, but which nevertheless
needs discussion if for nothing else
than to expose the true nature of the
man of straw which the Crokerites are
bombarding. There is vast deal OF
interchange of newspaper courtesies,
these days, between England and
America, which is doubtless signifi-
cant. but need net be taken as too
significant There has never been any
such breach between the two countries
as popular talk has indicated, and such
breach as there was still exists. The
individual Englishman who regarded
the American as a vulgar uniformed
creature who might do to trade with
but could not possibly be admitted
within the pale, doubtless retains his
opinions and prejudices still. The lndi-
vidual American who regarded it as a
personal affront because an English
man could not talk English-such Eng
lish as he spoke at least-and affected
certain mannerisms which could not
possibly be natural because they were
not natural to an American, doubtless
retains his opinion. A ridlculousiy
large part of the estrangement between
the two peoples has always been paseo
on such petty things as these, ana
this part has. probably not grown less.
1t has merely ceased to be the part
most talked about.
Ukiah Repu5lican-Press: Several OF
our highly esteemed contemporaries
are severely critieisfng the proclama-
ton issued by the Philippine Commis-
sioners on the ground that it is more
or less indefinite Would these journal
istic solonS kindly indicate how it could
be otherwise when the country's policy
in regard to the islands can only be
decided by Congress?
THE ART OF KILLING BUSINESS.
Santa Cruz Sentinel: A member Of the
Texas Legislature, says an exchange,
who asked Governor Jones of Arkansas
if recent legislation in the latter State
relating to business combinations has
injured trade interests, received a frank
response The Governor of Arkansas
says: Business is disturbed, but to
what extent I cannot now inform YOU"
1t is also stated by the Governor that
all foreign fire insurance companies,
numbering sixty-three, have ceased to
do business in Arkansas and that fire
insurance policies can now be OBJ
tanned only in two mutual companies,
organized and incorporated under the
laws of the State. This is the first de-
velopment under a law passed cstensi-
bly, against trusts How any trust is
hit or hurt by the Punishment of sixty
three insurance companies, leaving
only two as a working remainder, is
not perceptible. The sufferers are the
owners of Arkansas property liable to
be destroyed by fire. Their proper pro-
lection by two companies is impossible.
As consequence their capital may be
swept away by fire and their credit is
questioned and curtailed accordingly.
Wars against trusts ought to reach
the right mark. The Arkansas law has
struck a paralyzing blow at the mass
of Industrious citizens of the State.
They met in an exceptionally large and
earnest convention to ask its repeal
but the grip of demagogy is upon the
Legislature and the session has ended
without relief. Political cant has tri-
umphed over common sense. The sixty
three fire insurance companies expelled
from Arkansas spent much money there
and employed many deserving citizens
in various capacities. Their large num-
Der stood for competition not monop-
oily. Only two home companies are left
to make good the fire losses in a large
State. Is this the remedy for monop-
oily? It certainly looks like an extra
ordinary concentration of business in a
few hands, in two corporations instead
of siXty-five. Arkansas is taking its
Democratic medicine in heroic doses.