The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-02
VOICE OF The PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSIONS.
State and Coast Opinions ON Sub
jects Of Living News
Interest.

surpassed by any nation, and we are
| inclined to think it has never been
equaled. Not one disaster has occurred
to the long list of transports that have
come and gone across the Pacific. The
management of the transport service
| has been all that could be desired, and
has contributed not littleAto the sue
cess of our operations in the Philip
pines.
THE PHILIPPINE POLICY.
Contra Costa Gazette: The New
York Journal" has again demanded of
the President that he speak out and
announce a definite policy concerning
the Philippines, and the Cincinnati
Enquirer joins in the echo. Yet
both of these yellow sheets know that
the President has no authority to an
nounce permanent policy which this
country shall assume toward any of
the territory acquired from Spain. This
prerogative lies solely with Congress
and these papers well know it, but they
count on deceiving people who may
not know. They would create the i'm
preston, and they intimate that the
President lacks backbone, and that he
is afraid to declare purpose toward
the Philippines. 1t is simply an at
tempt to make political capital by as
suming that everybody believes the
President has the right to establish a
permanent government in the islands,
but that he wants the courage to eXer-
else it.
BEING AMERICANIZED.
Santa Cruz Sentinel: General Henry
says the Porto Ricans are learning the
English language. General Wood has
made a similar report regarding the peo-
pie of Santiago. The same thing is
true of the people of Havana. This
signifies not only that POLITICAL COM
mercial and social transactions may
soon be carried on with these islanders
in English, but that they will read
American newspapers and through
them acquire American ideas, the
American way of looking at things and
American habits of life. At the first
glance the idea of changing the Ian
guage in the islands seems Utopian,
but the process is going forward with
out other propulsion than the desire
of the people. The youthful Cubans
and Porto Ricans are studying Eng
lish, and, as they acquire it, they read
they read to those about them. They
will soon be reading American books
and magazines and taking an intelli-
gent interest in the affairs of this re-
public And, as they attain to this,
they will. become Americanized, and
too, Americanized in a way that laws
and bayonets can never accomplish.
TOO BAD.
Yreka Journal; It is really too bad
that Mckinley fails to heed the ad-
vice of bowling Democratic editors, yet
should he do so, they would flop, be-
cause they are anything to be forninst
the Republicans. right or wrong. They
are running politics ahead of the coun-
try.
MAKING SENATORS.
Tulare Register: Senator Stewart
proposes to prevent deadlocks in Leg
islatures and likewise to prevent vacan-
cies in the upper house of Congress by
making a plurality serve, instead of a
majority. After balloting has lasted
a certain number Of days the candidate
with the highest number Of votes is to
be declared elected under Stewards
plan. This will be a good thing for the
Colonels and bosses and manipuiators.
AS a rule we need provision for keep
ing unfit men out of the Senate, rather
| than making it easier for anyone to get
in. So far as the vacancies are con-
cerned, there are worse evils. We
have known of no State suffering be
cause of a lack of sufficient representa-
| ton in the Senate. Perhaps if the
| Nevada Senator gives his wheels an
other turn he may evolve something
worthy of consideration.
INCREASE IN WAGES.
Humboldt Standard: A few days
ago, at the final conference at Detroit,
the representatives, or wage commit
tee, of the Amalgamated Association of
Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, raised the
wages of $4,000 Workmen an average
of % per cent. and yet we have seen
nothing more than a paragraph of COM
ment upon the act, and not even that
much from the calamity howlers, who
are angry if they see prosperity COM
ing as the result of the protective pol
icy of the Government.
This vast army of skilled workmen
will carry, every week. % per cent.
more money into their homes to secure
the comforts of life to loved ones or
increase the growing bank account. 1t
is the largest increase in wages made
since the association had an existence
and it will make the wages paid to
the workmen the highest paid since
1892 This calls for more than a pass
ing thought. What does it mean?
Why, 1892 was the year of the high
water mark in wages of steel and iron
workers, and it was the year that saw
the defeat of the protective policy and
the election of a Congress which be-
leved in a low tariff on everything
and free trade in many of our pro-
ducts, such as hides and wool. 1t
seems strange that the year which saw
the election of a Congress and Presi-
dent pledged to overthrow the McKin-
ley tariff law, should be the year of
greatest prosperity, and that when that
victory for free trade was assured
wages went down, values shrunk and
shriveled, hard times came and help
booths and soup houses had to be es
tablished, even here in Eureka, to feed
and clothe the hungry and naked Yet
it was the case. The cry of the hun
cry workman for chance to toll for
wages is now seldom heard. If you
find an idle man now. you may rest
assured that he is idle from choice, for
all may now secure work 1t fair wages.
THE PLACE OF THE SOUTH.
Fresno Republican: Henry Watterson
issues an eloquent appeal to the people
of the Gulf States to arouse from their
lethargy and take an active hand in
fashioning the history of the Republic,
1t is a strong plea in a good cause, but
it remains to be seen whether it will be
LIE Io of lnn South