The record-union., 1899-08-07

pounding of the waters in our noun
tains for the benefit of our farmers and
the State. for whatever benefits the
farming interests benefits the State at
large, but in furthering those interests
the lives and property of the farmers
and neighbours should be. protected as
far as possible.
CONFIDENCE IN OTIS.
Oakland Enquirer Notwithstanding
all the attacks upon Otis, President
McKinley's faith in him is said to be
unshaken, and he has recently sent an
expression of his confidence to the Cen
eral in MANILA And yet it is possible
that Otis may find soon that failing
health requires him to relinquish the
duties of active command. good
many military men have found their
health giving out shortly after they
had received expressions of confidence
| from superior officers, and there is
suspicion that this is the popular way
of letting them down easily.
A BEGINNING.
Fresno Democrat: Suit has been
commenced in Chicago against one OF
| the trusts for damages for running an
| individuals business There may De
more in this than would appear on the
! face Aside from the consideration
that it opens rich field of speculation
for the lawyer, it may open the way
for the only practical way of reaching
the trusts. and eventually lead to then
withdrawal from the field. Establish
the principle in a court of law or
equity that the individual is entitled
to damages for the ruination of his
business because of the unequal and
| unlawful competition that he is COM
PEELED to meet and establish the prln-
ciple that for this reason these trusts
are against public policy and therefore
illegal, and the way will be found to
drive them out of the field. II trust
| makes it impossible for a man to make
his livelihood because of ruinous COM
petition, inaugurated for the very pur-
pose of throttling individual enterprise
and effort, why should it not De
obliged to respond to him for damages
if the fact of it's ruinous tendency
can be brought home to it?
GENERAL LAYTON.
Alameda Argus: The political pro-
moter is always casting about for
something or some one to promote. The
members of the guild in Southern Cal
ifQrnia are now mentioning" General
H. w. Lawton, noted Indian fighter
and second in command at Manila, for
United States Senator to succeed the
Hon. Stephen NJ White. 1t will be
news to a good many to learn that
General Lawton is a Californian; but
it seems that he lived at Redlands at
the breaking out of the late war, ana
owns homestead there yet. General
Lawton rendered brilliant service both
in Cuba and the Philippines, and un-
doubtedly knows nothing of the men
ton his name is getting in connection
with most important civic office.
WITHOUT A PARALLEL.
Livermore Herald: The Supreme
Court has decided that the office OF
Commissioner of Public Works does not
exist, having expired by limitation on
March 1st This will be a disappoGt-
ment not alone to the personal friends
of the Commissioner, Ed E. Leake, but
to all who favor the preservation OF
the navigable- streams of the State. Mr.
Leake and his. corps of able engineers
have accomplished more in that line
than all the State and Government
commissions that have essayed that
difficult work. combined. The Legisla-
ture of 1897 appropriated $3OO,OO0 for
channel correction and other WORKS
necessary to maintain the nayigabil1ty
of the Sacramento and San Joaquin
Rivers Mr.. Leake accomplished all
that was outlined in the report which,
was the basis for legislative action and
leaves fully tWe-thirds of the original
appropriation in the State Treasury.
This is a record without parallel in
this State of extravaganza in public
works, and it is little short of calam-
ity that an official who has rendered
such a good account of his stewardship
should be retired when there is so much
work needed on the rivers. 1t is to
be hoped that the next Legislature will
recreate the office and that a compe-
tent man will be selected to continue
the work on the lines laid down by the
late Commissioner.
COOLEY TRUSTS.
Humboldt Times: A very recent de-
cision of the Supreme Court of Indi-
ana goes long ways towards solving
the much mooted trust" question. 1t
lays down the principle that independ-
ent of any legislation upon the ques-
ton the courts can deal with it upon
the ground of public policy. For this
reason it is exciting no little interest
throughout the country and is OF much
Importance Should this principle be
followed by the courts of other States,
and we see no reason why it should
not be, it removes the question OF
trusts entirely from the domain of
politics, and very largely from legisla-
tive consideration. AS we understand
it they have no antitrust legislation In
the State of Indiana; at least this de-
cision is not founded upon any but
upon equity and public policy:
1t seems that two gas companies en-
tered into an agreement whereby they
were to charge the same rates for gas,
and each refused to sell gas. to any
one who had quit the other company
The State brought an action to annul
their charters upon the ground that
they were abusing the corporate rights
conferred on them by the state, by
combining against consumers
T. doo;d;pu tho case against the