davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
OUR STATE LEGISLATURES.

MA R. SYDNEY WEBB, who is now delivering a
course of lectures at the London School of
Economics and Political Science on the work
ing OF the American constitution, has been giving ut
terance to some very decided opinions upon our State
government md a brief review published in the
London Chronicle of one of his lectures on that sub
ject contains much that will be interesting if for no
other reason than that of showing what an ntelli-
gent foreign critic thinks of them.
The lecturer notes in the first place that American
and to considerable number of home people, than
almost any other civilized governments known to po-
tical science He attributes this obscurity to the
custom of establishing the State government not in
the metropolis of the State, but in a small provincial
town where people rarely 60 The executive offices
are therefore hidden from the public Then the Leg
isatures restricted in all sorts of ways by State
constitutions and in most States sit but once in two
years and then for limited time
Speaking of the effects of these conditions Mr..
Webb went on to say that although the American
States nominaly deal with many othe most important
departments OF government such as education, fac
tory legislation, sanitation the criminal code, the
police and practically the whole law of property and
contracts, they rapidly shrinking up and occupy
ing ever-dwindlng share of public interest There
are speaking broadly, distinctvely State politics.
The result is that the State Legislatures are even less
under public control than Congress- State elections
are often hoty contested but invariably as part of the
general Presidential campaign never on local issues
Under these circumstances results the most extensive
exhibition OF legislative futility that the world has
yet The forty odd State Legislatures soemnlv
go on grinding out new laws, but, except in one or
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
OUR BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES

JAR in the Philippines is no longer what it
\N| in the early days OF the contest with Spain
We have no longer nation great in history
for oe and there is chance for another thrilling
and spectacular victory like that which Dewey won
in Manila harbor. The romance and the glory of
the contest over, and we have now reached that
stage of war where there is nothing but weary
marches, daily fighting with ambushed or flying
foe, and continuous exposure to conditions that
breed disease and threaten death.
Just for the that there is longer any
glory in the war, the campaign which Otis is
waging is far trying test of the stuff sol
diers made of than that splendid feat of naval
that destroyed the Spanish feet in the Orient
and aroused the nations to recognition OF the fact
that the United States have become world power
ndeed-one to be reckoned with in all questions OF
supremacy at sea, having not only great ships and
great guns but the courage and skill required
them with efficiency in battle.
The who driving the followers of Agun-
aldo from the iungeS and the marshes OF the island
OF Luzon are fighting under the most adverse con-
ditions. The Filipino is savage the American
Indian, and even more cunning. If he anything
like good marksman he would in his rice fields and
canebrakes be one of the formidable barbarians
in the world. 1t is, therefore, easy task that
boys have before them. 1t is going to be diff
cult 10 whip the flHplnO thdn the SpanlarQ, ana
there will be no glory in it when done.
The campaign against Agunaldo has been con-
Quoted with untiring energy and with conspicuous
valor The natives have been taught the difference
between Americans and Spaniards, and the effect OF
the lesson cannot fail to be wholesome. There has
been halt in the swift pursuit of the flying enemy
The end cannot be far off Before the rainy season
sets in the island OF Luzon at least all the culti
waited districts will probably be cleared OF the armed
bands of Aguinaldo who have been levying tribute
on the inhabitants and rendering industry we'll nigh
impossible.
The country watch with pride the manner in
which her volunteers bearing themselves under
the tropical and the harassng burdens OF this
wretched war. They showing not only valor on
the field of battle, but steady discipline in the camp
and the march, which proves them to be worthy
OF the best traditions OF the armies of the republic
The whole OF the Philippine campaign could
indeed be regarded with national pride and satisfaction
were it that it entails sacrifice of brave for
the sake of victory that will be worth nothing to
this or to any other generation.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

two States these badly drafted and SO chaotic
that if they are not declared void the first time
they come before the courts they for the most
part not enforced.
While objections might be urged to some of the
points of that arraignment, the justice OF it generally
cannot be denied Despite the great importance OF
the subjects OF legislation reserved for them to deal
with, it is unquesonaby State Legislatures
come very deserving the reproach of being
the most extensive exhibition OF legislative futility
the world has yet seem
1t is of to be regretted that such should be
the case for notwithstanding the restrictions placed
upon them it is within the power of these legislative
bodies to be OF usefulness in promoting the well
fare of the commonwealths they serve. Mr.. Webb
in when he attributes the futilty OF the Legis
ature in any great degree the fact that State gov
ernmens established in small towns. Thetrue cause
OF the evil is the quality OF men who serve in the
Legislature. Whenever the American people develop
such true loyalty that the best citizens will be will
ing to the State in the Legislature then the age
OF futity in State governments will pass away and
OF activity and usefulness begin.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
JUDGE MOGHNS CHARGE.

HE CALLS criticism OF Judge Mogans charge
to the jury in the Jones case was founded upon
a report in morning paper which purported to
contain synopsis OF one OF its paragraphs We re-
luctanty assumed its truth, for Judge Mogan has not
previously given any ground for believing that he
would deliberately deliver charge calculated to effect
the acquittal OF the accused in this case We there
fore cheerully what he says with reference to
the matter in interview with Call reporter yeser
day. Undoubtedly, as he AYERS defendant has a
right to request the deliver certain nstruc-
tons but the right of the to refuse to deliver
instructions which will prejudice the case in either
direction is also undoubted. When the evidence
shows that an accused person is guilty a criminal
Judge has moral right to accept instructions which
il needed by the jury, will cause his acquittal
Judge Mogan in his judicial robes IS supposed to
be stern and unrelentng minister Of justice He is
not placed upon the bench OF the Police Court to act
a dummy for any attorney, and when he perceives
that the proof in specified case establishes the guilt
OF person charged with crime it is his duty to main
tain the law with such severity as he may think the
case demands.
We credited the report upon which our criticism
founded more because OF the result in the ZONES
case than because we thought Judge Mogan had de-
berately attempted to acquit the accused The
evidence clear that Jones had committed the
ofense OF gambling at the Ingleside racetrack Yet
the jury stood ten to two for acquitta 1t seemed to
Us that unless the jury was composed of men
avowedly in sympathy with racetrack gambling such
a result would be impossible. II the Ingleside gam
blers fixing juries in Judge Mogans court it is
his duty to put a stop to the practice
We are not disposed to hold Judges to a too strict
accountability, for we know that their powers are
limited and that the wool is frequently pulled over
their eyes by the tricky lawyers and officials who sur
round them. But Judge Mogan is a capable man.
who thoroughly understands his business and if is to
be hoped that he will keep his eyes open when the
cases OF these Ingleside gamblers come before him
What have said will do him no harm if its effect
shall be to arouse him to renewed vigilance He
will be judged finally according to the whole record
not by the result in a specified case.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
ANTI-NEWSPAPER LEGISLATION.

THE Evening Post of this city-or rather the
Southern Pacific Company through the agency
OF the Evening Post-has fastened to defend the
Southern Pacific Company against the accusation of
The Call that the railroad the SPONSOR agitator
and defender of the antinewspaper legislation which
was adopted at the last session of the Legislature and
which was made operative by the signature of Gov
ernor Gage. The Post asks The. Call to submit the
proofs of its accusation.
1t seems like carrying Goals to Newcastle to
the request but if the Post is seeking information it
is referred to the author of its editorial, which
denies railroad responsibility and insists upon the JUS
tice of the antinewspaper laws and to the con-
ference between William F Herrin and c. P Hun
tington At that conference the campaign against
independent newspapers planned The editorial
request of the Post is one of the first skrmshes of
the Southern Pacific Company in the fight to silence
honest newspaper criticism.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

To the Editor of the San Francisco
Call-Sir: Please permit me to answer a
letter recently published in your paper
in opposition to the extension of the park
panhandle. The letter was written by a
man who owns house and lot on the
line Of the projected improvement, to
which he is therefore opposed. He does
not want to move out of the way. He
takes short view, consulting his own
interests. We want men in San Fran
cisco who are capable of taking broad
views and who desire to give to this
Western city as much beauty and COM
fort as the hundreds of thousands of
Americans annually seek In Europe.
Paris, Vienna, Berlin and London have
within the last thirty years hewn down
solid blocks of buildings at an enormous
expense in order to beautify their cities
by making parks and boulevards. They
bring their parks by spacious avenues
into the very heart of these cities, and as
a result there is not only a happy and
contented population, but there are my
riads of visitors making homes in places
which consider the pleasant side of life
and the happiness and health, as we'll as
the commerce and trade, of it's people.
How many men Of your acquaintance
do not go to the park because of the
difficulties of getting there? They want
TO be able to drive or ride or bicycle or
walk from as near their homes and places
Of business as possible.
Encouraging the use of the park would
confer health upon the hard-workers of
the great city. The poor man will be
lured by the beautiful picture, trees anu
lawns, to walk where he now rides.
Instead of destruction of beautiful
property" according to your correspond
ent, it will be the improvement and bet
terment of property, which has no great
value nor beauty, and which is used
but in part-large sections of it being un-
occupied.
Instead of abandoned carhouses, rook-
cries, and an occasional dwelling, there
will be a public common for the benefit
and use of all. Your correspondent says
that the benefits will accrue instead of to
the public, to contractors and builders
and to their followers" There is much
truth in this. These people will derive
benefit, but who are they? They are the
laborers and mechanics of San Fran
cisco-carpenters, plumbers, material
men, cabinet-makers, furniture-makers
and all employments and vocations hav-
ing to do with the construction and fur
nishing of house.
He shows his ignorance by saying that
another class who profit are those who
have the handling of the Phebe Hearst
donation for beautifying the city" There
is no such fund. Mrs. Hearst is merely
going to provide a plan and the money
will afterward have to be raised. He
says it is only for chose who can afford
to drive out for pleasure If this
gentleman goes to the park on a holiday
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
a FIGHT FOR DECENCY.

THE CALLS fight for decency has been won.
AS d result pornographc pictures in local phono-
graph galleries will have to be turned toward
the wall John Carroll the first of the proprietors OF
such establishments be arrested by reason OF this
papers expose OF their vile exhibitions, has been
fined for his ofense and Acting Police Judge Barry
announced from the bench that his next offense OF
this character would be visited with the extreme pen
atty OF the law. similar fate, he said, would
take Carrols ellow-panderers of this particular form
OF pruriency.
The fine imposed on Carroll was altogether made
quate to the oense but the explained that it
fixed at the of $40 with the idea that the
law had been satisfied with such penalty but that
this being the prisoners first offense he might have
warning OF what he might expect in the future In
that view Of it exception be taken to the courts
judgment
In passing sentence upon Carroll Judge Barry took
occasion to vent his opinion concerning the style of
every statement published by this paper concerning
the evils OF the phonograph parlor it had been con-
Quoted up to the time OF the raid following the expose
The pictures are suggestively immoral" he said,
"and it is bad thing for children to be schooed in
immortality by the payment OF nickel. 1t is even
bad. enough for adults, and is opposed to the good
morals OF the community"
Neither the fine nor the lecture seemed to have
much effect Carroll but it safe to say that he will
not care TO take second chance of violation of the
law
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
in FAVOR OF THE PANHANDLE.

or Sunday he will see from the CLASS VI
vehicles that it is the middle classes ana
not the rich who drive out for pleasure,
and that everybody and all classes ought
to be encouraged to drive out for pleasure,
which not only gives them health put
gives, employment to carriage makers
horse raisers, stable men, blacKsnllns
and all kindred employments. He says 1t
will take nine millions of dolalrs. The
answer to that is that 1t is assessed LOT
million and half, and that recent safes
indicate it's value to be about three mil
lion and a half, and four millions would
be a liberal price in which the city would
get the worst of the bargain. Your corre-
spondent seems to be purely selfsh, ana
protests against the worry, trouble eA-
pense, wear and tear, time ana pteah-
age of moving across the street. PrlVate
convenience must give way 10 Pupilo
rights and benefits. The future OIL odh
Francisco must not be side-tracked be-
cause it is too much trouble for your COT
respondent to move out of the way. IL Is
the same kind of a man that for many
years stopped the opening of Van Ness
avenue TO the bay; but the pubic rlghts
then triumphed and he was compelleu 10
move after making himself. conspicuous
nuisance in the community. If San FRAN
cisco issued it's Indebtedness for S04,UUo,VVo'
which is the limit, it would De III thS
same position as several California towns
1t is only asked now to spend five or ten
millions for park extension, necessary
schools, outfall sewer and the City ana
County Hospital. Next year, under the
charter, we will want another issue OF
bonds for public utilities. The latter pay
for themselves and are not burden. The
other things are an expense; but now IS
the time to get to work. This land can be
acquired now and the city is willing TO
pay a fair price for 1t. This is the city S
opportunity, but 1t is also the property
owners opportunity for this reason-that
the park panhandle extension between
Fell and Oak streets, once having been
projected, will never down. If 1t is de-
feated this year it may prevail next year.
but in the meantime nobody will buy this
land. The future of the park requires
for it's completion and perfection this. ex-
tension to Van Ness avenue and Market
street The property owners must sell to
the CITY, and they had better make ready
to move where there is such an abun-
dance of unoccupied land north and south
Of the park The movement of this popu-
lation (there being over two hundred in
dividuaI owners of land) will make a stir
in the building trades, giving employ
ment to labor open up outlying territory,
and give the city, as the Art Association
has expressed it, a worthy approach and
entrance" to the greatest park in the world
now accessible only by back streets,
around corners, amid dingy surroundings.
and over bad roads, slippery in winter
and corduroy in summer. Respectfully,
FRANK J. FALLON.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
ADJUSTMENTS.

Coumba-''Rob Roy tomorrow night.
Caifornia--"A Old Time" tomorrow night.
Opera House-"Queen's Handkerchief
Orpheum-Vaudeville.
TivoI-' Beautiful Golden Locks
Chutes Theater-Vaudevile every afternoon
and evening.
Olympia-Corner Mason Ellis specialties.
Recitals Wednesday afternoon
April l9.
Opera Tuesday afternoon April 25
sherman-Cley Hail Ian Maclaren, Friday afternoon
April p.
Central Park-The Steeplechase
Interstate Co. street. Eighth-Bat
tie Of Bay
Recreation Park-Baseball.
Union Coursing Park-Coursng to-day.
Glen Park-Aisson Zoo
Metropolitan Temple Moving Pictures Monday, April IT,
El Campo-The popular bay Amusements every
Sunday.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

1t is understood that Colonel Schwartzkoppen and
Colonel Panizzardi have become involved in the
Dreyus affair In an exchange of civilities these
gentlemen might become embarrassed In hostilities
they could hardly anything more deadly than
their They might choke to death before they
could fight
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

Governor Cages statement in recent interview
81 have tried to free myself from the cares of state
and to prepare myself for the future labor my office
imposes raises question as to what are the duties
of his Office for which he prepare himself by free
ing his mind from the cares of state
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
AUCTION SALES.

BY c. P Troy & Co.-To-morrow, and p. at 80
Geary Chinese and japanese goods
BY a W. LouderbackTo at 1o:Sc and 2So p
n.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

The story that Kaiser William intends to raise his
brother, Prince Henry to the rank of King and be-
stow the Chinese province of Shanung upon him for
kingdom is good enough yarn for Oriental uses
probably, but it won't wash in this climate
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

Should Secretary Wadham of the Eureka society
insist arresting for vagrancy any more two-year-
old infants like Baby Aubray it might be we'll to arm
the policemen with nursing instead of clubs
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

George J. Denis, whom Governor Gage will ap-
point Code Commissioner, says with some en-
phass that he is not lackey of the people of Cali
fornia If the gentleman continues IN this lofty strain
he may find that his name is Mud and not Denis
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

If this were campaign year, when
political thrustS are justifiable in the
daily intercourse of life, the recent JEFF
fersonian banquets would afford much
amusement to the public, since in the
wide chasm between the Jeffersonian-
ism of the New York feast and that of
the Milwaukee frugal repast there is
scope and opportunity for many a YER
bal stab that would reach our Demo-
cratic friends in the short ribs and
make them writhe. This, however, is
a season of political peace. The toma-
hawk is buried and the scalping knife
sheathed. Throughout the polite world
there is a desire to say the pleasant
word to such Democrats as are met in
good company and to talk of these
banquet dissensions as if they were not
dissensions but modes of harmony.
Such being the case it is worth while
to direct attention to a precedent
which, if followed, will enable any one
to talk politics to Democrats without
being offensive to either faction
When Artemus Ward went to Boston
to see the sights some of his warm
hearted hosts took him to a certain
misunderstanding old house and as
sured him it was the birthplace of Ben
jamin Franklin. Next day another set
of entertainers, equally warm hearted
showed him a building in quite diff
ferent part Of the city and with posi-
tiveness asserted that to be Franklin's s
birthplace. Having thus been made
aware of the civil war in Boston on
that subject the genial humorist did
not take side with either party; neither
did he offend both by declaring the
place Of Franklin's birth to be in doubt.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

The women OF Santa Clara County interested in
equal suffrage have expressed their disappointment
at Governor Gage. There are Others
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

John F. Carroll Crokers lieutenant, testified the
other day before the Mazet committee that what
Mr. Croker says goes It's pity that the boss
could not have put in a word for the Keely motor.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
THE CALIFORNIA LIMITED
Sante Fe Route.

Three times week: sla days to Chicago, 4ls
Gays to New York. Handsomest train and most
complete service. Full particulars at s2S Mar
ket street.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16
AN~wERs TO CORRESPONDENTS.

AN EIGHT-HORSE TEAMS. City. In
an eight-horse team there are first the
wheelers, then the pointers, ,hen the
swingers and then the leaders.
THE CENTENNIAL w. A. Citv
The transport Centennial, which sailed
from this port for Manila February E
current year. carried mail to that point.
NOT so RARE-B. H, Flagstaf Ar,z
A half dollar of 1924 is not such a rare
coin as to command premium. Such
can be procured from dealers for 90 cents.
DAVID COPPERFIELD-F. w
City, David Copperfeld" is generaIlv
considered by far the greatest. consS.
quently the best of the works of Charles
Dickens.
IN THE TWENTY -SECOND-O cote-
ia, Cal. TO ascertain if a man enlisted
in the Twenty-second Infantry Regin9eT,t
inquiry should be made bv letter 70 tbs he
war department at Washington D. c.
THEIR POLITICs-A. s. CITY. scbtev
Miles and Dewey have not made house,
top proclamatlons of their politics, b,it IL
Democrat and that Miles and Dewey ara
Republicans. y az
Cal glace fruit soc per 10 at Townsend's.
----N-e
special Information supplied daily to
business houses and public men by the
rress chipping Bureau (Allen'sY so Mont
SoHieiV street. Telephone Main 1912
The lawyers than the doctors
DO render larger bills.
0LnCe IeW are heirs to property,
Whle all are heirs to ills.
Detroit Journal.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

Special information sunnlied dorv to
business houses and public men by the
Fress Clipping Bureau (AIien's9' 80 Mont
somery street. Telephone Main 1042
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-16

cal glace fruit Soc per N at rownaend.a