The record-union., 1899-02-01
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSIONS.
State and Coast Opinions on Sub
jects Of Living News
Interest.


San Jose Mercury: Senator Lang
ford's bill, providing for the payment
by the State of per cent. interest on
all outstanding school land warrants
issued under the Act of 1852 is a cum
ming attempt to cinch the taxpayers for
the benefit of the few All warrants
not used are redeemable, and the hold
ers should be satisfied to have their
money returned, without being per-
mitted to draw interest which may run
back for forty years.
A LAUDABLE OBJECT.
Kern Echo: That movement started
in Sam Francisco with the laudable OBJ
ject of preserving the forests and wa
tiers of California should receive en-
couragement from all sections of the
State. Such a move is of vital inter
est to every man, woman and child
Within its domains. Destroy the forest
at the headwaters of Kern River and
where would the water come from to ir-
rigate this fertile valley? 1t would all
come tumbling down at once, and then
we would have none and soon the en-
tire land would become as one scorch-
ing desert. Let us see to preserving
the forests and then thea water will take
care Of itself
WIDE TIRE LAW.
Stockton Independent: bill has
been introduced in the Legislature to
repeal the wide tire law, which was
passed several years ago, but does not
go into effect till the year 1900. 1t is
to be hoped that the Legislature will
sit very hard on this repeal bill. The
wide tire law is in the interest of bet
ter roads and the incidental and tenn
porary Inconvenience to few who
may be compelled to change the style
of their wagons should not be sufficient
to prevail upon the Legislature to take
a backward step. Give the law a fair
trial and no one will want it repealed
The users of wagons and the dealers in
wagons have had timely notice of the
change and should be ready for it,
There is a chance for the bicycle men
to do some good missionary work at
Sacramento to prevent this repeal.
PRACTICAL BELIEFS.
Yreka Journal Secretary Wilson is
a firm believer in practical education
for men engaged in practical pursuits
He was a member of the Presidential
party to the South, and as the head of
the Agricultural Department, he felt
called upon to give our Southern neigh
bors some advice that will hold its own
in any climate He said the young
farmer should study soils rather than
dead langua ges; he should learn of the
plants rather than Of the classics, and
OF the animals rather than how to COM
pete in bellies letters. The study of
moisture Of the soil, he said, will pay
better than the study of oratory; barn
yard poultry offers greater reward than
the country Office, the mutton sheep
pay better than State heroes, while the
promise of a dairy COW brings more
happiness than a Congressional career.
A SENSIBLE VIEW.
Santa Rosa Republican. The testi-
mony of Mr.. Herrin, chief counselor of
the Southern Pacific Company, before
the legislative investigating committee,
answered a good many rumors that
have been floating around for some
time. He declared in the most positive
manner that his company put no money
into the last political campaign in Cal
ifornia in support of any ticket, State
or legislative. He made this statement
knowing that the committee before
which he was testifying could bring to
Sacramento every officer and every en-
ploye Of the road and every record in
volved to determine whether he had told
the truth or had committed perjury.
Presumably he told the truth, for the
risk of faasehood in a case of that kind
was very great7saying nothing about
the character Of the man-and the great
corporation would not be likely to put
a liar and perjurer at the head of it's
law department. The corporation has
as much need of honor as of ability in
this position Its own peril would in
deed be very great if its chief attor-
ney We're a man of such stamp that he
would commit perjury or tell a false
hood for or against any proposition
We do not see how the people can
doubt Mr.. Herrinis statement to the
effect that his company did not put
any money into the last political cam
paign Of this State. The character of
the man, the position he holds, the risks
involved-aM these things go to con-
firm the truth of his declaration.
PUBLIC SERVICE.
San Jose Herald: The Boston
Budget recently held a prize COM
petition for the best definition OF ''patri-
otism." The winning reply defined it
in part as the sentiment that elevates
civil action to the same plane Of moral
responsibility as individual action"
This is good definition to be borne in
mind by administrators of local as well
as State and General Government 1t
would be all the better if business
had been added to moral response
bility. The local administrator should
bring to- his work not only the measure
of honesty which is essential to any
solid success in private affairs, but also
the energy and acuteness which distin-
guish individual business. There is just
as much patriotism in the faithful and
efficient discharge of local government
as in directing the destinies of the ma
ton or volunteering for the defense of
the country. In either case public SER
vice is the matter at issue. A man may
properly seek an office for the sake of
the honor or emolument it may bring
him, provided he proposes to admins
ter it in an honorable manner and to
earn his salary by good service. 1t
is just like seeking a position in a bust
ness house. The applicant pushes his
suit with the understanding that if
successful he will make himself so use
f1l to his employers that they will be
glad they engaged him and will not
willingly dispense with his services.
The applicant for a public position is
too apt to think that he had to work