The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-30

South and West. The Democrats are in
a bad position, for there never was a
time when they had so little Presden-
tial timber, and if Bryan should be
nominated, it will be largely due to
the scarcity of available candidates.
ANNEXATION OF CUBA.
Red Bluff News: The whisper that
was heard in quiet corners a short time
ago of the annexation of Cuba is plain
ly heard now even in high places. 1t
is being boldly advocated and the Pres
ident himself is reported to be in high
favor of it, as much as he favors any
thing the popularity of which is still
uncertain. The United States pledged
itself solemnly in the face of the whole
world to the independence of Cuba
Now it is proposed to take a vote under
military rule to decide whether the
people want independence or would pre-
fer to be annexed to the United States.
OF course an election held under such
auspices could have but one result. The
annexation of Cuba under such circum-
stances and conditions would be a
shame and disgrace to the American
people which would make them the
subject of loathing and contempt
among the civilized nations of the
earth. A few months ago we should
have said that William Mckinley would
never permit the nation to be thus dis
honored, but since that civil service af-
fair, we are prepared for anything from
him.
THE ADVOCATES DUTY.
Santa Cruz Sentinel: The great ma
@r,+ ,f "a L
legitimate for a lawyer to use any
means to win, just as they half wink
at money in Notwithstanding it is
morally wrong, but has the sanction
of custom and is a prominent part OF
our political system. Sneers, jokes and
lectures will not by themselves right
wrongs. Both bar and public sentiment
must be educated to that conscience
point which will insist upon the strict
est moral action before court and jury.
Lynching is the spasmodic overflow of
enraged public sentiment. 1t is alb
normal and dangerous. 1t is not rever-
ence for law, but contempt for it, To
annihilate it is only possible by that
enlightened public sentiment which
will have to do with that practitioner
only who stands by his client upon the
broad foundation of right and not up
on questionable tricks inspired by 4
money consideration.
FOLLY OF VIVID IMAGINATION.
Marysville Appeal: The newspaper
correspondents located in New York
and Washington are frequently COM
PEELED in the absence of positive knowl-
edge of things political to draw upon
their luxuriant imaginations in order to
make their contributions for the day
not only readable but interesting. Nine
times out of ten their surmises are in
correct, and this accounts for the mo-
notonous frequency with which the
stories of yesterday are contradicted in
to-day's paper.
The wild invention that Admiral
Crownishield had gone to Trieste for
the purpose Of coaching Dewey as to
how he must talk and act on reaching
this country is about on par with the
unmitigated presentations Commits
sioner'' James Creelman is daily send
ing out from London concerning events
in the Philippines, which he describes
with all the sang-froid of an eye wit
ness and a bad one at that.
But the latest and most absurd yarn
which has so far enaanated from the
Eatern Bureau of Imagination is the
story that William c. Whitney has
hied himself to Europe for the avowed
purpose of entreating Admiral Dewey
to accept the Democratic nomination
for the Presidency. 1t requires dope