The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-24
VOICE OF The PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSIONS.
State and Coast Opinions on SUBJ
jects Of Living News
Interest.


soon abandon Aguinaldo and end the
rebellion. Why such information can
not be disclosed is difficult to under
stand. Meantime comes correspondence
from Manila little older and entirely
uncensored which expresses the belief
that the Instruction will be an endless
affair. Between these divergent opin-
ions there is broad room for the aver
age man to know nothing.
HOW TO ELECT SENATORS.
San jose Mercury: The ''Mercury's"
plan for nominating and electing Unit
ed States Senators Is attracting atten-
ton, and it has already received the
commentator of many of the best in
formed citizens of Santa Clara Cour
ty. 1t is put forth by this paper in all
seriousness, as simple, logical and
practicable method whereby Senators
may be selected by the people them
selves, and that, too. without any alter
alton whatever in the Federal Consti-
tuition Public sentiment is ripe for
the proposed reform. The Fathers,
when they devised the Electoral Col
lege, had faith that the electors chosen
by the people would exercise their del
egated power with honesty, wisdom
and loyalty to the best interests of the
country. But the people, who are the
source of all authority in a popular
government, has seen fit to safeguard
their rights by naming certain candi-
dates for the Presidency, through per-
ty organizations, and selecting between
them at the polls. The vitality Of the
Electoral College has long since been
extinguished, and the vote for electors
is only the merest form.
BEFORE AND AFTER RAIN.
Fresno Democrat: Hardly an interior
exchange published before the advent
of the rain but contained accounts of
experiments and editorial musings on
the subject Of pumping water for irri-
cation purposes. 1t would seem as If
the agriculturist had gone daft on the
subject since first it was preached,
about a month or two ago by Professor
Fowler of the Agricultural Department
of the University at a Farmers 1nsti-
tute meeting in this city. Now that the
rain has come, wonder whether the agi-
tation and the experiments will be kept
up, or dropped with dull thud?
THINGS ARE CHANGED.
Willows Journal: 1t is impossible to
describe the difference between the ex-
pressions on the faces of our people to-
day and that of last Saturday. A week
ago it was serious talk Of doubt and
fear of another calamity, but to-day all
is changed; the town is full Of people,
all good-natured and extending con-
CALCULATIONS over the prospects.
In course of time the Californian will
likely become a rain-worshiper, some
thing after the style of the Aztecs in
their sun-worship, the difference being
that the Aztec worshiped the sun be-
cause it was always with him; we will
worship rain because of it's scarcity
and the joy it brings to man and beast
when it does come
COSTLY HORTICULTURE
Tulare Register: Yes, it is hard work
to tell what a country is not good for,
and it is very costly in life and sub
stance. Down in Florida four years
ago the orange trees were nearly all
killed to the ground, but the deter
mined people are not going to give it
up. During the blizzard that swept
over the North early in the month
Florida orchardists provided themselves
with sheet-iron stoves and put them all
through their orchards and kept roar
ing fires all night long to drive Jack
Frost away. Others made frames of
light strips of wood and covered in the
trees with prepared paper or light cloth,
and maintained oil lamps inside, while
yet others hauled in and scraped up
mounds of sand about their trees clear
to the foliage. Fruit growing at such
cost would hardly seem to be profitable,
and yet those who live ten years longer
will find Florida oranges competing
Justify with the California product
They grow good oranges when they get
crop, and they had good crops for
many years, and doubtless will have
them hereafter
THE LATE LEGISLATURE.
Fresno Republican: The Legislature
is no more. There We're few hopes
at Its birth and there will be fewer
regrets at its death Yet. after all,
there are some things to he said in
it's favor, and some encouraging indi-
cations for the future in It's record
In its personal composition it was,
If anything, better than the average.
1t contained a few men Of marked
ability, standing and character, and
probably a majority of men Of ordinary
Intelligence and responsibility. Doubt
less just as good men would have been
secured if Legislators, like jurors were
selected by lot, but that is common
condition, and it is no5ody's fault but
our own. If man is stupid, ignorant
and obscure nobody thinks of hiring
him In private position of large re-
sponEibility, but we are as liable TO
elect him as anybody to public
office, and We have no right TO COM
plain or be surprised if he does not
turn out we'll.
In general legislation this Legislature
is entitled to far more credit Than X
has received. The portion of its work
which has received the most newspa-
per attention is its anti-newspaper
legislation, and this, being engineered
by the worst element in the Legisla-
ture, and based on petty revenge, was
naturally vicious, as we'll as foolish
and ignorant. But i'll other respects
there has been notable absence Of
distinctly vicious legislaton There
have been no notortus jobs, and the
few bills that were PASSED AMI not We
toed We're mostly needed. Altogether
so far as laws are concerned. the State
is no worse and probably i littla tet-
ter off for the wo1K of this Legislature.
SOCIALISM.
Stockton Record: s Undeniably the
sociaaistic sentiment is growing anil it
is well for students of politics 10 take
up the study Of the question In the
minds of many people confusion born
of ignorance exists on this subject and