The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 12

14 consent of four-fifth of tbe member elected to tb -m THE EXAMINER. SV. R. HEARST. guration and maintenance of ateamtblp lines.

We would Ilk to see this question thoroughly canvassed by tb commercial bodies, and especially by tbe Merchants' Association. house concerned. Now, both Senate and Assembly have voted to enlarge tho number of employees, and wottt of all to allow toy further number to bo appointed on tlmplo resolution passed by a majority A Transient Record of Indi' vidual Opinion. PRATTLE. BY AMBROSE BIERCE.

4 Oncp tgiln, but mart of either house, Thl merely restore tbe law to It vat with paio and re. REGULATION OF RAILWAYS. emphatically than hereto-for, tli Interstate Com-mere Commission point out tbtt the rllrod of tho United State are ae-rlficina the mll shipper LIGHT NEEDED IN DARK PLACES. gret tbat th people of California learned of Friday' fiasco on tb part of the Assembly committee that I Inquiring luto the charge of bribery In the and the field. In Mr.

Markham's poem the thought Is tbat of th Sandlot-even to the workworn threat of rising against the wicked, well-to-do and taking It out of their hide. what It wa before the Helihaw act wa passed. It throw down th bar and let th bord of Job-chaser Into th Sacramento psitur. The Legislature kuow well enough that It will not sstlsfy the people by thl meature, and It I much mlstskcu If It think It going to satisfy the place-hunter. With all the scandals of the past session there were alway a dozen disappointed constituent for one who got a place.

There were never enough job to go around, and there never will be. It wa Conkllng who ld that every appointment given to him had "made nine enemies and on In-grate." Tbe member of tb Legislature may well pray to the Governor to be preserved from the conse Senatorial contest. Tbey quence of their own act. Who made him dead to rapture and despair, A thing that grlevea not snd thst never hopes, Stolid and stunned, a brother to the ox? Who loosened and let down this brutal jsw? Whose was th hand that slanted back ihla hrnw? Whose breath blew out the light within this brain?" One is somehow reminded by these lines of Coleridge's questions In th Charaonny hymn, and one I tempted to answer them the same way: God. "Tbo Mun with a Hoe" Is not a product of the "master, lords and ruler in all they are not.

and no diss of men responsible for him, his limitations and bis woes which are not of those "that kings or laws can cat'iso or cure." The "masirrs, lord and rulers" are as helpless "In tho fell clutch of circumstance" a be which Mr. Markham would be speedily made to undorstsnd if appointed Dictator. Tho notion that tho sorrow cf the humble ars due to tbe aelflBbnes of tho great Is "natural," and can be made poetical, but It Is silfy. As a literary conception It has not the vitality of a sick fish. It will not carry a poem of whatever excellence otherwise through two generations.

That a man of Mr. Markham's plendid endowment should be chained to the body of thl literary death I no les than a public calamity. If be could forget now, what the whole world will have forgotten a little later, that uch a person We bad hoped that the Blshaw act might be allowed to atand. It would appear, however, that no act tbat cm be repealed by tbe Legislature will protect the treasury from the combination of place-hunters. It will take constitutional amendment to make an end of the sort of tcandal that have tolled the reput of every session.

Tb member of the Legislature should be glad to send such a proposition to the people. Even Id tb moat extravagant cession ther have been only three or four appointment apiece, and bow far three or four appointment would go In satisfying the "worker" any member can ty for himself. -O It I eminently proper that high civic honor be accorded to "the hero of Santiago" there I no question a to that. But who Is "tho hero of That I a matter which may fitly he determined by evidence. The evidence submitted by friend of Oen.

Shifter I deficient and unound. That In command of tb American forces may be admitted, although It I (till an open quetlon bow much bl discretion limited during the latter part of tbe operation by the presence of Gen. Miles, hi official uperlor. For anything tbat I known to the contrary, tb Utter officer, who I a past master In the mytery of holding tbe tongue, my have been, despite Secretary Alger' assurance to Shatter, In supreme control. The commander of the United State Army I not so eIly parted from hi lawful authority a one may think.

For hi deposal ome-tblng more I required than a telegraphic Intimation by the Secretary of War, directed to another person. Or It may be that each of tbese officers believed himself In command. 8uch misunderstandings ar not unknown In war; neither Johnston nor Beauregard seem to bav suspected tbat be was not supreme commander of the Confederate force at the first battle of Bull Run. Defeat would doubtless bav apprised each of bis lubordinatlon to tbe other. In the Kingdom of Failure there are no pretender to the crown.

Thl much I That saving by a series of successful blunders advanced bl army to the main work of an enemy too feebly commanded to deal him tbe destruction which at every step be invited, Shafter telegraphed to Washington his Inability to bold bl advantage and tbe necessity of withdrawing to await re-enforcement. He wa promptly ordered to demand tbe enemy'a aurrender lnttead, and the enemy surrendered. A more unherolo figure tban Shaftertt Santiago ran hardly be Imagined; tbe only heroism tbat he (bowed wa in endurance of hi Identity. HI fortitude under tbat heavy affliction waa Indeed superb, and it ha shown no diminution' sine. He I no more "tbe hero of Santiago" than be la tbe hero of San Francisco, or whatever place ha the distinction of his presence In th fat.

In any public "demonstration" in honor of Gen. Shafter Secretary Alger ahould not be forgotten. It waa be tbat Invented blin. Had there been no Alger there had been no Shatter; and In thl double destitution the country would have been shockingly Insensible of its misery. Shatter la not the greatest of tbe pin-headed Micbl-gander' creations, but he 1 one of the most Interesting, for he is alive.

Look at him and be will move; touch him and he turns purple; speak to him and he curses. Having motion, color and sound, be needs only feather to be a bird. These being supplied by tbe military modiste, behold a Dodo! trust tbat the hesitation wa but temporary and due to other circumstance than a slackening in the purpose of getting at tbe truth of tbe rumor and charge that have filled the air at Sacramento. A the committee resumed It session yesterday and continued to ask pointed question we are privileged to hope that It bn no Intention of dropping the Inquiry. But why Is there so much delicacy about subpena-Ing Mr.

Ilerrln and the other men who are supposed to know a great deal about tbe corruption of legla-Utor and th minlpulatlon of Benatorshlps? Mr. Herrln is Jobber-ln-chlef for the Southern Taclfic Company. It ha been stated tbat on behalf of that company be put a large sum of money into tbe legislative fight and haa distributed money on tbe Milton Green plan, with Intent to control the election of a Senator. Speaker Wright admit that he contemplated going to Mr. Herrln to ask for $1,200, and the assertion bas been made that Mr.

Herrln gave the Alamednn $800. Speaker Wright haa denied that any money passed, but Speaker Wright la not Just In the position to have bla word taken without question. Why Is not Mr. Herrln summoned and made to tell what he know? Why should a committee of tbe sovereign law-making power of tbe State of California shy at the suggestion of summoning before It a man who merely hold the position of chief counsel of the Southern Pacific Company and manlpulator-ln-ordinary for the corporation? By all mean let us bava Mr. Herrln and anybody else who can throw light on the chargea of corruption.

Of course, It dampens the enthusiasm of tbe committee to find that the Investigation brings the namea of more than one of its members Into question, but this make it all the more necessary that the Inquiry ahould go on to the last. The committee must vindicate Itself. Let It find out what has been going on behind the screen in the matter of electing a Senator. WHAT ABOUT A FAIR? California I about to enjoy a prosperous year, and everybody who ha any Interest In tbe State ought to be willing to help tbe expected boom along. Mining I ur to give vaitly Increased return over last in the interwt of th con cern controlling heavy freight trtffln.

What I said In tbo annual report of the Commission, Juit given publicity. I of nimb Importance. Thu: Th situation In lieeonie Intolerable, beth from th atandpolnt of the public ail tb earner. Tar Iff disregarded, discriminations constantly occur and th orlce Ml which trunsportillon ran obtained lfluetut Ini and uoenaln. lUllroad managers ars distrustful of tch other, aud shipper all th while In doubt to th rate tecured by their competitor.

Th volum of Irstfie I so unusual to frequently exceed th cspsclty of equipment, lu throntet for tonnage, which teem never relaxed, eiiormou um ar (pent in purchasing butlncsa. and rate are accorded far below th tndrd of published charges. The generl public ajais little ben-eltl fioni those redurttnus for the concession are in I I y- citiilliiril In lhe kenrler shipper. All thl augments the advantages of Urge capital and tend to the Injury and often to tii ruin of imaller dealer. What to do about It la tbo quritlon.

The Commission concludes that th present Interitate commerce law I without value. Indeed, It goe to far a to ray that "until needful legislation I supplied," the demand for equitable condition "must remain unsatisfied and the Commission mint continue to ret under responsibility of a duty which It I power-Ice die barge." Tbo remedial legislation suggested by the body has regard to restriction of competition and to direc governmental regulation of the charge for transportation. In the report It Is said: It' Is perfectly clear that the obaervance of tariff ratea Is entirely within the power of the railway managers, nd that It would bo vastly for the advantage of th railroad as a whole. It would, however, be difficult and often ruinous fnr one railway to maintain rates whil It competitor makes secret concessions, and It Is slso to be admitted that nowhere are the results suhstsntlally as claimed by the carriers. A Urge psrt of the railway business Is now carried on with lllcgsl rtes.

and In certain qusrters chsrglng Hie published rste Is the exception. The results are gross discrimination between Individ-usls snd gross preferences between localities, which most always favor -the strong snd oppress the week. A further result Is thst rsllrosd business Is carried on largely In conceded violation of Isw. This condition th present law I powerless lo control. If unrestricted competition produces discrimination, one obvious wsy to preveut such discrimination Is to restrict competition.

Whether existing conditions would be Improved by legsl-lilng rallwsy contracts would depend upon the extent to which the agreements were msde snd 'actually enforced by the carriers. So fsr ss the Commission can obtain information, there Is at present no other greet nation which endeavors to cnforcecompetltlon between Its rsll-waya, although In many cases that method hss been tried and abandoned. Hut Just as no other greet nation to-day enforces competition between railways, so there Is no other great nation to-day which doea not regulate and control railway rates. If this country Is to change its theory or railway regulations it should adopt the ne theory In Its entirety. Carrier ask authority! to combln In order to fix and maintain reasonable rates.

But who shall decide what rates are reasonable? Shall it be left to the carriers to fix their own rates, or should the peo as William Morris existed, It would greatly advantage him and provt the excellence of bl memory. Although In my poor Judgment, for the reasons named, this poenj falls something short of greatness, it Is obvious that my high oplnloa of Its author' ability must have somewhere at the back of It a memory of great that he has done. It bas, and I hope to bo able to put a little of It In evidence next week Just enough to vlndl. cate the Judgment of Mr. Millard if haply he was thinking of the poet rather tban the poem.

If the verses that I hope to print do not show tbe Incomparable superiority of poetry that Is an end over poetry that Is a means, I'll expiate my failure by forswearing com. mon sense. Join tbe rising ranks of industrial discontent as a labor leader and never do another stroke of work as long as I live. To Certain Correspondents: J. L.

Yes, I favor closing the poolrooms and the racetracks. Having learned what was "already known" to the Shah of Persia when the Prince of Wales Invited him to the Ascott races-namely "that one horse can run faster than another" I discern no neccessity for further proof of It; and as a gambling device the borse is distinctly Inferior to the dice-box. Moreover, he exhales an Immorsl emanation, and nobody that bas much to do with him escapes tnfec. tlon. C.

B. M. I know of no reason why you should sign your true name, or any name, to your abusive letters to me. For that matter, I know of none why you should write the letters; but neither do I know why you should not. B.

E. E. No, I shall not "take up" the Robert matter; he may have a many wive as Solomon In all hi glory, for anything I care. When polygamy begins to be compulsory or contagious write again. B.

Why we spell tbe name of the Islands with a Ph andhe name of their Inhabitants with an is a mystery so Inscrutable thst it must have some religious significance, I suppose. With a befitting sense of spiritual unworth I solemnly and reverently give it up. Blank Who among us would not "purchase acquittal with a Dear me, are we really all scoundrels and Rossers? Will you not admit that possibly there is one honorable assassin, and tbat blvth(ng) I am he? C. P. I have not the happiness to share your rosv bone of a 4 A well-known gentle HUNTINGTON'S AID TO VITICULTURE.

man recently read In "The Examiner" a suggestion that a proper Christmas offering to Eastern friends would be a few case of fine California claret. He took kindly to the idea; year, when a shortage of water compelled the principal gold-producing district of the State to hut down; the rain seem to sisurs abundant crop; our market have been enlarged, price for product re likely to rule high, and largely Increased development Is bound to follow, a money can be obtained for a very low rate of Interest. But we must not forget the advice of Jupiter to tbe to put our own shoulder to the wheel. It I understood that tbe member of tbe State Legislature are in a mood to vote a considerable amount of money for the promotion of tbe business Interest of this Coast In the shape of a Pacific Ocean Exposition. We luggest to the committee In charge of this legislative bill, and the other citizen wbo are behind them, that It would be wise to consider something more than a mere exposition.

Dancing on tbe village green I a nice recreation for the villager, but when they come to count the cost they generally find that the ahowmen who come along In wagon take away more money than they apend. Outside of tbe great center of civilization, London and Pari, expositions have frequently been found more costly to tbe community in which they 'are given than profitable. They create a temporary boom by Inducing resident in the vicinity to spend money freely, but It is questionable If they aecure much money from distant points. But while the profit of a big exposition Is questionable, there Is no doubt tbat, generally speaking, such a thing is meritorious and useful, and there can be no objection to appropriating public money for and, though he has.no special interest in viticulture, To be serious no light achievement In writing of thl droll creation of all tbe officer and soldiers wbo served In the recent war Gen. Shafter I the least fit for public honor.

He bas bis eulogists; who tbat bean a conspicuous relation to Important affairs has not? Tho beneficent activity of King Log wa doubtless loudly affirmed by many of his subjects, and tbe royal appetite of bl successor duly admired. Tbe late Richard Hengtit Home, author of "Orion," wrote a defense of Shylock, and I have bad the happiness to read a manuscript "appreciation" of Judas Iscariot. Demonolatry is by no means an unknown faith, but holds a notable rank among the world' religions. In grsntlng "triumph" and "ovation" to returned warrior the Roman Senate waa not uniformly Judicious; It Is too much to expect committees of American "prominent citizens" to be alway wiser. A to the rabble of bowling homolateri generally, wben and where did tbey not dote upon an Impostor and adore a show? If In Shafter they can have both rolled Into one, and a fat one, wby should they not be aa happy a the clam tbat they are, at the high tide which Is Nature' attempt to waBb her hand of them? Here I a sonnet tbtt I think well of, a both performance and promise.

It Is by George Sterling, and ha not before been In print: THE NILE. Low moaning) In the shadows of their might, thought It would help thing along if he would do bis share toward Introducing our fine wine In tbe East. Accordingly, he went to a wine grower wbo has made a splendid reputation and who has received gold medals In Europe, for the splendid quality of hi wines, and purchased a few barrel for shipment. The price of the wine In the barrel was $160 per ple wno grant this extraordinary privilege reserve to themselves iho right to determine this question? gallon. When It wa bottled be took it to the Southern Pacific Company for shipment, hi lot making If American public life were not so largely corrupted by the Influence of centralized wealth, there would be no hesitation In the matter: It about a quarter of a carload.

He wa Informed that the rate was $1 384 per case. A case contain two and one-half gallons, which at $1 60 a gallon would make the value of the wine $4 75; and for shipping $4 75 worth of wine to New York the Southern Pacific would be safe enough to have a commission directly fix the transportation rates on Interstate shipment; but ther is danger that way, Just a there Is danger iu continuance of the system that enables shippers like the Standard Oil Company to get freight rates political millennium under tbe new charter. Tho charter, I take It, Is not self-operative; it must rely for its working upon human character, and I've not heard of any recent radical alterations In that hereabout. Whatever laws human ingenuity can devise human ingenuity can circumvent. We shall have good government whenever good enough to deserve It.

If our people are really so much concerned about the prevalence of crime in politics bow would It do to stop taking the hands, of political criminals hobnobbing with bribe-givers and bribe-taker and inviting public embezzlers to our homes? Doe any one refuse the such a purpose; but before we ipend a million dollars of public money on an exposition, we ought to consider more pressing and Immediate needs. Company demanded $1 38H, or more than one-quarter of the value of tbe wine, and that tbe highest-priced For a million dollar the sovereign State of Cali wine which could be purchased In the State. The gentleman made some Inquiries a to the reason why fornia could subsidize a steamship line for ten yean at the rate of $100,000 per annum, guaranteeing a fortnightly service to Australia, Hawaii and our new thl tremendously high rate waa charged, and was confidentially told that two reason existed. First, so much lower than those charged others that competition Is strangled. The problem la not easy.

There could bo no permanent barm, however, In trying the remedy suggested by the Commission- provided, of course, the people have enough power In Congress to oblige the railway people to submit to a fair test. It Isn't at all certain, these days, that the nstion can get a square deal at Washington, we regret to say. I echo all the voices of my dead. I call, until their memory be fled, Thoth and Osiris sepulchered In night, High Cheops and the Kameses. In my sight Arise the ruins of their pomp, stained red As by eternal sunset I am led To where the seas are mystery and light.

Thus ordered stsnd thy destinies, soul! Tbou callest, cro the lesser vision flee, Thy cherished fled before thee to the gosl Far In the shadows of Eternity. Thou art drawn down to where Death's thunders roll, And lost at twilight In a stranger sea. It told-tbat Mr. Sterling Is not a poet my reply I obvious: "As I have not said that be Is, the onus proband! I upon you." Publication of tbese verses will not, I fancy, lighten the load. Speaking of poetry and poets, I wish I could think as well of Mr.

Markham's poem on "The Man with a Hoe," published in last Sunday' "Examiner," as Mr. Bailey Millard does. (If Mr. Millard's possessions In the Philippines. For a long time tb commerce of California baa suffered by reason of tbe the railroad people made a high rate for less than carload shipments because they desired to protect Inducements offered by Northern teamshlp companies.

The Vancouver line to the Orient bas not Wells, Fargo in which corporation tbey own a majority interest; secondly, they put a higher rate on wines in glass, because tbey desired to protect tbe only taken the tea and silk trade from San Francisco, nana oi tne wiciieu una nurus wiium an, excepting mose wno expect to profit by him, so naturally and so glibly If Speaker Wright be not sent to tho penitentiary will any of his present acquaintances overlook him when next he is met? Will any one turn his back and walk away on being Introduced by the usual impudent "mutual Is it not effrontery for a people to clamor for good government who have no particular objection to thieves as associates and friends? The only offenders whom In our social intercourse we habitually punish are those who have expiated their offenses In the manner provided by law; that Is, we forgive crime and punish punishment. Mr. Walter Hobart, a young man "prominently Identified" with "iiuifI thlnka that hti hin Buffered a ernvn Intiistlen I think nni but ha taken tbe major portion of the Oriental flour trade away from us. There Is a large and growing -4 big shippers of wines in bulk, wbo had a rate of about 8 cents a gallon as against 55 cents per gallon for wine in glass. demand for California product In Australia and In the Orient which the present steamship facilities are Inadequate to handle.

Without going Into particu It Is Impossible to sell a fine quality of California FOR THE. GREAT WATERWAY. wine In the East In bulk, for tbe reason that wines After several week of debate the Senate ha at last passed the Nicaragua Canal bill. The vote was 48 to 6, which fairly represents the proportion of advocates and opponent throughout the nation. classing it with one of mlne were the only expression of his good lars, it Is sufficient to tay that not only are ton of freight left on the wharf by nearly every ateamer, but the trade Itself is Injured by reason of uncer In the wood require careful nursing and handling.

If our finest wines are to receive their due meed of tainty In shipments. Of course, the steamship com credit in the East, they must be shipped In glass. Making a prohibitive rate against the shipment of wine In glass is only one more evidence of tbe Southern Pacific's hostility to California. panies give the preference to the higher grades of manufactured articles, but if there were sufficient tonnage sfloat In thl Pacific trade, the cheap-priced product of California would not be neglected. It Is The bill a it get through the Senate Is well framed to protect the interests of the people.

It provides for the extinguishment of the rights of the Maritime Canal Company In the concessions, and the purchase of the work already performed by the re-payment of the money that the stockholders of that company have already advanced. The entire owner not a revolutionary proposition for a sovereign State to subsidize steamship lines, and we believe If the money California has expended in the past ten years Opinion ot it, I trust that Heaven would endow me with the decency to hold my tongue about his estimate.) It Is long since I entertained a doubt of Mr. Markham' eventual primacy among contemporary American poets. He Is every year taking wider outlooks from "the peaks of song" ha already got well above the fools' paradise of flower and song-birds and bees and women, and is invading the "thrilling region" of the cloud, tbe cliff and tbe eagle; whence one looks down upon man and out upon the world. But I have several objections to urge against the poem mentioned.

In tho first place, it is, in structure, stiff, inelastic, monotonous. One line is very like another. The caesural pauses fall almost uniformly In the same places; the full stops always at the finals. Comparison of the versification with Milton's blank will reveal this difference of method In all its significance. It is a difference analogous to that between painting on ivory and on canvas between the dead, flat tints of the former and the lively, changing ones due to Inequalities of surface in the latter.

If it seem a little exacting to compare Mr. Markham'a blank with that of the only poet who has ever mastered that medium in English, I can only say that the noble simplicity and elevation of Mr. Markham's work are such as hardly to justify his admeasurement by any standard lower than tbe highest that we have. in fiestas, and other form of advertising hsd been A CASE FOR HOME RULE. The people of San Francisco will be gratified to find that Colonel Sperry of Stockton, when requested to assist In getting a Stockton man appointed on the San Francisco Board of Harbor Commissioners, ex used in the promotion of a translsthmlan line and In ship and management of the canal Is to be vested In the United States, subject only to the rights of Nic augmenting tbe lines now running in the Pacific that It is generally known that Mr.

Hobart Inherited great wealth; that a part of It haa recently been ordered by the courts paid back to persons from whom it waa dishonestly taken; that this throws suspicion on his moral right to the remainder; that be bas never earned an honest dollar In his life, performed au honest day's work, or done any useful act which has come to public knowledge; tbat his name Is constantly In the newspapers as a "leader" In "society" and in such idiotic and spectacular amusements as "society leaders" affect; and that he gives a good part of his time to promotion of by means of the legs of horses. How can that kiud of man mifrcr unjust treatment? It should cjmtent him that he has not been Jumped on by Justice. I don't want to be course and profane, like wicked writers, but cannot forbear to remark that the Republican party in this State seems to be equalizing altitudes in the Other World by a process of leveling up. 1 "Close the poolrooms," says Respectability, pocketing his ticket of admission to the grand stand at the racetrack; "they corrupt the lower classes." "Close the poolrooms," demands Maturity, fat-paunched and snug, figuring his last winnings on Step-and-f etch-it; "they tempt the young." "Close the poolrooms," simpers the blg-imttmi "vounir lndv." buttonine the clove she la going to burst in aragua and Costa Rica In the territory through which it Is to pass. Tho canal Is to be built by public this State would have been largely benefited.

Take, for instance, the experience of last year In the Klon 8 money, and owned by the public. The provision for bonding the enterprise have been eliminated. The pressed the Idea that the place should go to a San dike trade. The principal steamship company of California engaged In Alaskan business turned Its management over to tbe Northern Pacific Railroad, and consequently Its main office wa at Seattle In- canal is expected to be built by public appropriations, not more' than $20,000,000 to bo advanced In any one year. This may be of advantage If It doe atead of San Francisco.

A Californlan desiring to not put it within the pew of the railroad lobby to ship was at a certain disadvantage, for, really, Seat block the work by Inducing Congress to withhold tle was made the terminus and San Francisco an ac appropriations. The country Is rich enough to pay commodation port. The consequence of tbat was tbat a tremendous volume of business, properly belonging out 120,000,000 or even more each year on the work without feeling the strain, and there will be no Interest to bo met if there are no bonds. to this State, was diverted to the North, and although My chief objection relate to the sentiment of the piece, the thought that the work carries; for whereas thought is no part of the poetry conveying it, and, Indeed, is almost altogether absent from some of the most precious piece (lyrical, of course) In our language, no elevated composition has the right to be called "great" If the message that It deliver Is neither true nor just. All poets, even the little ones, are feelers, for poetry Is emotional; but all the great poets are thinkers, as well.

Their sympathies are as broad as tbe race, but they do not echo the peasant philosophies of the workshop It Is to be hoped that the measure will be pushed applauding Jockey Tond Slime; "the betting there is so vulgar." "Close the poolrooms," austerely writes the "editor and proprietor" whose sporting pago is slotted for nickels; "they shock the moral sense of the community." "Close the poolrooms," roars the track-sldo pirate, with his little "tbey promote gambling." It could not be done there quite so cheaply, the certainty of shipments gave Puget Sound the advantage needed to control the business. Aside from the St. Michael's route, which wa ably covered by tnrougn tne House at tne present session. The need for the Nicaragua Canal has been made manifest. mo Aiassa commercial company, tnere was nn Close the poolrooms and tho mouths ot hypocrites.

Tne country is practically agreed that It must be built, and there should be as little delay as possible In getting to work. regular transportation line from San Francisco. Eaatern people carao here and organized wild-cat schemes, which mostly went to pieces about Dutch Franciscan. That Is Just what the people of San Francisco believe, but unfortunately they have not been able to get the Idea carried very extensively into practice. The Harbor Commission Is almost altogether a local afair.

It deals solely with tho San Francisco water front and so much of the bay as Is contained within tho city and county of Sinn Francisco. The money that supports It comes from charges on the shipment of goods into and out of the city, on the ships that come to handle its business and on the merchants who make use of its conveniences. It is quite as local In Its function aa the Street Department; yet the circumstance that the Board is called a State Board, and the appointment of the members is vested in the Governor, It has usually been considered a piece of patronage with which the Governor might pay political debts owing in any part of the State. We have, therefore, had stage drivers from tbe mountains, and able Journalists from the interior, and politicians of all sorts sent to manage this Important local commission. We think that any disinterested citizen, wherever he lives, will agree with Colonel Sperry that the best service for the management of the harbor can be secured by putting It In the bands of men who llvo and have their Interests In San Francisco.

It is this city that, more than any other part of the State, will be helped or hurt by the management. It la to men of this city that the control of the Board should be given. AROUND THE LOBBIES. The Rainy Dau Came. Governor Gage baa the Harbor.

San Francisco had tbe mortification of seeing tbese mishaps credited to her commerce. It would have paid tbe State of California last season right to complain of the Legislature when It "passes tbe buck" to him in the bill repealing the Belsbaw ANOTHER SCANDAL IN SIGHT. to have given $10,000 a month to a steamship opera log between here and Skaguay, and we believe It act. This is a most un THE FATE OF POOR FIDO. "Madam," said the conductor, as he punched the ticket of a lady, "I am very aorry, but you can't have jour dog In this car.

If against the rules." "I shall hold him In my lap all the way." sho replied, "and he will not disturb ny one." "That makes difference." said the conductor; "I couldn't sllow my own dog here. Dogs must ride In the baggage-car. I'll fasten him all right for you "Don't you touch my dog, sir," exclaimed the young woman, excitedly: "I win trust him to uo one." And with Indignant tread she marched to tho baggage-car, tied her dog and returned. As the train was approaching Mayvtlle and the conductor came along she ssked htm, "Will you tell me If my dog is all right?" "I am very sorry," said the conductor, politely, "but you Two young attorneys were talking In th postofflce corridor the other day, and one of them said: "Jack, I've sworn off smoking. Sort of a New Year resolution, you know.

I suppose you hav taken some sort of a pledge, haven't you?" "No," replied his friend. "Not one, I tried It la3t year and it foiled." "How was that?" "Well. I have always been a sort of spend-thrift, as 'you So last New Year's day pleasant affair to have would pay the State to do it this year. A trade of eight million dollars Is worth looking after. This State doesn't even control ber own coast steamship lines.

San Francisco Is in a position to do tbe supply business of tbe Pacific cheaply. Th product of thrust Into bis hands, for It puts him to the choice of offending the people by signing it, or the Legislature by vetoing it. The repeal of the Bclsbsw act is clearly a bad bit California' soil can nearly all be brought to this of legislation. It is not for the benefit of the State, 1 said to myself: 'Jack, every one else is making' some tort of a resolution, why not make J. A.

Teldemann, a prominent Insurance man of Portland, is at the Occidental. T. C. White, the Fresno banker, is at the Lick House. H.

T. Smith, a merchant of Crockett, and Mrs. 8iulth sre guests at the Lick. Railroad Commissioner E. B.

EUson of Gazelle Is at the Grand. WASHINGTON', January 21. Congressman-elect Julius Kahn arrived In Washington tonight and registered at the Ebbltt House. Ho conies to Washington to learn of some Congressional ropea so that he will able to take up his duties as Judge Msguire's successor at the opening of the next session of Congress. Other San Francisco arrivals tonight sre as follows: Frank Sullivan and family, Mrs.

H. H. Borondt. Mrs. E.

M. O'Brien snd Raymond C. O'Brien. NEW YORK, January 21. California peo-pla ars registered at leading hotels here as follows: From San Frsnclsco J.

8. Robbins, E. R. Murdock, at the Imperial: 8. Oledden, O.

G. Reenzwsw, at the Astor; C. N. Felton, at the Windsor; D. MeCiees, at the Sturtevant; H.

E. Hall, at the Manhattan. Los Angelas J. W. Evans, at the St.

Deuis. port by water. The Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys have all-water communication, and the cost but oi tno jon-cnasers. it should be entitled "An yuuisi-u: so i resoivea 10 save up a mtu of landing a bargo alongside a ship at the seawall Is money lor a rainy day. That afternoon tied him to a trunk and he was thrown off with at the act to open tne treasury or tne state to those who tan render no service." Tho Belsbaw act was the atonpment offered by the last Legislature for its last infinitesimal.

By tbe elimination of the railroad placed a ten-dollar note carefully away and. tbe next day it rained." haul a large sum of money can be eaved. shameful raid on the treasury through the employ But all of this counts for nothing if wc have no Naturally Assemblyman Leldy of Nevada denies that he has been bribed by the Southern Pacific manipulators. A spotless man could do no more; a facilities for getting our goods to tbo new territory Of course, the exposition bas some glittering advan menl of a great number of attaches for whom there was no The Indignation of the people at the Bbftnielets waste of money led the legislators to tardy BEFORE THE 'OUSE. A member of sn Australian Parliament, who was born in the vicinity of Cheapsidc, suddenly woke up in themid-ile of a debate and Inquired, "What's before the 'Ouse?" "Th letter was ths sweet reply of a witty barrister close by.

spotted roan would do no less. Sl Funeral Custom. Swiss funeral customs are most peculiar. At the of a person the family Inserts a formal. Mack-edged announcement In the papers asking for sympathy snd stating that "the mourning urn" will be exhibited during certain ours on a special day.

In front of tho house where the person died there Is placed a little black table, eovered with a black cloth, on which stands a black jar. repentance, and tho act was passed to limit the em tsges. ft promises quick and easy returns to people engaged lu catering to the public, in amusements and transportation, but Its results will be much less Having done good by stealth to the financially hungry, Candidate Grant merely carries out tbe old ployees of future Legislatures to a reasonable nura her. number to be exceeded only with the permanent than those to be obtained from the inau Tino msjg paddiq.u. precept In blushing to flu it fame.

'I.