The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-12

| Boston, the death by drowning Of George
IL. Osborne, the mate, was recorded in
the usual brief and formal style.
| All these facts were established by proof in
the Scottish courts, and the claim of the sur
viving brother of the sixth Earl of Aberdeen,
Lord John Campbell Gordon, to the family
estates has been confirmed The identity OF
Lord George H. Gordon. the Earl, and
George II. Osborne, the mate, was clearly
established by the photographs, handwriting
and signatures of the two men and by articles
found among Osborne's effects after his death.
The claim Of Lord John Campbell Gordon to
the earldom has yet to be heard and deter
mined by the House of Lords and con-
frmed by the Queen. but there is little
doubt of the result The story thus
far is singular enough. No fiction
can be much stranger than this truth. Lord
George Hamilton Gordon was man of edu-
cation, of good intellect and of excellent
character, and yet he voluntarily adopted
life Of toll, hardship and danger, giving up
luxuries, comforts, honors, home and family,
and counting tho fate he eventually met. But
there is sequel that adds to the marvellous
character of the drama, and imparts to it
something Of ludicrous interest Our
English cousins will be no doubt surprised
to learn that claimant of the Aberdeen
learning of Scottish jurists and all
the wisdom Of British Lords may
yet be astounded and confounded
by the sudden appearance in their courts of
second Tichborne case This information
will probably be none the less astonishing
from the fact that it comes in the form Of legal
proceedings, remarkable land speculations,
wonderful stock operations arrests and bail
bonds. For the details of this phase of the
story we must refer our readers to the history
of the adventures Of Lord George II. Gordon,
or Lord Gordon Gordon, or the Lord knows
who, told in another part of the HERALD. 1t
is singular tale, to say the least, and the
question of the hour u.s. Who is the Lord
Gordon who is at present among us? We
pause for reply.
The Question of imprisonment for Debt
Before the Legislature.
Mr.. Hustled introduced a bill in the Assem-
bly, it Albany on Wednesday to abolish
Imprisonment for debt on civil process, which
is based upon memorial Of Silas NJ. Stilwell,
presented at the same time, explaining the
object of the act Of the Goth Of April, 1881,
abolishing Imprisonment for debt, of which
Mr.. Stilwel was the author. Although the
intent of the law was to do away with impris-
onment for debt the object has not been fully
accomplished, for at this very time there are
a number of poor debtors confne ed in our
jais. 1t will be remembered that Judge Bar
nard, acting upon the principle Of the Still
well act, set free a number of debtors
q short time since. But it is evil
dent some such additional legislation
as that proposed by Mr. Hustled is necessary
Mr.. Husteds bill simply provides that mo
person shall be arrested or imprisoned on any
civil process issuing from any of the courts of
this State" and that ''all laws in any manner
inconsistent with this act are hereby abol-
ishcd." 1t is fact worthy of notice that
New York was the first State in Christendom
to abolish Imprisonment for debt. After the
bill introduced by Mr.. Stilwell in the Legisla-
ture and passed forty years ago, one State
after another in this country and abroad fol-
lowed the example. Lord Brougham took
particular interest in this question aud opened
a correspondence with the author of the mea-
sure with view to proposing similar one
for England. Starting from New York this
excellent and humane law has made the cir
cult of The civilized world But, in conse-
qnence OF amendments made to the act
against the intention Of the Trainer of it
and from the practice Of the courts, there
remains something to be done 10 make the
principle operative in this State, and to
accomplish that is the object Of Mr.. Stilwells
memorial and Mr.. Husteds bill
The Anarchy in Mexico.