New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-19
TILE MISSING y TNE.NS.

1t was only one name, and it stood yester-
day morning in the list OF combinations by
the Senate. 1t was j. G.. s. Colby OF Missouri,
and the Senate confirmed his appointment as
Consul at Chin Kiang China. Believers III
" the best civil service on the planet glanced
over the list without questioning the merits
of any of the appOintees, for they had the
serencst confidence in both President and
Senate. They knew that President Grant,
after all the sOlicitude he has manifested for
Civil Service Reform, would not appoint an
unfit or incompetent person, and they
knew that even if he should by some
unaccountabe accident make such an ap-
pointment, the Republicans in the SEN
ate who have been engaged for the past
two years in advocating the reform would
subject the appointment TO the most rigid
scrutiny and not fail to reject it as unworthy.
And the good people who had read with pro-
found feeling the remarks Of the President in
his late message upon the subject Of Civil
Service Reform who know how earnestly he
10 endeayOring to raise the standard and char
acter and the general tone of the pablo ser
vice. and that he has carried it so far as to put
nearly every relation he has in the world in
al
way, "Ah! Consul at Chin Kiang appointed!
"Colby-Colby Don't know Colby-but he is
"doubtess q man who will reflect honor upon
"the American name, take good care Of our
Interests in China, and make Chin Kiang
"happy by the addition of an eminent Amer
"lcan citizen"
This would be the most natural line of
thought of the gentlemen who believe in the
Civil Service and sympathize with the Prcsi-
dent in his earnest efforts to elevate its
character and tone. 1t is barely possible,
however, that some skeptical or cynical per-
son, or perhaps some one who doubts the
wisdom of wasting good men on China, and
thinks we had better keep our wisest and best
with us, may inquire, "Who is Colby 2" To
this inquiry wo may answer, without indulg-
ing in biography. eulogy or obituary
to any extent, Colby is the Missing
Witness in the late Safe Burglary Trial.
When he first "turned up missing" in the
progress of the trial, with testimony verbal
and documentary which it was believed would
have implicated persons of consequence in
the District deviltries, it was said he had gone
to San Francisco on wedding trip. 1t subse-
quenuy appeared that he was making his way
out of the country as rapidly as possible, with
q consular appointment in his pocket. Some
body said the Senate would not confirm the
appointment. Somebody did not know the
Senate.
This transaction hardly needs comment. It
carries its own. The Safe Burglary conspiracy
was the work of what is known as the Dis
trict Ring In the operations of this Ring the
family and friends of President Grant are
known to have made large sums of money.
The developments upon the trial of the Safe
Burglary conspirators were very damaging to
the Ring Mr.. Colby's testimony would have
been still more hurtful to them. What was
the attitude of the President of the United
State toward the accused partiesi This sim
ply. The principal person OH trial, the alleged
chief of the conspiracy, was invited to a
select family entertainment at the Presidential
mansion while the trial was in progress. The
witness whose testimony was deemed Of tho