New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-01

the Indictment is invalid because certain
law affecting the case originated in the Senate
instead of the House Of Representatives. The
defense ia as curious as ii is contemplate.
The Brooklyn authorities evince little dis
position to assume control of the East River
Bridge until some assurance can be had that
New York City will take upon itself part OF
the burden of building the work. The private
stockholders are to get their money back Ii
the City assume charge, and their leading
spirits were yesterday profuse in assurances
that New-York would join in the enterprise
as soon as Mayor Havemeyer was out OF the
way. These promises are the less likely TO be
taken at par because of the many which che
same persons have previously repudiated.
It is of course impossible for the officers of
the Government to take counsel OF their
sympathies in the conduct of affairs. The
discharge of clerks yesterday in Washington
consequent upon the reduction in the estimates
for the several departments was attended oy
painful and touching scenes; but there Is only
one thing to be considered In relation to 1t.
If the clerks are not needed they ought not
to be retained, and their original appointment
was an abuse. 1t is at least to be hoped that
this incident may have some effect in check
ing the rush of the unemployed to Washing
ton. 1t is the grave of all ambition and indie
pendent effort, and even at this time young
man employed there, if he has the capacity to
make a good public servant, will be almost
certainly benefited by being dismissed.
Now that Marshal COncha Is effectively
dead, there is no objection to the monument
and the solemn funeral the Madrid Govern
ment propose to give him. 1t is scarcely pos
sible that his fall should have been cOnsld-
| cred the disaster to the National arms which
| it is represented in the dispatches from Bay
onne, which are always favorable to the Car
lists. To-day loss of only 800 is reported,
which is trivial In comparison with the 4'OOo
| at first rumored. 1t may be considered sig
nificant that the flag at the headquarters OF
! the Captain General in Havana, which has
| always hitherto borne the crown of the Span
], ish monarchy, was yesterday relieved of that
emblem. as if Don jose de la COncha had
recognized in the fall of his gallant brother
the end of the hopes of a restoration In Spain.
| We print to-day letter from Messrs. Hurd
g. Houghton, the American publishers of the
stories Of Hans Andersen, in regard to the
movement set on foot by some of his young
American admirers to raise funds for a testimo-
NAL to the veteran Danish romancer. As these
gentlemen have for many years paid Mr.. Ander-
sen the only copyrights he has received from
any source foreign to Denmark they offer
naturally the best channel through which such
a testimonial should reach him, and we shall
be happy to cooperate with them towards such
an end. No friend of Mr.. Andersen could
object to such an arrangement, and 1T Is es-
pecially desirable that any sums which may
be raised should be deposited in wsll-known
and responsible hands, so that the contributors
may be sure that nothing will be lost on the
way. Such funds as The TRIBUNE has re-
ceiyed or may receive will be forwarded
through Messrs Hurd g. Houghton.
In the communication which we published
yesterday respecting the probability of the
earth and moon being swept over by the tail
of the comet, it was distinctly stated that the
calculations were not to be regarded as final.
| Another letter from the same source to-day,
throws still greater doubt upon such an Oc-
currence If the extension Of the tail takes
place with the velocity and curvature assigned
to it by theory based upon similar opera
| tons in the case of another comet, we shall,
| it appears, escape contact with the tail by
| merely a matter of two days time. Perhaps
| it is Just as well to be on the outside of this
phenomenon, since at all events we shall have
a magnificent view of it and as the matter
of comets tails-although thinner than the
promise 20 pay on United States greenback-
is q substance with whose other qualities we
are totally unacquainted, the statement that it
will give us the go-by may be hailed with
satisfaction.
Some time ago when Police Commissioner
was to be buried the Street Cleaning Bureau
actually thoroughly cleaned Broadway; and
it was suggested that other Police Commits
sioners might be proftably put to similar
effective purpose. 1t now appears that the
conviction of two other Commissioners of the
same Department has inspired the Board of
| ApportiOnment with a sudden reverence for
the laws and melted its members to unusual
and unexpected economy. Evidently Police
| Commissioners, even such as we have
been cursed with, are not wholly without
value, The fear of similar fate to theirs
has impeled Mr.. Vance and Mr.. Wheeler to
insist on the revision and reduction of the
city estimates, which we noticed yesterday
And now if the various heads of Departments
can be made to understand that they may
render themselves liable to indictment by
exceeding or misapplylng their appropriations
as now fixed by law. the effect of the Police
| Commissioners conviction will not only be
| wholesome but widespread
PERSONAL GOVERNMENT.