New-York tribune., 1874-12-12

where he propounds the theory that the pos
session of gold al q basis Of currency is .
source of weakness to nation.
The strength of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad and tho confidence of its managers
were indicated by the stand taken in opposi-
ton to the Saratoga contract. A letter from
Baltimore, on our third page, analyses the
sources of this strength and independence.
The road has been remarkably fortunate
during period of much depression in finance
and trade; but some of its representations of
success seem to have been rather Overstated.
No very startling suggestions appear among
the plans of leaders for the salvation OF the
Republican party in this mornings dispatches
A sound financial policy, separation from the
politics of the White House, honesty in the
party instead of the effort to conceal as
honesty, and checking the criticism OF the
independent press, are the sum total OF their
devices. The last of these will be more easy
of accomplishment when the others are car
ried out.
No candidate is yet named with any GER
tainty for the Massachusetts, Senatorship, as
Mr.. Summers successor, The heavy defeat OF
the Republicans has disjointed the party ma
chinery and weakened the prospects OF Mr'
Dawes; the supporters of Judge Hoar 90 not
vet know their strength. and there Is SILL
greater doubt as to the nomination OF senator
Washburn, Gov. Bullock, or Prof Seelye'
The probabilities are very thoroughly dis
cussed in letter on our third page.
We publish accounts of an earthquake by
which Westchester County principally was
shaken, though reports of it come from Nyack,
N. Y, on the northwest to NOrwalk, Conn.,,
on the southeast. A year or two ago an
earthquake in Germany Of about similar 1orce
and scope, gave an opportunity for profound
Investigation which has thrown more light on
disturbances of this character than all previ-
GUS speculations. We trust that the present
occurrence, at their very doors. will be care
fully studied by our men of science.
The report Of the Bureau Of Statistics Is
largely freighted with explanations OF the
causes of its own defects. The new system
of examining the contents of railway trains
from Canada will tend to correct one source
of error that has vitiatcd all our annual state
ments of trade with that country. Statistics
of the coasting trade and of fisheries, under
existing laws, are exceedingly imperfect; and
even in respect to the movements OF emil
grants, the records are quite defective. Point
ing out these and many other sources OF error
which modify the value of its statistics, the
report urges measures that may result in more
accurate information.
An instance of the methods adopted by the
Returning Board for multiplying the majorities
obtained by the Conservatives of Louisiana Is
afforded in the case of the De Soto Parish,
whose Supervisor has handed over the returns
to some person who declines to give them up
unless be is paid 81, 900. The State authorities
and the Board decline to move in the matter,
though urged to compel the restitution OF the
returns. In previous dispatches it has been cx-
planned that there is reason for fearing that the
Board will on various pretexts hold back for an
indefinite time sufficient number of returns of
Conservative parishes to insure q Republican
majority in the Legislature
We hope the singular order of arrest in the
case of the San Francisco agent, Irwin, does
not indicate that the Ways and Means Com
mittee intend to begin the Pacific Mail investi-
CATION by bullying their most important wit
ness. But his testimony is Indispensable, and
the Committee should be as inexor-
able in getting out of him all he
knows, as it has been in enforcing an
instant response to its summons. What Irwin
can testify to of his own knowledge, will
probably be valuable chiefly as clue to more
conclusive witnesses. He has said he paid
out the money for the subsidy. but not to
Congressman. There will be need of hot
work to get the Committees salt on the coat
tails of the men that handled that money
after the San Francisco agent.