New-York tribune., 1874-07-07

bhc tIdil Hdu pdSStu'
The new District Commission enters upon
it's work with an apparently earnest determi-
nation to cut down expenses to the lowest
figure, as well as to sift out all fraud from
the contracts already entered into and the ex-
penditures incurred 1t is estimated that
$1,S00O00 will be required to finish the con-
tracts already made. The manner in which
the Commissioners begin their administration
gives an assurance of careful scrutiny into
contracts and economical performance OF the
work. that will he received with gratlilcatlon
by the people at large as well as by the tax
payers of the District They have good
opportunity to deserve praise, and appear
ances indicate that they do not mean 10 neg
lect it.
After all, we shall not be touched by the tail
of the comet; at least such Is the announce
ment of our correspondent this morning. 1t is q
case where a miss is not only as good as mile,
but as many thousand miles, From the first our
correspondent has stated that the question OF
contact with the tail depended on the amount
of its curvature Recent observations have
enabled him to compute this, and it appears
to be sufficient to carry it away from us. No
additional length of tail will affect this COM
putation; only q greater breadth than is esti-
mated can occasion the contact: the letter de-
scribes by vivid illustration how narrowly
we avoid it. Another correspondent suggests
some doubts as to the previous computations.
As hitherto the facts have justified all the pre-
dictions made, we presume that the alleged
discrepancies will prove susceptible OF explana-
ton.
One swindle leads so logically to another.
| Mr.. John Pope H0dnut an Irish lawyer from
| Chicago, observing that the heavens were
falling, held up his hat for larks in the shape
of twenty-five per cent commission from the
labOring men, who were in fair prospect OF
being cheated of their wages by the WASH
ingtOn Board of Works. Some 1, lao of these
| ignorant men signed a contract giving him
| this commission for obtaining their wages,
whereupon Mr.. John Pope Hodnut appeared
before the committee and, so far as he had
opportunity, made himself a nuisance. The
committee and Congress having, in spite of
| Mr. John Pope Hodnut made an appropriation
to pay the laborers, Mr.. John Pope Hodnut
claims his little commission, amounting TO
S56,OOO. The only possible excuse for Mr.
John Pope Hodnut's receiving $56,0O0 for bor-
ing the committee is that he proposes to use
it to establish newspaper in Washington.
He proposes to spend the money on the spot.
Under the advice Of their counsel, Police
Commissioners Duryed and Disbecker have
consented to call for p meeting of the Police
Board to-day. But it does not follow that
there will be any reorganization and election
of officers. If Mr.. tharlick is unable to
appear, as seems llsly, Mr.. Gardner will
probably absent himself, and thus no election
can follow. If Mr.. CbaJlick appears, the dead
lock will probably continue, as Messrs. Duryee
and Disbecker are understood to be little
inclined to reelect their old associates under
present circumstances. If Mr.. Gardner appears
and Mr.. Charlick is absent, it is probable that
the other two Commissioners will elect them
| selves President and Treasurer which would
| be o fine turning of the tables on the con-
yicted Commissioners. 1t is singular and
| significant feature of this municipal contest
that the adviser of Messrs. Duryee and Dis
becker is the counsel of the Committee engaged
| in prosecuting the Mayor and the other Police
| Commissioners.