New-York tribune., 1874-12-15

Science. lu this en0rt Dr. crosby mas maue
an exceedingly valuable contribution to the
discussion of one of the foremost questions now
engaging the attention of the most thoughtful
minds in this country and in Europe.
AT first glance the resolution introduced in the
House of Representatives yesterday by Mr.. Cald-
well Of Alabama seems to cover very incongruOus
subjects. But as both soldiers and bacon were
distributed in MIR. Caldwel's State for political
purposes during the late campaign, under the
auspices of the War Department, we cannot
say that he was far out OF the way in the
wording of his application for information.
Perhaps Attorney General Williams can tell
more about this matter than Secretary
Belknap.
Mr.. Holman struck what ought to be the
keynote for the concerted action OF honest
and economical Congressmen of all parties for
this session, in his resolution declaring that,
in the present condition of our finances. no
subsidy in money, bonds public lands, or
pledges of public credit should be granted to
associations or corporations. This would cut
off at least the Northern Pacific Railroad sub
sidy, the Southern Pacific Railroad subsidy,
the Kanawha Canal subsidy, and possibly a
brood of others scarcely less dangerous
The action of Mayor Vance, concerning the
| Fourth Avenue improvement, seems to us
wise There appears no doubt that the city
was legally bound for its share Of the i'm
provement, and as little that it will be greatly
benefited by the work. Ii has been gigan-
| tic piece of engineering, and we are so apt to
remember the things for which We have Occa-
sion to grumble at Commodore Vanderbilt,
that We not infrequently neglect. in cases like
this. to do him justice. The work has been
well and rapidly done, and no Obstructions
ought to be put in the way of paying for it.
The miserable if not criminal msmanage-
ment of the Frcedmen's Savngs and Trust
Company, corporation to which thousands
of ignorant but wOuld-be thrifty negroes have
confded their harl-earned pennies, is pretty
fully set forth in the report Of the Commits
sioners Of the Company, which we print this
morning. In the Washington branch alone
there was found discrepancy of over $4,000,
and most of the loans OF the Company,
though long past due, are for the present al
least unavailable. The Commissioners suggesG
important amendments to the act under which
they were appointed to wind up the affairs OF
the bankrupt concern. Their suggestions seem
sensible, and should be given the most care
full consideration.
The confession of dying burglar on Long
Island bids fair to lead to the solution of
mystery Of crime which has puzzled the brains
of the shrewdest detectives, and been SUBJ
ject of moro or less advertisement. COM
ment, and speculation in every newspaper in
the land for months. The whole country
has been placarded and ransacked until
the name and features of Charley
Ross have become as familiar to the
blck woodsman as to the friends of the unfOr-
tunate child in Philadelphia. The chapters
to-day added to this strange story are full of
thrilling incidents, rivallng romance in their
interest. There seems to be little doubt of
the fact that the abductOrs of the child have
been discovered. but as both of them are now
dead it is still painfully uncertain whether
Charley Ross will be recovered and restored
to his hone.
A New-Orleans letter, printed this morning,
gives an ineligible review of the critical
political situation in Louisiana, brought Oh
by the conviction of the Conservatives that
the Returning Board propose to rob them of
the fruits of their victory in the late election.
1t is evident from the dispatches of later
date that the looked for crisis is
about to arrive. The citizens generally
are excited by fresh proofs that
the returns have been tampered with since
they came into the possession of the Board
while the evildisposed members Of that body
are encouraged to persevere in their de-
signs by repeated assurances from Washing
ton that the Kellogg Government will be sus-
tanned under any and all circumstances. There
is too good reason to fear that the words and
acts of desperate men on either side will lead.
to more blOOdshed in the streets OF New
Orleans.
Mr.. Beck of Kentucky took a step in the
right direction when he moved in the House
yesterday that special committee be ap-
pointed to inquire whether any officer of the
United States of the District Government had
impeded the course of public justice in the
notorious Harrington Safe Burglary case. OF
course it was to be expected that Mr.. Butler
should not lose moment in filing his caredt
against such a proceeding, and his having
done so will serve to convince rejecting per-
sons that there is good foundation for the
widely circulated reports which called forth
the resolution under consideration. The prop
osition failed for lack Of the requisite two
thirds vote, butt as this is bad year for
dodging investigations it is not too much to
hope that the sober second thought Of some
Of the members who are recorded as voting