New-York tribune., 1874-05-29
volved that there was small hope Of evolving
any symmetrical scheme from the mass OIL
crude schemes of law. --.- 81 -.-' .'t,'.. -.~


| crude schemes of law. ,.-- 81 -.- ..t.'.. ~
Mr.. s. II. Wales has made an admirable
Commissioner of the Department OF fnnho
| Parks. During the absence OF Mr Steppins'
Mr.. Wales filed the Office OF President OF tne
Commission with complete acceptance. HIS
withdrawal. therefore, will DO noted with
genuine regret, which is deepened by the re-
| Election that he has found it necessary III
leaving to write letter in which he alludes
| with bitterness to the unhappiness OF Con-
| troller Green's influence in the Department.
It is certainly unfortunate that the Controller
should have such faculty for making enc
mics; Mr.. Wales adds only one to the long
list of those who have been so unfortunate as
to encounter the Controllers obstructiyeness.
Although three lawyers have passed judg-
ment upon the Consolidation act, it is still an
apple of municipal discOrd. The Board OF
Aldermen, after comparing tho dates OF seve-
raj legislative acts yesterday. denied the valid
ity of the appointment of the new Court
Commissioners, and directed Commissioner
| Van Mort to take measures for the completion
of that costly pile, although there Is no apprO-
priation for the purpose. Then, too, they re-
lieved their dignity by directing the Commits
sioner of Public Works to do what he claims
| the Consolidation act cOmpels him to do. Inc
promise was that the Consolidation act would
invest municipal government with the beauty
of simplicity. 1t has led to confusion worse
cOnfOunded." .. ...,
There is some danger that conflict OF
opinion may defeat both the bills relating to
Customs reorganization, now pending in Con-
gress The bill of Mr. Roberts, which has
passed the House, is open to serious objec-
tions; and Mr. FentOn's bill lacks in the Sen
ate that cordial support which is needed to
push through some such measure. 1t is sug-
| gested that the FentOn bill be attached as an
amendment to that of the House, and the
whole matter be sent to Conference Com
mittee We are not sure that this would ne
the most desirable plan but Congress may be
assured that the country confidently expects
some decisive action on the question OF moletles,
salaries, and informers. before adjournment.
| If we may credit an announcement which
comes from Havana, Captain General Concha
has arranged plans of military operations
against the Cuban insurgents which Will be
put into immediate execution. There is also
| mysterious intimation that important results
may be expected. But this is 80 much
| like a dozen or more demOnstratOns
to the same effect, which have been
made at different times by the authorities
of the island that we should have been more
astonished by its omission than we are by its
publication. In fact an announcement OF this
kind is periodical necessity, and the loyal in
habitants might have entertained just appre-
tensions if, about this time they should fail to
receive the comforting assurance that the
Captain General has not forgotten the exist
epce of the rebellion and intends to suppress
it with an iron hand and becoming CELEBRITY.
Many curious instances of the effect of
" Morbid Impulse" are related in the address
of DR.. Hammond, reported on our eighth
page There seem to be abundant instances
of men and women being suddenly seized
| with a propensity to commit crimes where no
adequate motive is apparent. But Dr. liam
mOnd does good service in pointing out that
in many and probably in a majority of these
cases, there is not an utter want of respOn-
sibility on the part of the criminal.
He is frequently conscious OF the enor-
nifty of his crime and of his own duty
to repress his impulses. 1t would appear III
some cases that crime is committed with
view to realizing a horrible sense of enjoy
ment in the act 1t is very evident that in
large class of cases the certainty OF unhesi-
tating and speedy punishment would prevent
the contemplated crime These considerations
should be of grave weight when insanity
temporary or permanent-is urged as de-
fense before courts and junes.
The Ironmasters' meeting in Philadelphia
Yesterday disclosed a gloomy state of affairs
for which, however, the public were prepared
by previous reports. Out of 466 furnaces it
appears that 266 are out of blast, and it is
feared that from the lack of orders as many
more will cease work in September. The
rolling mills are also suffering, one half of
them being absolutely idle. Large numbers
of work people are unemployed. while others
are working at One-ffth the wages they for
merly earned. AS remedy for this depres-
sion, the resolutions adopted urge Congress
to revise the tariff, aid in the completion of
the Pacific railroads. amend the bankrupt law,
and grant free banking. The irOnmasters of
the country are urged TO curtail the prOduc-
ton of iron, so as to raise the price and
eaualize the supply with the demand. 1t is
matter of regret that speedier and more prac-
ticable measures of relief than the foregoing
cannot be devised. Still, Congress is bound
to take the contingency into consideration,
and do whatever is calculated to aid an indus
try which is identified with the general pros
perity of the country.
IN TIE MATTER OF SHOE-LATCHETS