New-York tribune., 1874-12-16


occupied years ago. The objects of the asso-
citation are forcibly set forth in our report of
Mr.. Gerry's address at the meeting held on
yesterday. It's membership should be swollen
by numerous accessions that its work may
begin at once.
The Pacific Mail investigation has already
wrought one great good. 1t has shown how
subsidies are carried. Whether the individ
ual Congressman are all caught or not the
system is doomed. In the face of the rerela-
tions about Pacific Mail, this Congress wiH not
dare to obey the powerfal lobby now demanding
a subsidy for Col. Thomas A. SCOTS Pacific
Railroad.
William NJ. Tweed has made another petition
to be discharged. The purpose of this second
application was doubtless to get hearing
before some other Judge than Judge Barrett,
who lately dismissed the first writ At such
was the aim it has already failed, for Judge
Lawrence made the writ returnable at the Oyer
and Terminer, where Judge Barrett is pre-
siding for the present term.
The Boston Fire Department has learned
something by experience and happily was
successful in cODtending with the flames
which threatened to lay waste large part of
the city yesterday. Nevertheless the loss
is reported at largely more than half million
dollars. Charleston, S. c., and the prosperous
town of Au Sable Forks in this State, have
also suffered heavily by fire.
The zeal of the police as well as the interest
of the public has been quickcned by the de-
velOpments of the last few days in regard to
the abduction of Charley Ross. The body OF
the burglar who confessed guilty knowledge
of the abduction has been identified to the
satisfaction of the detectives, and the chances
for the recovery of the lost child seem to
have greatly increased
The dollar subscription for the Nebraska
and Kansas sufferers increases in volume with
each successive day. Yesterday we acknOwl-
edged $14i additional subscriptions. This
morning we acknowledge S523, the list being
headed as our friends will be glad to OBJ
serve, by subscription of $50 from
the Right Hon. w. f. Forster, NJ. p,
who sails to-day on his voyage home.
Before Christmas is fairly upon us, we
feel sure that the kindly remembrance
of our suffering fellow-citizens in the Far
West will have assumed proportions that may
bring to them something of the joyous spirit
with which the season is welcomed IN our
own more prosperous homes.
The indications at Washington continue to
point to the greater probability of some posi-
tive action for specie resumption The Ad-
ministratiOn people are without leaders,
without policy, and without courage;
but there are some among them who
have still sense enough to see that If
they can begin the movement for specie
resumption now, they will gain all the
credit of it; that the Democrats will not dare
to retreat from the policy when once in
augurated, but must carry it on, must there
fore encounter whatever business depression
it occasions, and must consequently take the
party loss which it entails. In "a word, it
is in the power Of the Administration
to place the Democratic majority of the
next House under the necessity Of doing
an unpopular duty, and incurring the odium.
They are slowly getting it into their heads,
and may be smart enough before the session
is over to do it. A grateful people, whose
best hope of speedy prosperity in tho future is
through the earliest resumption of specie pay
ments. will look only to the results, and not
inquire too curiOusly as to the motives.
We publish this morning full report of the
first of series of lectures on the Bible and
Science by Prof. j. w. Dawson, LII. D., of
Montreal. AS the champion of the opponents
ofn mis- hXy IN lair hat ba
mantle of Prof. AgassH has fallen on Prof.
Dawson. In the debate ON the subject of Oar
winism last year, which was the most brilliant
feature of the Portland meeting of the Amer
lean Association for the Advancement of
Science, Prof. Dawson sustained almost un-
aided the opposition to that theory. Last
August, Prof. Dawson was not present at the
meeting of the Association, but he was made
their Vice-President for the ensuing year.
The compliment was more remarkable as a
recognition of his abilities, because his views
were not in accordance with those of a majority
of his scientific brethren. 1t is of great ad
vantage to have the question of the relations
between Science and the Bible discussed by
man who, like Prof. Dawson, has an acquaint-
ance with both. These lectures will present
the spectacle of a champion who sustains the
theological side of the argument, but can
handle the weapons and employ the tactics of
the students of natural science. Such warfare
they cannot disregard, and if these lectures
defend the positions Prof. Dawson has so
often taken in debate, the whole subject must
come up for thorough and scientific discussion
INN JDnN np1DH