New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-26

Republic of Andorra, and any invasion OF
this territory by the Carlists places them In
direct antagonsm to France. The govern
ment of President MacMahon has hitherto
confined itself to OBTAINING military supplies
at the frontier; but, if it chooses to resent
this last want Of respect for neutral rights, IL
must adopt much more energetic measures.
There is no probability that what is quantity
termed in our dispatches "a bone-plcking
outfit which has suffered from an Indian
attack in Kansas is any of the more impor-
tant geological expeditions at the West, In
search of fossils. These expeditions have LOT
the most part had a competent escort OF troops,
while the one that has suffered seems not to have
had any. There have been several excursions
of the sort, projected by Western colleges and
enthusiastic men of science. that have failed
to take with them sufficient force to guard
AGAINST a surprise from the Indians, and it
was almost inevitable that some of them should
meet the disaster they invited, which IN the
present instance was confined to the murder
of boy and the loss of camp equipage.
A steady decline in the prices of cotton
goods, amounting in the aggregate to about
ten per cent since the beginning OF the year,
has compelled the action of the manufacturers
in deciding to reduce production after
Oct. 1. The causes of the decline are doubt
less to be found rather in the Inability 10
purchase than in any unusual supply. People
who have found little employment since the
panic, have curtailed their expenditures. and
although general business is everywhere re-
covering from the depression, there are
multitudes who are still compelled to practice
a careful economy unknown in more
prosperous years. Reduced production may be
expected soon to stimulate prices somewhat,
80 that at least the business of manufacturing
may not result as now in positive loss.
Nevada Republicans exhibit more than the
average good sense of the party in the plat
form of their State Convention, which Is pro-
nounced in its opposition to the thlrd-term
project and the reelection Of Gen. Grant. Other
sensible features appear in the platform such
as opposition to subsidies and land grants,
and urgency for a return to specie payments.
The white mans party and the recent revolt
in Louisiana are denounced; there is con-
cession to local prejudice in the demand Tor
q new treaty with China which shall diminish
immigration from that country, and there Is
the evidence of Granger progress across the
Rocky Mountains in the desire that Congress
shall regulate railroad freights and fares. On
the whole, the good in this platform far out
balances the evil.
The action of the Boston fire insurance COM
panies in respect to cooperating with our Ma
tional Board of Underwriters in refusing to
take risks at Chicago, will be awaited with
interest, but without anxiety. If the Eastern
companies combine in this movement, the
needed reforms will probably be fastened In
Chicago but if not, New-York can better at
ford to lose than keep business where the
risk so evidently overshadows the profit. Our
companies in that case will gain business from
prudent insurers in Boston as well as in this
city, who prefer institutions that avoid playing
with fire The unanimity of feeling among the
Underwriters of this city, and the prospect of
a general withdrawal of Insurance from
Chicago in Eastern and foreign companies is
| very fully set forth in our local columns.
| Tn an interesting letter on Arctic discovery
which we publish this morning, Dr. Hayes
claims for an American expedition the credit
of having sighted land nearer the Pole than
the Payer Weyprecht expedition. This ques-
ton can only be determined with certainty
when the details of the work accomplished by
the sledge-parties from the TegetthOf are fur
nished with exact figures as to the observa-
tons. 1t is probable that the high ATTITUDES
of the lands sighted in both instances are
rather a matter of estimate than OF absolute
calculation and it is evident that these latl-
tudes whether observed or estimated, cannot
differ many miles. The superiority of Smith
Sound as route for Polar expeditions, and
the prospect of new researches in that direc-
ton. are very fully considered in DR.. Hayess
letter.
The country has been all this time enjoying
the luxury of a resumption OF specie pay
ments and never knew it. The beautiful de-
vice of Secretary Richardson which the news
papers so cruelty blasted by premature pub
licty, was crippled, but not killed. No longer
indeed did applicants for five or even for one
dollars worth Of silver receive the shining
coin over the Treasury counter; but by the
ingenious continuance of obtaining draft for
blank dollars and odd cents, one might, if he
knew the ways of the establishment, draw the
uneven change up to ninety-nine cents inclu-
siye, in solid silver, with perhaps few nickels
to exc out the account. Secretary Bristow,
having lust discovered the prolonged existence
of this precious (metaD arrangement, has gone
and set his foot on it and killed it. Thus is
it ever.
The discussion respecting vivisection is fur
Their advanced by letter from Mr.. Bergh
which we print this morning. He meets the