New-York tribune., 1874-11-20

possible to say how great is the debt that
they have piled upon the District, but tho
amount now known is so large that the In
terest upon it much exceeds what can be
annually raised by taxation. High rates OF
interest for money borrowed in reckless
way, were among the items which helped to
pile up in three years this mountain of debt.
At the reception given by the Young Mems
Democratic Club to the Governor and Mayor
elect, there was no lack of speech-making.
Mr. Tilden and Mr.. Wickham had each to
express their thanks as the guests OF the
evening Mr.. Erastus Brooks had something
to say about the Democratic press; Mr.. Simon
Stern found here an opportunity to discourse on
Free Trade, and Mr.. P. B. Olney spoke on
Home Rule. Mr. Tilden made the most nota-
BILE use of the occasion, in appealing to the
young men of the country to take more
active part in public affairs, urging them to
interest themselves in politics, to learn the
rights and practice the duties of American
citizens.
In dismissing the charges against Commits
sioner Davenport, Judge Woodruff acquits MIN
of any dereliction of duty, misconduct In OF
fee. want of integrity or improper motives ID
the exercise of his powers. A broader justif-
cation could hardly be asked or expected.
The trouble is that it may encourage the Com
missioner to further acts which to the un-
judicial mind may look as arbitrary and lnde-
fensible as his previous acts appeared before
| this decision was rendered. Possibly the
| warning example of his patron Butler, who
played like arbitrary pranks in Massachusetts
may have a restraining influence upon the
acquitted Commissioner. At any rate New
| York will be for some time an unhealthy
| nlace for United States officers to carry mat
ters with the same high hand as heretofore.
While the immediate result of the proceed
ings in the Brooklyn scandal cases is victory
for Tilton, the consequence may be an ad-
vantage to the Beecher side. Judges McCue
and Reynolds hold opposite views respecting
Judge Nelson's order, and as Judge Reynolds
approves 1T, the majority of the Court favors
refusing bill of particulars. But Judge
McCue's dissent enables Mr.. Beechers counsel
to carry the question to the Court of Ap-
| peals and meanwhile postpone this civil
case for two months or mOre-prObably till
next Spring. Meanwhile the criminal suits
against TiltOn and MOultOn may be tried. IT
the power to postpone the trial of MIR. Til
| toms suit until the criminal cases have been
tried, be an advantage to the Beecher side,
then it is the gamer by yesterdays decisions
| New-York is steadily losing its grain trade.
which Baltimore and other rival ports are
gaining. The loss is due to lack of terminal
facilities, and to Over-charges either on the
way or at this port. So much everybody
knows. Whether the railroads or the Produce
Exchange is responsible for the rest is ques-
ton about which they are now disputing, and
on which Mr.. Blanchard of the Erie Railroad
makes in the reply to the Produce Exchange,
elsewhere printed, the strongest statement OF
which his side of the case admits The main
dispute, at present, seems to be about three
quarters of cent per bushel charges here,
which the Produce Exchange thinks the rail-
roads ought to pay, while the railroads think
they cannot afford it. Perhaps if the railways
did not have to pay dividends ON an enOr-
mously watered stock, they would have less
difficulty in finding themselves able to afford
what is necessary to prevent the loss OF their
trade and damage to the city, whose pros
peTlty lis prosperity DuU NlIs DuuCuaiu o
| argument is able and ingenious
Stamps on checks, matches, perfumery,
patent medicines, &C., are among the relics
of the crude methods employed for raising
revenue in war times. Ten cents per gallon
additional tax on spirits would yield quite as
much money with far less annoyance to the
public, and the suggestion of such change
is among the most notable features of the
annual report of the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue. If these stamps are done away
with, it will not be matter of moment as to
who has the printing of the few that remain
"a matter which the Commissioner discusses
at some length. Several other interesting facts
and suggestions appear in the report. There
seems to have been no marked change in the
production or consumption of spirits, notwith-
standing the frequent reports of falling off
during the labOrs of the crusaders" The
production of tobacco has been increased, and
its export exceeded that of any previous year.
Commissioner. Douglass suggests that this
export might be still further increased by
allowing drawbacks to manufacturers i'm
ported materials used in preparing tobacco.
Economy has been effected in the manage
ment of the Bureau. $1,6OO0O0 per annum
having been saved by abolishing the Assessors
Office.