New-York tribune., 1874-12-04

logg in power in Louisiana; his opponents eA.
pect to impcach him on the one hand ana
show on the other that he never was elected
Congress- is to be coaxod into joint resolu-
tion of some kind that will recognize kellogg
and keep him in Office. That, at least, IS the
programme. TO carry it through, Gov. hei-
logc will need new check-book.
We have n longer coast line to supply with
warning beacons, according to tho Lighthouse
Board, than any other nation. lnciuding tne
shores of sea, lake and river, there are 10000
miles, The Board, of course, throw great deal
of light on the subject. They stick to lard oil
in preference to petroleum, gas, or electricity.
Fog signals they say are much needed, but it Is
impossible to toot without considerable
expenditure of money. Their sirens will not
utter sound till Congress comes down with
the cash.
When the furry about the Virginius stirred
the Navy Department, every available vessel
was armed and equipped, including iron-ciads
and frigates. The Ordnance Bureau reports
that the large quantities of stores then provided
are still on hand. We hopo there may be no
occasion TO use them. The Bureau reminds
us that we are falling far behind other nations
in rifled breech-lOading cannon; as at present
provided our monitors are only dangerous at
few hundred feet distance. But we are
learning much about t0rpedOes and torpedo
boats, and perhaps some day these may be-
come more effective than even ritled cannon
This session of Congress, the Hon. Fernando
Wood thinks, will be a game of maneuvers
each party trying to catch the other at dis
advantage, but neither attempting any
formidable measure. He expects the Demo-
Gratis especially to be wary of large approprl-
ations and special and class legislation, and
he promises further and more startling evil
dences than have yet been produced OF cor
ruption in the Republican ranks. Ii MI.
Woods representations prove correct, the
country will certainly be the gamer. There
will not be much stealing if each party keeps
sharp eye on the other.
The excellent management of the affairs of
the army during the past year Will give IN
creased effect to the numerous recommended
tOns Of the report of the Secretary OK War.
They are chiefly concerning minor details OF
the service; among those of more general in
| terest is one for permanent military prison,
and the building of a large arsenal near this
city, suited for manufacturing purposes, Is
III ged, the cost to be betrayed by the sale OF
the small arsenals scattered through the coun-
try. In spite of the extensive operations of
the War Department in the field, the total
annual expenditure has been reduced ; and as
that, after all, is the main point to be reached,
there seems to be reason in the request that
there be no further diminuton of the army.
Gov. Dix and the new Mayor, Mr.. Vance,
have instigated inquiries as to the treatment
of Tweed on Blackwel's Island. The former
thinks that if current reports of the lenlency
shown him are true the State is disSraced;
the latter tells the Commissioners of Charities
and Correction that they merit removal II
they have allowed Tweed any privileges.
| There is no question that the strict rules OF
the prison are not enforced in Mr.. Tweed's
case, and some of them (such as requiring
him, or any other man of his size, to sleep In
the narrow cells) ought not to be. The pub
| lished statements of the kindness extended
| him have without doubt been greatly exagger-
| ated nevertheless, the difference in the treat
| ment OF Tweed and other cOnviCts Is too marked
to escape observation. MIR. Nance's sharp note
| and Mr. Laimbeer'5 refusal to assume further
responsibility for Tweed's keeping indicate
that at length the authorities recognize that
| his treatment creates grave scandal.
From the annual report Of the Department
of Justice, it is evident that the Government
does a heavy law business, being party last
year to more than 10000 cases, of which 6,OOO
were criminal suits. More than half OF the
| latter originated in the Internal Revenue De-
! partment. Some of the recommendations OF
Attorney General Williams will challenge at
tention. He would have the cOnvics of
United States courts sent to penitentary In
Washington instead Of, as now. to Albany,
and he wants a building for this purpose.
Remembering the escapades during the Safe
Burglary trial, most people will think Albany
more secure for criminals than the District.
| He wants additional legislation and the means
| for paying expenses in the Utah cases; 1T is
possible that such allowance might prove q
dangerous precedent. But still more remark
able is his suggestion that the Dstrict-Attor-
ney should be allowed to begin suit by the
mere filing of information, thus dispensing
with the need Of indictments by the Grand
Jury. The country is scarcely prepared yet
to put such powers in the hands of Govern
ment officials.
ANOTHER JUDGE GONE.