New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-21
dulge in their debasing habit OF opium


Following the example set in England by
Palmerston and Gladstone. who both preferred
to remain in the popular branch OF the LesIs-
lature ex-Pesident Theirs declines to be a
candidate for the new French Senate. lie
feels no doubt that he can WELD greater
influence and do more good in the Assembly,
which continues to be the real source OF power.
Alarmed at the spread of the instruction In
Bosnia, three great Powers. Germany Russia,
and Austria, are endcavoring to secure from
Turkey promises of reform which 1t is ex-
pccted will pacfy the insurgents. The Sultan
displays characteristic stubbornness, but II is
probable that he will be compelled to yield.
A desire to avert war at all hazards and pre-
serve the balance of power in Europe appears
to be the aim of the Governments which are
engaged in settling this question. 1t Is doubt
full, however, whether the Bosnians will he
satisfied with any terms short of actual home
rule.
One cool head might have averted the dis
crcdtable scenes which marked yesterdays
session of the Legislative Emigration Com
mittee. The question of Mr.. AlvOrd was
under consideration, but the investiga-
ton had already taken such wide range
that the objection of Mr. Waehner came in
rather abruptly, and seemed to he urged with
unnecessary persistence. Mr.. Alvord was on
the right track, and it is to be hoped that ne
will not allow his temper to stand in the way
of the purpose to discover the truth which he
has heretofore evinced while serving on this
Committee.
In this season. when SO many excursions
tempt tired or pleasure seeking people to spend
few hours on the water, 1t Is pleasing TO
observe a disposition to hold those who pro-
vide such excursions TO some sort of response
bility for the lives in their charge. A few
weeks ago the managers OF the plymouth
Rock excursions were fined for overcoming
"a steamer and COroner's jury yesterday
called attention to a case calling for similar
penalties. Ii is to be hoped that the verdict
in the William Cook drowning case will not
be overlooked by the United States officials
whose duty it is TO see that the laws for the
government of acknowledgements are enforced.
Apparently no compact can insure fair
dealing between the great trunk lines
which are scramblinP for passengers between
New-York and the leading Western cities.
Every now and then We have an agreement
soemnly promulgated il is obser, cd tor few
weeks; then the practice of cutting fares
begins; then retaliation is in ORDER and reck-
less competition paves the way for another
agreement, which shares the fate of its pre-
decessor. The schedule adopted yesterday and
which is to 90 into operation on Monday next
provides for an advance on the present rates,
bat the fare from New-York to Chicago will
still be two dollars below that eXactcd before
the railroad war of last Spring began.
Mr. Van Rensselaer, Rchmond's testimony
before the Canal Investigating Commission
Yesterday was marked by some sprightiness,
but like Mr.. Beach, this witness utterly failed
to sustain the position which they together
took in card denouncing certain statements
in recent report of the Commission as UNI
true After hours of questioning Mr.. Rich
mond concluded as NE began with the aiiirma
ton of a firm belief that the State Engineer
and Canal Board had not let the contracts
in question without having before them the
papers required by law. Under the circ;lm-
stances it would seem advisable that Mr.. Rich
full surrender but he prefers to have another
search for the papers whose existence Is de-
MED by 50 many witnesses, and the Commits
sion will give HIM another bearing.
The public of this city is 10 be congratulated
that the charges against the Police Board,
which have so long been on eveybody's lips.
have at last come before the Mayor in
tangible shane. The accusations of in
competency and neglect now formally made
arc the immediate result of recent sessions OF
the Legislative Committee charged with the
duty Of investigating the increase of crime In
our midst Low as was the general estimate
of the efficiency Of our police force, few were
prepared for the revelations made by this
inquiry. These revelations, with comments,
were printed in THE TRIBUNE from day to
day while the Committee was sitting, and are
still fresh in the memory OF our readers. But
in the communication of Mr.. Townsend. the
Committees Counsel, to the Mayor, they are
concisely and fOrcibly reproduced in the form
Of charges and specifications. The Indictment
thus presented cannot be easily OvertbrOwn;
indeed we do not see how Mr.. Matsell, or
Mr. Disbecker, or Mr.. NOOrhis can say any
thing that will break its force. Making COM
mon cause, however, the accused Commission
ers promise an early answer, both general
" and specific" The fact that Mr.. Matselrs
moral perceptions are so bunted that he
CARDS the charges as " frivolous is pretty
conclusive indication that he at least is better
fitted to edit textbook for the criminal
classes than to hold in his hands the police
administration of great city.
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SL3FERY AND RAG UONEI-A PJRALLEL.