New-York tribune., 1875-01-27


Independent Republicans in the face OF Ad-
ministration influence against tho agitation OF
the subject.
Both Turkey and Montenegro having re-
solved to withdraw the troops Hom tneir
frontiers. We may regard the report OF COM
nroro;se as based on good authority. There
ia no knowing, however, when the quarrel
NAV bo renewed. With such power as
Turkey, Indifferent to the susceptibilities OF
her weaker neighbors, and with such @ beliig-
erent band as the Montcnegrins, always ready
to take offcnse, everything is possible The
work of Cancellation has simply had be-
ginning.
The taint that attaches to everybody a1d
everything that has had anything to do with
tho old Ring Government of the District OF
Columbia naturally makes honest members OF
Congress look very closely into all legislation
affecting the District. 1t was right that 'he
proposition to pay in gold the interest on the 800
bonds should be rejected, for 1t was q schemo
for the benefit of men who have already made
too much money out Of the District but as
the debt was legally contracted, we SEQ
no reason why the interest should not DO
promptly paid in currency.
Rcnorts TO the Board of Health show that
the recent frequent and often severe changes
of temperature had q marked effect in increas-
ing the mortality Of the city. 1t is more
cheerful information that the number OF cases
of smallpox and diphtheria has been much
diminished. To the activity of the vaccinat-
ing corps the abatement in the amount OF
tho former must be largely ascribed. The
smallpox hospitals have now come under the
control of the Health Board, and they will be
made less repulsive to patients who are taken
from comfortable homes than they have been
An appeal is made for reading matter and
games to tighten the weary hours OF the
inmates, and for chrOmOs and engrayings to
brighten the cheerless hospital walls.
The news of the election of ex-President
Andrew Johnson to the United States Senate
from Tennessee will be generally received
with smile. The passions aroused by the i'm
peachment have long since died out. There
are a good many people who would have been
glad to see Andrew Johnson removed from
the White House who would nevertheless
have thought it an amusing and agreeable
thing to sec him sent to take seat among
his Senatorial judges il 1862 The re-
venge of history loses something OF Its
aptness by the delay. Still Mr.. johnson Will
be a conspicuous and an amusing figure. But
we doubt whether he will prove an important
one. An opposition which loses Schurz and
gains johnson cannot bo said to be growing
stronger in the sort of ability likely now TO
secure Senatorial leadership and command q
popular following.
We cannot but think that it would have
been better TO excuse Mr.. MOultOn yesterday
from the protracted crOss-examinatiOn to
which he had already been subjected for so
many days, upon his receipt OF the distressing
intelligence Of his mothers sudden death. 1t
seemed refinement of cruelty, under such cir
cumstances, to recall him from his hurried con-
vcIsation with the messenger who bore the sad
news, send him back to the witness stand and
| continue the cross-questioning. Under the
circumstances the mans natural pluck and
desire to conceal emotion would keep him from
appealing to the charity of the lawyers, or
even lead to an expression OF desire to go
! on with the case But there should have been
no need for an appeal. 1t may have seemed
| to promote the ends of justice to continue the
examination, and it was doubtless done with
the best intentions; but there has been moth
| ing yet in this whole dreadful business to
crate so harslly upon the feelings OF the public.
| The Carlists manifest an Indifference to sound
| policy very strongly savoring OF wantonness.
| In firing upon the German bark Gustav there
| was some excuse for them in the fact that
they regard Germany partly in the light of an
opsn enemy, although prudence dictated a
very different course. The British vessel. on
which they have now opened fire, if en-
| gagged in private undertaking, should
| not have been molested under any cir
cumstance. If engaged in laying telegraphs
for the de tacto Government of Don
Alfonso. the nationality of the vessel should
have been respected, as It's undertaking was
perfectly legitimate as against insurgents,
who have never been recognized as belliger-
| ents. The Carlists cannot afford to raise up
new enemies in this reclleSsl way. A little
forbearance would have saved them from the
enmity of such an influential power as Ger
many. They may now, by thoir imprudence,
still more seriously injure their cause by add
ing Great Britain to their foes.
There is another hopeful piece of news
from South Carolina. Gov. Chamberlain ap
pointed Judge Thomas j. Mackey to invest-
gate the continually recurring troubles in
Edgefe.d County. Judge Alackey is one of
the abest and most 0ntspOken Republicans in
the South, and has received many marks of