New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

cool; thermometer, 690 IL 0o0.
Gen. Kaufman has gained brilliant victory
in Khokand, where. with little loss, he has
routed an army of 10000 rebels. This tri-
umph of the Russian arms is calculated to
spread dismay far and wide among the people
of Central Asia.
The awards of Sir Edward Thornton, the
umpire of the Mexican Claims Commission, upon
claims of American citizens against Mexico,
are not encouraging to greedy claimants.
OF the seven awards reported to-day SIX are
favorable to the Mexican Government, and IN
nearly every case the simple statement gwen
justifes the decision of the umpire.
This country is not disposed to engage In
the undignified and proftless contest to which
Sir A. r. Gait invites us by favOring retail
"atory system" because of the high duties
on Canadian products. Canada is soon likely
to tire of a conflict of this kind, for she can
not alter her tariff for the purpose OF bullying
us without losing more than she will gain.
Our letter from Sandersville, Ga, presents
interesting details of the late negro conspiracy
trial in that place, and graphic description
of the scenes attending the acquittal OF Cor
day Harris by special jury composed entirely
of white men. This trial has demonstrated
the gratifying fact, stated by our correspond
emf. that negro can and will receive justice
from the Georgia courts. Judge, counsel, and
;ury seem to have manifested the strictest i'm
partiality, and the peaceable acceptance of the
verdict by the people is highly creditable to
an excited community.
The inquest in the case of the convict Con-
molly, whose cruel treatment on Blackwelis
Island has been fully exposed, was concluded
Yesterday The jury found that his death was
due to softening of the brain, accelerated by
the brutalities of Keepers Geary, Cowenhoven,
Reese, and Hardy, and recommended that care
should be taken in the selection of Keepers on
Blackwell's Island, and in the treatment OF
sick prisoners. The verdict uses mild words
for the state of things which this inquest has
disclosed. but it is to he hoped that its recon-
mendations will be needed none the less, for
most imperative necessity for reform in the
two points referred tO-the choice OF Keepers
and the usage of sick prisoners - has been
shown. Now let the Grand Jury and the
courts see to it that prompt and sharp warn
ing is administered to the men who abuse au-
thOrity in our prisons.
Capt Eads's plan for the Improvement of the
Mississippi River meets the approval OF the
committee of engineers that for week past
have been considering its details. The success
of similar methods in European rivers confirms
them in the belief that the project will fully
meet expectation. The report will be cheering
to Capt. lads, who has hitherto been working
on his own responsibility; and it will he a
source of general qualification that there Is
such confidence expressed, since so large a
share of the prosperity of the South, and in
deed of the whole Union, depends upon the
success of this undertaking. Simultaneously
with this report comes the news of the assign
ment of a contract by the Austrian Government
to American engineers, for clearing the channel
of the Danube from Obstructing rocks, among
which are the famous "IrOn Gates" long the
terror Of navigators on that river.
Prof. James A. Whitney, in the annual adj
dress of the President of the New-YOrk
Society of Practical Engineering. presented
last night some simple truths respecting our
Patent laws, and disposed of much rubbish
that has been uttered against them. Patents
issued in this country cannot be classed with
monopoes which deprive people of their
rights. They are issued on new inventions
ONLY. Till the invention has taken place the
thing which the patent covers did not exist !;
it could not have been possessed by anybody,
and no person could have had any right in 1t
which a patent might take away. Every new
and useful invention is gain to the world,
since the patent only gives the possible profits
on it to the inventor for limited time. The
stimulus that is afforded to ingenuity by our
Patent laws must always be reckOned as
among the chief influences which have placed
us in the front rank of nations.
The Canal Board dispatched some business
of general interest at yesterdays session. In
the case of Division Engineer Fay, whose neg
lect of duty was set forth in the reports OF the
Canal Commission, the policy heretofore cstab-
hshed of Suspension instead of summary re-
moyal was adhered to, but there can be no
doubt of Mr.. Fay's early retirement from
official life. The most important action of the
Board, however, was the adoption of the resOlu-
tiOns offered by Lieut-GOv. DOrsheimer sus-
pending the work now going on III Black Rock
Harbor in defiance of law, and directing
that no further payments be made
for such work. The resolutions also call upon
the Commissioners of the Western Division
and the State Engineer and Surveyor to pro-
duce plans and maps upon which this Black
Rock Harbor work is conducted, together with
all contracts covering the work. Mr.. Dor
sheimer and Mr.. Willers seem determined to