New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-19

CLING earned on IN the TRUNKS Oh bteaihsiiiP
passengers has long been suspected. Mr.. IL.
G. johnson. in his recent report az Commits
sioner of CustOms---made to the Secretary OF
the Treasury estimated the amount of dutiablc
merchandise entered as passengers baggage In
a single year at $12S,O0O.OOO Large as are
these figures, they do not seem 80 improbable,
in view of the systematic methods elsewhere
described by which this class of frauds is
conducted.
AS was anticipated, tho Conference Commit
tee reported favOrably on all the rest OF the
Supply bill, but failed entirely to agree con-
corning the New Capitol Commission and the
Emira RefOrmatOry. Another Conference Com
mittee will resume the consideration of these
two subjects, but If, as is suspected, its men,
beers still reflect the opposing views OF the
two Houses, an agreement may be as FAR OIL
as ever. In the Assembly, the section OF the
Supply bill that provided for the sale OF the
property of the Seamen's Retreat on Staten
Island was stricken out.
An old topic of excited discussion seems to
have been suddenly sprung on the House in
the Railroad Classification bill introduced by
Mr.. Costgan 1t is claimed that the measure
has many features in common with the old
Erie Classification bill. Its Importance will be
recognized from the fact that it repeats the
sections of the law of 1868 that prevent the
same individuals from being at once stock
holders directors, or officers in the Erie Kali
way and in the New-YOrk Central, Hudson
River, or Harlem Railroads, and also prohibit
consolidation of stock between the Erie and the
other roads above named.
Among the most absurd efforts of the Whisky
Ring to cOunteract the moral effect OF Secre-
tary BristOws attack on their intrenchments
is the endeavOr to represent the whole
thing as merely political movement, having
only i'm view the advancement of the Sccrc-
tary's hopes of the Presidency. The active
work that he is doing in tearing to pieces
their combinations and unearthlng their frauds,
suffers no diminutiOn from this discussion OF
his motives Determined honesty in Office is,
however so new to the whisky dealers, that
they think some explanation OF it Is necessary.
Several bills of importance to our citizens
were acted upon yesterday in the Assembly.
Among them was one which provides that when
ever the Commissioner of Public Works of this
city shall report to the Board of Aldermen
that street needs repaving, they shall have
the power to direct it this bill passed to
third reading. The Civil Justices bill, born
of a corrupt political bargain. met with just
fate and was strangled by close vote. The
resolution giving power to the Governor to
appoint Commissioners to carry out the re-
forms in the government of Cities suggested
IL, 10
sitiOn.
From the account given in our London let
ter 1t will be seen that the incidents of the
Jefferson Borden mutny do not differ very
materially from those which frequently take
place in the Pacific and Indian oceans. An
especial interest attaches to this particular
case, however, from the fact that the horrible
affair took place on an American schooner
from an American port, line of travel
over which vessels frequently pass. One les
son, at least, is taught by the matter. The ut
most possible inquiry into the character of
seamen should be made before they are ac-
ccpted as part of ships crew.
Quick work was made in the Assembly with
the Hustled bill for Rapid Transit Its passage
blymcn at least have awakened to popular
anxiety on the subject. To-day it is to be re-
ported at the morning session of the Senate
The clause that gave to the Governor the
selection of commissioners was expected to be
battle-ground of debate, bat IN amendment
comforting this power upon local boards OF
supervisors, or where road is entirely within
a city, upon its Mayor was passed without the
expected food of talk SO far, the bill itself
has had rapid transit; let Us hope that rapid
transit itself will soon follow the BILL 10 the
Committee of Aldermen from this city the
Governor has expressed his anxiety to advance
the good cause, but he seems In doubt whether
the Moore bill will accomplish that object.
We print this morning the protest of the
representatives of the medical profession in
New York against the action of the Board of
Ma lagcrs of the Presbyterian Hospital, III dis
missing four members of the visiting staff OF
that institution without assigning any cause
for such a proceeding. This protest cannot
but attract general attention for many reasons.
1t is energetic in expression, and must neccs-
sarily provoke some reply from the managers
whose action is so severely criticised. The
list of signers is remarkably strong, cOmpris-
ing the leading members of the profession in
almost every department of medical science,
and, what is worth noticing, it does not en-
brace any of the staff whose members are ag-
grieved. 1t seems to be, and no doubt is, a
spontaneous protest of the prominent plysi-
clans and surgeons of the city against what
they consider an unjust and injudicious meas
urc which, if not met and reversed, may
prove an injurious precedent
PRESIDENT GRANTS PURPOSE.