New-York tribune., 1875-02-03

NEW WsIOON
Mr.. Montgomery II. Throop as to the progress
of the revision and codifcation of the State
statutes.
There is every indication of divisions
among the English Liberals. We have little
reason to expect o decision in regard to the
leadership which will place the party in an ad-
vantageous position.
Mr.. Frederick w. Seward has done good
thing for the city in the introduction OF bill
in the Assembly providing for placing better
pavement on Fifth Avenue from Waverley
Place to Ninetieth Street. The bill is said to
have the recommendation of the City Govern
ment as well as that of many well-known resi-
dents and heavy taxpayers; certainly Its object
is generally approved.
For the first time during the Presidency Of
Marshal MacMahon there is On encouraging
prospect for the Republic in France. The
Right Center is acting In harmony with all
the fractions of tho Left. The most striking
result of this combination is the adoption OF
the principle of dissolution by very large
majority 1t is too early to become enthusl-
astic over this state of affairs; but we have
CLEAN of hope which may shortly increase In
brightness.
Representatives of railways, which united
many months ago to maintain uniform rates
and abolish commissions, come together In this
city to-day to try to lessen some OF the frlc-
tion which has been found in the working OF
their machinery Of association. Some OF
them still claim gravely to be unconscious
of any differences between the associated
roads either at the East or the West. 1t is
asserted that present railway rates on grain
do not pay running expenses. The meeting
to-day will probably be moro animated than
harmonious in the suggestion of remedies Tor
the present unsatisfactory state OF things.
The most interesting feature of the test-
mony before the Hoar Investigation Commit
tee Yesterday was Gen. Badgers brief narrative
of the events Of the 14th of September in
New-Orleans. Gen. Badger is the Chief Of
Kellogg's Metropolitan Police. and was in COM
mand of the Kellogg forces in the street fight.
Being badly wounded, he was taken from
the field and kindly cared for by the White
Leaguers. His testimony as to the affair In
which he was wounded is valuable and in
teresting what he has to say of the scenes Of
the day of election is worth nothing, as he
was in hospital, dangerously i'll, on that day.
Distrct-Attorney Beckwith followed Gen.
Badger, going way back to the Grant Parish
troubles in search of an outrage.
By the London letter given on our eighth
page it will be seen that Earl Russell has ad-
mitted that he did wrong in permitting the
escape of the Alabama. He has been long
enough engaged in keeping this conviction at
distance, and we should probably commend
him for his present frank admission Of his
error. He seems to fear, however, that we
may be encouraged to believe that his views
have also undergone change in regard to
the perliciOus influence of the Treaty OF
WasbiDtton. The hard words which he
uses toward us are amply sufficient to dissi-
pate any such impression. But very few
persons in this country would venture to sup
pose that Earl Russelfs sentiments would
undergo such a complete and radical change
at this time Judging by the time which has
already been necessary to bring about the ac-
KuOWIeORIUeuJ WHICH VIC uUW hafOs "O iS~i
that it will be many years before an admis-
sion of all his errors in regard to this country
will be in order. Considering Earl RusselPs
advanced age, we may wait for it in vain.
Few of the wanderers in celestial space are
of more interest to astronomers than Enoke's
comet. The announcement in our dispatches
from Washington, this morning, that it has
been found by means of the great telescope
of the United States Naval Observatory will
be welcome news to those who have made this
subject their study, while it reflects great
credit on the observers in charge of the
2G-inch equatorial and adds another chapter
to its triumphs. The reasons for the special
interest taken in this comet may be briefly
mentioned. Its orbit is entirely within the
solar system. 1t was first seen in 1886, and
was identified by EnCke as periodical comet
in 1918. Its period is about 3.3 years. The
disturbing influences of planets make the cal
culation of its path matter of great difficulty.
There is said to be evidence that it is gradually
approaching the sun, and this is alleged as a
proof that there is a resisting medium in
space. A controversy over this question,
which incidentally involves the destiny of the
whole solar system, has been in progress Tor
many years.