New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-15
wbv would not tho Honorable Alexande, n

| WHY would not tho Honorable Alexander n
Cattell of New-Jersoy make a natural successor IN
Gen. Schenck 7--unless indeed the General didn't in.
tend to " go out" after making good his ante
| but still holds the age" and hopes yet to "rass
OUT all other claimants. Mr. Butler couldn't bring
| against the ex-senator q railing accusation of liter.
airy piracy; his mental faculties have not been
stimulated by artificial and scholastic culture To
such an eneryatng extent that he can be stgmatized
as one of "them literary felers" who seem to be
source of irritation to Mr. Cameron; and he never
wrote an indignant letter to anybody who could
I cast vote against him. 1t was alleged against Mr.
Motley by the President of the United States that
he parted his hair in the middle, but the adomment
Of Mr. Cattelps scalp is sufficiently fragmentary and
local to prevent any such improperly, even il be
were so abandoned to attempt it, But beyond
thescSegative merits Mr.. Cattell has positive and
substantial claims upon this Administration
| He discovered Mr.. Borie; he created Mr.. Robson,
and he has exercised q sustained and benefcent su-
peryision the f,agy department., more especially
so far as ascerained in the matter of clothing and
supplies Besides, he has already represented this
| Government in vague and expansive sort of way
as financial agent" in London, and he would have
been there to-day but for the fact that Of his
methods could not be comfortably accommodated in
the non-elastic ethisS system of Mr. B. H. Bristov
And then, Mr.. Cattell is an advanced political
thinker entertaining practical modern views in re-
gard to the scope and Of official station and be
has become an expert in the art Of Gliding inyest
kgation. What more Opportune moment for reward
ing friend of the family, who is 30 amply equipped
and who has "been there! !" Is he not under very
warm fire Is he not spoken Of with irreverence by
the licentous press And would he not appreciate
80 characteristic vindicationf
An ingenious instrument has recently been In.
vented in England by Mr. C. Williams Siemens, for
determining the depth of the without the use OF
sounding line, Hung up in the cabin of a shpit
will at any moment indicate what is the depth Of the
water below In an illustrated description Of the i'll.
strument IN Naturo, the principle of construction is
shown to depend on the variations in gravity which
result from the interpOstion at of water. which
has less attractive force than earth for body on its
surface. The attraction of gravity is determined by
the density of the earth, which may be roughly est
mated as about the average of surface rock and
about 5l2 times that of sea-water. Consequently il
ship could be weighed in spring balance it would
be found lightest when on the deepest water. In
Mr.. Semenss device, column of mercury is hung
in q spring balance, and very delicate contrlyaDces
indicate the exceedingly slight differences in
weight. 1t will give notion Of the del
icacy of the instrument to mention that tho
record it gives for change of latitude is far greater
than for sea depths and has to be allowed for in cal
cuaton Of course this should be the case since the
earth is 26l2 miles thicker at the Equator than Of
the Poles Tested by the soundings of the Challen-
ger the readings of the instrument have proved re-
markedly accurate. When the contour of the ocean
bed is better ascertaned the will thus be az
forded to the mariner of ascertaining his position,
by studying the indications of this index to the
depth of water beneath him when the sky is too
much clouded for observation. contriyanco for
showing the difference in the earths thickness by
means of a weight suspended from spring. is figured
in Herscheps Outlines of Astronomy, but we are not
aware that any practical use was made OF 1t, II In
deed it was ever constructed.
We are glad to SEQ tho Police Commissioners are
taking to regulating the cabs. 1t is unfortunate
that they have to enforce their proposed improve
ments in this semi-pubic service through the Alder
men. If tho Board would pass ordinance giving
the police absolute authority all public coaches
the advantages would soon show themselves. The
police should even have the licensing of cabs; then
each policeman would be an inspector, charged
with seeing their good condition maintained, their
position at appropriate stands observed their speed
regulated their charges supervised, and would be a
proper person TO decide appeals from passengers
suspect imposition. In Paris ard London policemen
frequently call cabs for passengers announce to the
driver the desired destination and inform the passen
ger of the proper amount which he is to pay. Just
now the Police Board is asking the Aldermen to re-
quire hackmen to light their lamps at certain hour
each day-a very wise regulation, sadly in need OF
strict enforcement In Paris this regulation is mper
alive and no plea of haste will prevent driver from
stopping at the regulation hour to light his lamps
The consequence Is hatmuch danger from accidents
ia avoided. The sama regnla ton shoul be enforced