New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-17


may not be far distant when this one vote
may be balance of power in the Senate.
There has been so much backing and filing,
and so much of what seems to the unimil-
ated public mere dividing, over the proposed
changes in the New-York Custom House, that
it will be as well to wait till the nominations
are actually in, before assuming that the slate
latest announced is the final one. According
to last nights reports the three places are to
he given to MessIs. Roosevelt, Merritt and
Prnce--a rather queer, but entirely respectable
mixture.
Or the 515 French deputies actually elected
314 are Republican, and POI CONSERVATIVES"
Of oarious types. II the last Chamber there
we're 500 Republicans, and 1877 Con
scrvatives." While the Republican major
ity is thus reduced from 100 to 100, the
Conservative or MOnarchiSt element Is not
strong enough TO be dangerous. 1t Is COM
posed of members of hosti parties, who
established for the moment hollow truce. IN
order that they might oppose the common
enemy of kingly rule. 1t is obvious that they
viii be at disadvantage in cOntending with
the Republicans who are strongly resolved to
uphold the Democratic principles in the const-
tudOn, however much they may differ on less
vital points.
Corporation Counsel Whitney's proposed or
dinance to regulate the carrying Of pistols
would tend to check a dangerous practice, and
seems to have been drawn with a scrupulous
regard for personal rights. The habitual car
rying of firearms by lawlcss and irresponsible
persons results in many crimes that would not
he committed if the murderous weapon was
not always ready 10 the hand of the man who
would be glad afterwards, if lie had been COM
PEELED to think what he WIS doing. On the
other hand, former attempts to restrict the
CARRYING of pistols have been resisted on the
ground that only laW-abiding citizens would
obey, and they would be thus left defencelcss
against !hose who were not law-abidIng. EX-
actly this result, however seems to have been
carefully guarded against in the proposed or
dinance.
The Presidents message is brief. business
like and sensible, asking no legislation which
is not of present importance, and making no
recommendations t. which any partisan meaning
can be attached. l. is to be hoped that Congress
VIII act promptly upon the suggestion for
immediate legislation with respect to the Paris
Exhibition. There ought to be no further de-
lay in this matter. The interests of American
exhibitors have surely suffered enough already.
Another recommendation which Congress ought
to heed is that in which the President sGg-
gests that the appropriation for the army be
made for its present maximum figure OF 25,OOO
men, leaving all questions of reduction OF in
crease to future action The pay of the army
is in arrears three and half months and, If
Congress takes up the question of reduction. it
will he some months more before the officers ard
men, who have already been subjected to much
Inconvenience, can get their pay through the
prOper channels One OF the oldest of cOntro-
versies woud have to be fought over again
from beginning to end, and no result could DE
reached until every Southern General and
every Western Judge had edited the matt II
with ms views on q standing army. Let the
appropriation be made. and when the men have
got their pay, the problem of the size OF the
army can be discussed with elaboration, and
probably with discretion. General McClelan
and Chief Joseph have combined to erlighten
! the Democratic members on that point