New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-10

is also entered on their behalf, but the charges
made to-day in our Washington dispatches and in
the statements of a business man OF twenty
six years. standing are such as no general
negative will meet. While they do not in
volve large amounts, they indicate loose
discipline and low standard of official honor.
Some of these practices are conducted openly
and admit of no defense, but there are others
which are yet to he proved against the adj
ministration of the CustOm-h0use. 1t Is to DE
hoped that some of them at least may be
cleared up. Meanwhile, it would be well for
Deputy Collector Lydccker 10 rise and explain.
1t seems that the Porte is tired of diplo-
macy ard deems war inevitable. The inability
of the Council of Ministers to come to any
decision yesterday results evidently from the
conviction that nothing can be gained by
further negotiations. This impression might
be warranted 10y the attitude OF Montenegro.
That small State, with One-flith less people
than this city, Joined Servia last year in the
war against Turkey. Servia bore the brunt OF
the conflict and was glad to make peace on
the reasonable terms offered by the Porte at the
conclusion of the Conference. But Montenegro
ia in no haste to follow her example. Week
after week Prince Nicholas persists in claim
ing territory which the Porte cannot surrender
without danger of revolt at the capital.
The Prince being completely in accord with
Russia, the Powers naturally conclude that ne
would come to terms were he not withheld by
counsel from st. Petersburg. Until Prince
Nicholas abates his demands, the Porte Is
therefore not likely to engage in diplomatic
game with the odds so largely against 1t.
A New-Oreans letter sets forth elsewhere
some facts which must be understood before the
difficulties in. the way of the Louisiana Com
mission can be fairly estimated. Gov. Mich
oils seems to have received almost, II not
unite. as general a recognition from the people
of his State rs Gov. Hampton i'll his, but
the weak point in his Government is
the composition Of the Supreme Court,
which is brand new tribunal con-
frmcd by a Senate without legal quorum.
Mr.. Packard's Supreme Court on the other
hand was confirmed by a Senate with
quorum of members declared elected by the
Returning Board. This complication raises
number of embarrassing questions which the
Commission may not be able to meet success
1ulJY. JtIlIl)S JltiI tliOilS may w hiu'N ~
the perfect willingness of number of prOmi-
nent Republican leaders, whose names our
correspondent gives, to see Nichols sustained
The fact that several of the most conspicuous
of these are mere political advendurcrS only
adds to the presumption that Mr.. Nichols Is
tie coming Governor. This presumption is
itself strengthened by the failure, reported in
Our New Orleans dispatches, of the Commits
sion's scheme for fusion Legislature made mp
of members from both sides whose election Is
conceded by both. The compromise, which
will now be sought by making up Legisla-
ture of all members elected on the face
of the returns, can hardly fail to excite as bit
ter opposition from the Packard partisans as
that which has just failed aroused among the
supporters of Nichols. The prospect OF sue
cessful termination of the labors of the Com
mission is not therefore encouraging.