New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-22

was repeated. 1t is difficult to conceive OF
negligence Ur indifference more culpable IMAM
this. The men who have committed the crime
ought not to escape the penalty.
France and Germany continue to be embar-
raised in their relations by distrlist Ill DOth
countries, The French having declared that
the Germans were fortifying Metz, the Berlin
press reply by intimating. that the French
Government is importing corn for army
purposes H-feeling has also been stlm-
ulated by the conduct OF the French
representative at the conference, where, IL IL
alleged, he acted in opposition to German IN
terests. The press on both sides can do
great deal to allay this scnseleSs hostility ana
it is creditable to the French journals that
they have resolved to refrain from paper
war.
The testimony of one of the persons en-
ployed in constructing the bridge at Ashta-
bula shows that the performance was carried
on after the method of the blind leading the
blind. The witness was master machlnist,
but he did not consider that he knew enough
of bridge building to warrant him III calling
attention to the fact that he perceived
there was something wrong-a deficiency
of material. The man who was ordered to
erect the bridgc-a Mr.. Rogers-knew less
about the business than even that witness, ana
indeed did not know how to proceed at all.
so the witness told Mr.. Rogers all he knew"
and then Mr.. Rogers went ahead and erected
the bridge. It's fall seems now less OF
my SteTy.
The stupendOus character Of the natural
forces employed in modern chemical processes
is at frequent intervals shown by great expio-
sions, such as that of Saturday at Glen Cove.
Nobody unfamiliar with the secrets OF the
busincss would have imagined that such
pottlt agent of destruction was locked up III
the boiler of starch factory. Perhaps the
inquest will determine whether the explO-
sion was caused by an overpressurc of steam
or by the sudden development of gas
through some unexpected action of the
chemicals in the boiler. The fact that
the boiler was lined with lead indi-
Gates that sulphuric acid was used directly OF
indirectly in the manufacture. 1t will remain
| to be shown whether that acid, acting on vege-
table material under the pressure OF steam,
miQht convert a portion into an explosive sub
stance similar TO gun cotton. In that case the
explosion at Glen Cove can be fairly coupled
with that Of the celluloid factory ut Newark.
Mr.. Morton, as the recognized representative
of Louisiana claimants, has presented the Gre
dcntiais of Gov. Kellogg as Senator, just us ne
presented those of Mr. Pinchback. But the
public will be glad TO believe, as he doubtless
does, that no such heightened and wearisome
contest awaits the newcomer as that from winch
MIR. Pinchhack has emerged with his profess
siona smile unimpaircd. y great many blessings
are to come with rush, let us hope, III the
track OF "A settlement of the great controversy,
and not least among them ought to be deci-
sion of tbs Louisiana contest that has
yexed the public ear for four years, and
disturbed the Senate all that time with Mr..
Pinchbacl's lively rat-tat-tat at It's door,
speedy disposition of the Presidency must IN
eyitably, it would seem, dispose of this one
troublesome SenatOrship. Counting the vote OF
| Louisiana for Hayes could hardly fail TO admit
Mr.. Kellogg, just as counting it for 11iden
could hardly fail to admit his Democratic COM
petitor. Unless, therefore, some unexpected
contingency should arise, such as the rejection
of tie vote OF the State OF new election,
the Louisiana claimant is likely to cease from
boring the soul of the nation.