New-York tribune., 1877-03-12

tinction rs a naval constructor under the EN-
pire, and took a prominent part in promoting the
efficiency of the fleet After Sedan, he readily
supported the Provisional Government, and
tOiled assiduously to complete balloon from
which great things were expected. lie cannot
fail to prove a valuable member of the Senate,
whatever contingencies may arise.
It is good news that Gen. Garfield has de-
cided, at the Presidents request to remain IN
the House and to foregO the brilliant prize OF
the Scnatorship almost within his grasp.
While there will be in the new House some
able Republicans who were not in the Old,
there will be none who could supply Gen
Garfield's place if he should be removed. Inc
Senate can take care of itself, but the narrow
margin between the parties in the House makes q
strong leader indispensable to Republicans.
HIS exertiOns alone might effect great ana
vital changes This much must be said for
the interests of Gen. Garfied's party; as Tor
his own, it will strike the average man that 1t
is better to lead in the House than to follow
in the Senate.
The views of local politicians of both par
ties on the new bill respecting the city gov
ernment just framed at Albany, will be found
elsewhere. 1t will surprise no one 10
find that these gentlemen do not discuss
the reforms this measure will achieve
so much as the changes it Will WORK
in their personal circumstances. Ihey
are chiefly concerned to know that Repub-
lican would be left for the time being at the
head of this Department and q Democrat at
the head of that, and that a large amount OF
patronage would be lost in the consolidation
of branches and bureaus. The heads of De-
partments deal more with the merits OF
the matter, and make some objections when
may be found valid. There can be no
question, however, Of the wisdom OF reducing
the present extravagant proportions OF the
city government. The bill under consideration
should be carefully examined to see that no
Job slips in unawares, and no 1njudici0us
changes are effected in the present system
but almost all of its conspicuous features COM
mend themselves to general approval. The
great difficulty will be that just at the point
at which it will serve the interests of the tax
payers it will damage those of the politicians,
and they will defeat it by delay or some other
of the numerous arlfices which they know
how to employ. Nevertheless, bold push
ought to be made to carry some such measure.
President HAYES went halfway to meet the
South and the South seems to be coming more
than halfway to meet him. The friendly
assurances OF the Richmond Democratic press
are followed now by meeting of the business
| men of Memphis, which, through committee
on resolutions composed entirely Of Demo-
Gratis and including three eX-Confedcrate
officers pledges them to uphold and sustain
81 him (the PresidenD in every just and const-
| "tutional measure or act of his Administration
"having for its object the permanent pac-
"fication and reconciliation of the people and
Estates of the Federal Union" This unrcseryed
declaration of policy is followed by formal
| vote of thanks to Mr.. Key for accepting a
place in the Cabinet. There are many other
indications that the Southern people believe
now they have found the President they
have been waiting for. They are not
| likely to lessen in number when
the policy, outlined in our Washington
dispatches this morning, is once definitely an
nounced. The President will not be influenced
at all, in considering what shall be done to
pacify the two unsettled States, by the fear
| that the Democratic press may do some er
post fdcto yelpng about his own title. He will
DO Justice and let the past take care of itself
| Furthermore, the use of troops in supporting
State Governments will speedily come to an
epd.-Is not this President the South can
| suDOort7