New-York tribune., 1877-09-20


pays, and if no higher considerations move
them. perhaps that will be effective to save
them from dishonor.
While the Rapid Transit companies are evil
IDENTIFY determined to begin at once the con-
struction of their roads, it is equally evident
that their opponents have not given up the
contest. The large interests which have fought
Rapid Transit from the start, intend to. fight it
still. The lawyers of the horse-car companies
and the property owners are busily at work,
and there is already an announcement OF a
probable appeal to the United States Supreme
Court, on the Constitutional question that the
property of the Sixth Avenue horse-car Company
will be impaired by the construction OF such
roadway above it as will stop the running OF
the o-story" cars. 1t remains to be seen,
however whether the courts will lend them
selves to purely obstructive suits In any case,
the Rapid Transit companies can keep the lear
of damages before the eyes of those who de-
mand iniunctions against them from the courts.
Controller Kellys statement of the receipts
of the Staten Island and Hudson River ferries,
and the amounts which they pay into the
City Treasury, is sufficient to end all argu-
ment on the question. 1t is evident that these
companies are enjoying, i'll almost all theSc
cases, highly valuable franchises for consider
alton which is only fraction OF the proper
amount. There is no reason why the city
should not receive from all of these
companies a Just share of their earnings.
Such a tax is not a burden upon the people,
but help to the people, as it goes into the
general treasury ; and to refrain from collecting
il would be simply to give away large sum OF
the money of the people to private corporations.
There seems to be reason to hope now that
the whole question of ferry franchises VIII DE
thoroughly investigated, and settled with due
regard both to the capabilities of the COM
panies and the rights of the city.
The Democrats of New-Jersey have certainly
done much better than was to be expected,
and that cannot always be said of Democratic
Conventions. The nomination OF either MIR.
Albeit or Mr.. Stockton would have been
woful mistake, the fruits of which would have
been more appalling if he had been elected
than if he had been defeated. The nom-
nation of Gen. Mcclellan was riOtously
made of course-no Democratic body can
hold itself in, when his name is men
toned but it is one against which no accuSa-
tion of venality can be brought, and, moreover,
will fire the heart of the Democracy from
Hudson to Camden with a great enthusiasm
The platform, too, is better than might have
been expected, though it might have com
piised greater number OF subjects. III is
moderate in tone, and the fraud" yell Is
mild The wOIkingmen, however, VIII be
chiefly delighted with it. They will be
greatly relieved to know that the Democratic
party boldly demands" the collection of sta
q" tistical information on the labor question !
President MacMahon's appeal is at once
specious and ambiguous. Despite Gambettas
public denial, he charges the late Chamber OF
Deputies with yielding to Radcalism, and
aiming at exclusive power. Having thus
vaguely explained why he appealed to the
county to reject the Deputies it had re-
turned only fifteen months before, the
Marshal seeks ito c0ncilate the Moderate
Republicans by avowing his respect for
the Constitution, and denying that he in
tends to overthrow the Republic After this
assertion he could only broadly ask for a Cham
Der which woud-unlike hrmself-rise above
"party Iivalries and occupy itself, before all
things, with the cOuntry's affairs" In other
words, he wants docile assemblage,
which will attend only to material in
terests. and not disturb him by new
notions on freedom of the press, the
spread of education, and the powers of the
Executive. With amazing egotism, the Marshal
next informs the electors that, as candidates
misused his name at the last election, the
Government will designate those who are au
thorized to count themselves as his sup
porters After this presumptuous attempt
to tell the French people whom they
should support, the Marshal shows his distrust
of their submissIveneSs by practically declaring
that he will remain in power, whatever may
be the popular verdict. This extraordinary
address reflects the abnormal state of public
affairs in France. Politically, the Marshal and
his Ministers are in another Sedan, and must
eventually surrender. But with the instinct OF
a soldier, their leader tries every arti6ce to
defer the inevitable hour.
Massachusetts, must be considered the Presi-
dents stronghold. Not even in his own State
has he received such personal tribute from
the representatives of his party, and his Adj
minis.ration is rewarded with an almost profuse
approval, beside which the brief commendation
of the Ohio Republicans seems poor indeed.
The Cleveland Convention contented itself
with affirming its 'unfalterlng confidence in
" President Hayes as a statesman, patriot and
"Republican" and "cOrdially approving and
supporting his efforts for the pacifcatiOn of
the country and the establishment of Civil
A. lo..a Of aud nfft