New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-08

good old Democratic holiday" which COM
mcmorates the battle of New-Oreans. Is the
General backing off into the Democratic
party to get better range for his bricks
We may see him again in Democratic con-
vention, voting ffty-nne times more for JEFF
ferson Davis.
The gas companies seem to have learned
moderation from defeat. They were ignomin-
iously beaten a few months ago in their at
tempt to force the city to pay extmvagant
prices, and promptly surrendered. Now they
have rctrcated AGAIN, and their prices seem
moderate in comparison with what they once
were. The result is considerable saving to
the city.
ANYTHING more sudden than the dissolution
of the Chamber of Life Insurance can scarcely
be imagined. 1t appears simply to have fallen
apart at the last meeting and nobody cared
to pick mp the pieces. It's original object was
to promote harmonious action between rival
companies. At present the business Is not
quite lively enough for rivalry, but the good
influence Of ihc Chamber. III checking public
quirrcls between companies, may nevertheless
bc missed.
Both Houses Of Congress have now passed
the mll 10 relieve the survivors of the
Huron disaster, as well as the heirs OF those
who lost their lives. The Senate yesterday
passed the bill with amendments in which the
House promptly concuIcd. The heirs of those
lost on the steamer. and of Captain Guthrie,
of the LiiC-Sayiug Service, will receive years
pay, and the heirs of those Of the rcscune
purity who were lost, will receive 500; the
survivors, officers of the Huron, and others,
are also remembered. IT is pleasant to know
that something has been done, and that, too
with unusual promptucss, for the sufferers 10y
this dreadful calamity.
The attempt Of Tammany Hall to steal
seat in the Senate has been defeated earlier
than there seemed any reason to hope. 1t was
certain that ;hc Senate would admit the man
who WAS elected from the Ninth Senatorial
District, and not the man who was
counted in; hut it was not expected
that solidly Democratic Board OF
state Canyas,crs would almost unanimously
reject Mr. Lath,rs and seat Judge Robertson.
Hu. thls is just what has happened. The
Board. CONSISTING of the Secretary of state,
Nr Bi-clow. Controller Olcott, Atorncy-Gen-
Gal lauchild, State Engineer Van Barren and
state Treasurer Ross. has awarded the seat 90
Judge Robertson. Mr. Birolow alone dissenting
Mr. Lathor' based his claim uron the ground
that Che Board hid 10 right to 60 behind the
district returns, while j, was urged, in Judge
Robcrtson's behalf. that the errors in the bal
lots which were thrown ont did not render
them illegal. The Board h;s rendered a de-
cisicn only in accordance with the dictates Of
simple justice, but in doing this its members
have exhibited an independence of political
considerations not often seen in canyassing
bodies.
The pervcrsity of President MacMahon is
again apparent in the obstacle which he now
offers to the formation of a Republican Minis |
try. Driven to tho wall, he accepted II. Du- !
faure's terms. which included tull control |
of the Government patronage, and the ac- /
ccptauce of measures modifying mar |
tial law, and increasing freedom OF the /
press. lie reserved, however the right to !
retain in Office the Ministers Of War; Marine |
and Foreign Affairs, on the ground that it
was against the public interest to have an |
other change made in these depart /.
mcnts, which sho1d be disconnected with |.
political parties. ". Duiawc, Of course
declined this prcp1storous bargain, although
he was willing 20 consult the Presidents
wishes in filling thee appointments. Mac
Nahon has now turned to Nj. Batbie,
and invited him to form Cabinet.
This Senator is a distinguished lawyer from
Gers, who has written on political ccono-
my, and was one of the members in the last
National Assembly who called on President
Theirs to adopt conservative policy.
In the Senate he is in the "group"
which holds the balance Of power, and
has steadily advocated submission 10 the
popular will. 1t remains to be seen if he can
form Ministry which the Republican major
lily will tolerate. Everything indicates that
they will firmly refuse to accept the reaction
aly Ministers which MacMahon would force on
them, both on the ground of principle and Sc
curity. They are as sorcly tired as was Tan
talus, but in the end they must conquer
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TIE NEW YORK TRIBUNE FOR 1873.
THE TRIBUNE has long enjoyed the distinc
tion of the largest circulation among the best