New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-30

turning Board, the charge assumes serious
shape. 1t might be well for ex-Gov. Wells to
rise and explain.
Testimony from practical engineers respect
ing the wrecked bridge at Ashtabula will be
read with attention. Mr.. Howland's evidence
is very positive in attributlng the weakness OF
the bridge to want of strength in the top
chord and braces. According to tins view
there was iron enough in the bridge, but 1t
was not put where it would do the most good.
There seems to be no lack of explanations
of the disaster; indeed there is a prospect OF
so many of them that everybody can take his
pick and have his own opinion.
SUSPENSE is again excited by the peace nego-
tiatiops initiated between the Porte ard the
allied princes of Scrva and Montenegro. In
this new diplomatic game the Turks strive to
ALLEVIATE the princes from Russia, to avert all
attempts at coercion. and give Western Europe
the impression that they are seriously intent
on reform On their part, the Sercians and
Montcnegrins are inclined to consider the
Turkish proposals with the view OF testing the
sincerity of Russia, and forcing her into an
actual alliance. Austria and Great Britain look
on approvingly, still hoping against hope that
all pretcxt for RussO-Turkish war may be
removed. This diplomatic fencing might he
almost iaterminabe, wero not the aImisticc
fast coming to close with little prospect OF
It's being renewed without a definite under
standing.
The abduction of a boy yesterday in broad
4! .aI IIsfI
of the city will doubtless cause good deal OF
unnecessary alarm among parents, and, on the
other hand, may bring about the adoption OF
some precautions to insure the safety OF school
children of tender years. 1t is difficult, to be
sure. to say what could have been done Ill this
case. There was no force used, and there was
no attempt to brighten the boy; there was
| nothing about the affair to attract attention
| he was led quietly away from his own play
| mates by the magnet Of a silver quartcr-and
has not been seen since. 1t will be a curl
| ous commentary on the incOmpletcness, inev-
liable perhaps, of police methods, if this case
| is allowed to rival that which has made
little Philadelphia boy known wherever the
| English language is spoken, and demanded Tor
| his sorrOwing people the sympathy OF a
whole country. We hope to see the New ork
police get back Master Kane promptly.
Last nights caucus in the House completes
the roll of Congressional members OF the
Electoral Commission. The Senate Dranch
will consist Of Mcssrs. Edmunds, Morton, and
Frelinghuysen Republicans, and Messrs. Thur
man and Bayard, Democrats, and the House
| branch of Messrs Payne, Hunton, and Abbott,
Democrats. and Messrs. Garfield and Hoar,
| Republicans. The lists make an excellent
| showing for the moderation and fairness OF
| both houses. Every member is man OF
| HIGH personal character and undoubted
ability, some of them among the most
| capable men in either house OF Con-
| grcss. Probably the best lawyers and some
of the best men in Congress are here. II the
composition of any one portion of tins JOINT
| committee will excite surprise, it will he the
representation of the Democrats OF the House.
| The choice by majority which can hardly
| claim moderation among its virtues OF three
| moderate and conscientious men Will be the
| subject of more congratulatiOn than the fore
| gone nomination of such men as Thurman and
| Rovard in the Senate, and Garfield and Hoar
in the House. 1t must be admitted, too, that
thc opponents of the bill have been fairly
| treated. The Democrats, casting less than u
| score of votes in one house against the bill
| and but one vote in the other, naturally gave
| their entire representation to its friends /;
and the Republicans filed two of their five
places with the two most conspicuous opponents
| of the BILL The work of the commission is
| therefore in The hands Of its projectors and
the only question yet unanswered as to It's
composition is, Who shall be the fifth judge I
The conference held yesterday at the Cham
| Der of Commerce on the subject of the Docks
deserves respectful attention. In 1t were
represented number of our most important
mercantile bodies-thc Chamber OF Commerce,
the Produce Exchange, the Cotton Exchange,
the Cheap Transportation Association the
Shin Owners Association, and the Board OF
Trade. and with the members Of these societies
WAS associated the Council Of Political Reform.
The report presented yesterday will be fol-
lowed in due time Ivy other reports. Mean
while we have abundant food for reflection.
and discussion in tie paper which MesSrS
Webb, Schwab, and their companions have
presented TO the public. The gentlemen whose
names are signed to the report discam at the
outSpt any intention to reflect upon the con-
duet of the present Dock Commissioners. The
system Under which these officers arc COM
pelIcd TO act is a legacy of darker days
OF municipal extravaganza and mlsl'lie'
and they are not responsible for IT. Rc-
Numbering, however that the Commissioners
are authorized to bond the city to the amount
of three millions "a year III the prosecution OF