New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-09

since renewed their angry demonstrations. If
this conduct continues, the Swiss Will lose that
reputation for lnvincible loyalty which Is
legendary in Europe.
The single sentence In the RussO-Tufklsh
treaty, that " the question of the Turco-Persian
" frontier shall be speedily settled" accounts
for the credence given to the report that Russia Is
abont TO give Persia the district of BayaAd
for more desirable territory on the Caspian
Sea. Although the Shah denies the contem-
Mated transfer, the circumstances must re-
mind England that Persian alliance with
Russia may be one of the sequels to the war;
In that event, the cry that India Is in danger
might be raised with good reason.
Acknowledgement Schoonmaker reports to
the Legislature, in response to the resolution
of Mr.. Brooks, that the State has ample power
to make all regulations with respect to the use
by vessels of danger signals, lights, etc, I'D
fogs and at night which are found necessary
for the protection of life and property. This
decision authorizes the Legislature to take ac-
ton, which should be prompt and thorough 10
prevent the recurrence of such accidents as
those which gave rise to this resolution, and 1t
| will be impossible to justify failure to do So
Mr.. Grady's bill to abolish The City College
has been reported adversely by the Assembly
Committee on Cities, as it was long ago evident
that it would be. The remOnstrance OF more
than $4,000 citizens against its passage no
doubt had great weight with the Committee as
testimonial to the usefulness of the College,
as did also, probably, the conviction that an
institution, founded by a direct popular vote
| and supported by local taxation. should not he
overthrow by an act of the Legislature. This
verdict will end, for a time, at least, all at
tcmpts to destroy the College.
In letter concerning life insurance affairs
IN Connecticut, our correspondent at Hartford
gives reasons for doubling whether the cx-
pectcd legislation on that subject VIII
| tend to compel companies to make clearer
and more complete statements concern
ing their methods and management. The
| policy holder wants to know how his
money is spent, and what it is spent for.
bv the company to which he intrusts 1t. There
can be no room for doubt that the company
that is first in apprehcndng this desire on the
part of the public, and in meeting it with
frankness and simplicity, will be the first to
enjoy n revival of confidence and business.
The question of the legality of the Halifax
award has been revived and orr Washington
dispatches present strong array of technical
points which lawyers urge to show that 1t Is
not binding. 1t is to be regretted that some
understanding as to the fnality of majority
award was not reached, so far as the
representatives of the two countries could
bind their Governments, before the award
was made. Now that the decision has
been given, and is adverse to the United
States, we should be very slow to take al
vantage of any merely technical point. The
very fact Of arbitration presupposcs willing
ness on both sides to come to an agreement
without undue fOrmality or without any de-
sire to haggle over the flaws which are the
meat of lawyers in the courts. 1t would
be better to be over-honest than less than
honest.
Mayor Ely has the courage to state his
| opinions, and the good sense to put them
briefly. MIR. Kelly, when asked for his views
on reduction of salaries, gracefully avoided
4 a direct answer. He wishes to have the
work committed to his care the head and
front of the Board of AppOrtlOnment, in his
double capacity as Tammany chief aad Con-
troler, and yet he is unwilling to commit
himself to specific line of conduct Alderman
Roberts, when asked for his OPINION, had the
| impertinence to lecture the Legislature on the
excise and apportionment issues instead of
! answering the questions that were put to him.
But Mayor Ely is categorical and straiGhtfor-
ward. He does not believe in reducing the
salaries of policemen, fremen and school
teachers he does believe in making new
! appointments, as vacancies occur, at lower
salaries; he does not believe in attacking small
salaries and leaving the large ones untouched.
| We know at least what the Mayor
means, which is more than can be said of Mr..
| Kelly, who must find his dual functions, rs
| guardian of the public treasury and head of II
standing raid upon it, little confusing; or of
Mr.. Roberts, who is not likely to favor the re-
duction of any salary, so long as ne Is alive to
| hunt after Office and hold it.