New-York tribune., 1878-01-21
4 READY REFERENCE TO CURRENT HIS

The Index Of THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Tor 1871 Is
published this morning. 1t is compact volume OF
116 pages, uniform with the Almanac, and is sold at
80 cents per copy. 1t Is the third OF the series
printed in this style, and the three form an invaua-
BILE guide to the best current history of the principal
events of the years 1875, '76 and IT. They render
the bound volumes of the TRIBUNE as easy of refer
ence as an annual cycopeda. and more valuable be-
cause afiording intelligent clues to the history OF
passing events more detailed than any compila-
tion in cycopgdic form.
The present issue is the best we have ever puD-
shed we venture also to think it is the best index
of daily newspaper ever published The system
on which it is based has been gradually improved
as the needs of readers who file copies OF The lRiB-
UNE have been suggested to lis. The aim has beeh
to make the present volume not only perfect index
to THE DAILY TRIBUNE in its minute details, but
at the same time an indicator by which to ma the
principal news records of any other American news
paper. As far as all general news topics go, when
by telegraphc arrangement are published stimuli
tancously in all parts of the country as regards
Congressional proceedings, political conventions
Government documents and measures, great crimes
or disasters. and like matters of general interest,
this Index is practically as good for the papers OF
Cincinnati, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco, as
for TIE TRIBUNE itself. 1t is only necessary to
mention this peculiar feature OF the compilation to
Indicate its value to all who have occasion to con-
suit past or current records. matter what journal
they may choose to preserve.
I he classes which require such book OF refer
cncc are more numerous than woud ut first be sup
posed To lawyers it furnishes quick guide to re-
ports of every important case in the State and the
United States Courts held in this city,-the most i'm
portant courts of the country. THE TRIBUNE, it is
well known, makes feature of its court reports,
giving the chief points of interest to lawyers In all
suits motions and decisions in New-YOrk Courts;
and the present Index has reference to over five hun
dred of the most important issues tried here in 1877
1t is guide as well for politicians as lawyers There
are some two hundred entries under the heads of
"Politicar Conventions" etc, giving clues to
the dates and records of the dolngs of State and
National Conventions, the messages of Presidents
and Governors the utterances of leading men of all
countries and the comments of the chief journals
thereon Students and literary men generally
Will find under the head of Literature,
references to over five hundred reviews
by the best book critics of the country
Of the most valuable publications Of the past year.
These reviews are invaluable to those who desire
fair and impartial guidance as to current publica-
tions. The same class will find under the topical
head of Lectures" equally convenient list OF re-
ports of the leading lights of the Lyceum during the
past year. Ministers will encounter little difficulty,
il they consult the pages of this Index in turning to
the reports of the best sermons Of metropolitan pull
nit orators and to the current religious intelligence
of the time. Teachers. merchants, mariners, railway
managers and soldiers will find it equally valuable
in searching for the years history OF schools and
colleges its failures and defalcations, its disasters
at sea- its developments Of enterprises on Shore and
the changes of army and navy In our own country,
r .l..r
Many improvements will be noticed IN the new
volume Last year we found it advisable to dispense
with the confusing subdivisions and resort to more
topical heads under single alphabetical arrange
mcnt. The changes this year have been III the same
direction There has b, q large increase of the
topical heads Every effort has been made TO sim
plify without extending the volume. The theory on
which the compilation has been made is simple.
The compiler has led to put himself in the place of
the person in search of particular record, and III
making an entry to go through the meLtal process
which would be natural to the searcher, with the
slightest or most indefinite clue to what he wishes
Given the name of any book, of its author, or of
its subject, and the date of its review may be had
without further trouble under this system of topical
heads and single alphabetical arrangement In
the same way, the dates of fires, crimes, meetings.
conventions deaths of eminent persons and disasters
of every character may be found with equal facility
hy those having the faintest clue indicating the
topic or subject of the desired record.
We shall continue to publish annually an Index of
TIE DAILY TRIBUNE, and possibly one also Of The
WEEKLY in ITS new form, though this would neces
sarily have to be on a different system. The Index
of TIE DAILY has been found SO valuable in onr
own business that We shall not hereafter dispense
with it, and we sure when its advantages rs a
ready reference are made known it will find re-
muncrativc sale. Ii will also lead many persons TO
preserve the files of their papers and thus extend
somewhat the ephcmeral life of even the best work
in the daily press.
POLITICAL NOTES.