New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-05

The British Parliament has never been accus-
TONED To preserve an official record of its debates.
Hansard." which makes its appearance some
months after tho close Of each session OF
Parliament, was formerly only corrected edition
of the newspaper reports, principally OF those
printed in The 1imos. Lately Mr.. Hansard
has received $4,000 year, and supple
ments the newspaper reports with an alb
stract Of proceedings which the editors consider
of little public interest and therefore omit.
The application of some of the proyin-
cial journals for seats for their representatives
IN the galleries Ito which the reporters for the
London papers only are admitted caused the APP
pointmeut recently, by the House Of Commons, of a
committee to inquire into the whole sub
jcct of reporting Parliamentary debates.
Among other questions discussed by this
committee was tho policy of making YER
batim reports, like those OF the American
Congress and tho French Assembly. but we
are told no Que was found to advocate
such an innovation. Mr. Hansard said
that the example Of The Congressional Record one
winch Parliament would find it desirable IN no
way to initiate. The difference between the
British and American systems is simple. Under
the British SYSTEM that which Of general interest
il published. Under the American system every
thing IA published not as uttered, but ~ the mem
bers wish it had been uttered, wish to have
recorded as If is had been. The one is an
honest statement Of the more important
things said. The other is q dishonest state
ment of everything, important or unimpOrtant.
The one proceeds upon the gener. idea
that the newspapers, whose business IT is
10 disseminate news of public transactions.
will be able to make judicious selec-
ton Of the news. The other proceeds upon the
idea OF forcing into print what no newspaper would
print and no newspaper constituency would read
II Is reported that great complaints are made Of
the strict enforcement of the law relative to duties
ON passengers luggage, and the delay and confusion
which attend the examination; when the new
Barge Office is built at the Battery the Custom
House authorities believe that the annoyance will
be much reduced. This, however, il an unreason-
able expectation. Whatever may bo the advantage
of landing all passengers and baggage ut a single
wharf it can hardly be supposed that the business
of getting ashore will thereby be expedited. Steam
ships will have to anchor in the stream, and transfer
the travellers and their trunks by lighters. and as
single vessel often brings 200 cabin passengers
with about a thousand trunks, this will BIO a
task of no slight magnitude At this season
of the year the arrivals average about three
passenger steamers day. and it is not at all
unusual especially after fog, for five OF six ship
loads of returning tourists to enter the harbOr
almost together. The passenger lists OF three
steamers printed yesterday contained nearly five
hundred names, not including those who came in
the steerage. Think Of the uproar and hustle there
will be when the impatient mnltitudes, with their
tons of luggage. are collected under one roof, all
camorng at once for the attention of the inspectors
The trouble to travellers arises not from the method
of administering the law, but from the law itself,
and If the public is TO be relieved the statute must
be amended.
The suldenness Of the sinking Of the steamboat
Princess Alice, on the Thames, must have seemed
| unaccountable to those who not aware of the
great difference of construction between American
and English river steamers. The collision yester
| day on the Hudson, between the PaYOnia and the
James w. Baldwin is q striking illustration of it,
In this country steam vessels intended for inland
navigation are built with wide. over-hanginl
guards, which not only give capacious deck room
with sharp and narrow hull, but also serve a valu
able purpose in protecting the hull against injury
In England, however the advantages Of this styl,