New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-28

valued guest, nor can she appear consistently
az the defender of a Power she abandoned
when aid might have been Of some advan-
tage. Her best course would be to accept the
situation, and strive to make the best of IT.
The District-Attorney has released the prize
in the shape of perjurer which Judge Van
Brunt was rather too hasty in capturing. 1t was
evident at the time that the contradiction be-
tween the testimony and the affidavit Of Lopez
was his lawyers work rather than his own, for
he made no effort to conceal the fact which
he had previously, under his lawyers direc-
| ton, denied by denying generally the truth OF
q whole affidavit 1t was the lawyer who
should have been committed. if anybody, and
Judge Van Brunt's action will not be lost, if
it induces lawyers to be more careful about
the things to which their clients swear.
The Senate has raised an issue with tie
House of Representatives upon its reckless and
discriminating reduction of diplomatic and
consular salaries. The salaries of the four
missions, which are of the first class in point
of compensation, have been restored to their
original figures as have also those of
the seven second-class missions. None of these
are large enough to be safely diminished at
all, and the Senate will do genuine public
service by adhering to most of its amendments
to the House bill. The retrenchment of the
hundred thousand dollars, which is the
whole difference between the two Houses,
might mean great difference in the efficiency
Of the Diplomatic and Consular service, and
a serious detriment to our foreign trade.
~ 80 ~,
or counsel each other through the irresponsible
medium of the semi-official organs. At Berlin,
Russia is advised to restrain her ambition, and
not plunge Europe into the chaos which would
follow the abandonment of the Congress. In VI
emma, the press is gratified at the importance
which Austria has acquired, and expects that
she will turn the opportunity to the best
account. Assurances come from England that
Russia has not said the last word, Count
Schouvaloff having dIscreetly retained an
offensive dispatch until he could say substan-
tally that it did not mean what 1t said.
The only satisfactory element in the general
confusion, is the precise understanding which
England and Russia have acquired i'll regard
to their relative pretensions. Had these been
known at the outset. Europe might have been
spared the SUSPENSE and alarm which it is now
experiencing
In consequence of the closing of the Six
penny Savings Bank, the annual reports OF
other similar concerns which we present this
morning, will be scanned with more than
usual interest. They display no alarming
features, although the business has been less
profitable than in previous years. The condi-
ton of the Sxpenny Bank had been for some
time a little doubtful, as its surplus was small
and its affairs not prosperous. The order
from Albany, closing its doors, seems,
however, to have surprised its officers.
The alleged deficiency is about five
per cent, but when the concern goes into the
| hands of receiver the usual fritteriDg away
of assets may be expected, and the depOsitOrs
will be fortunate if they get three -fourths OF
| their money. This event will be great hard
ship to many people, for the bank held very
great number of small accounts. 1t is feared
that there has been decided carelessness in
the management, and the depreciation Of the
investments has kept pace with a gradual loss
of public confidence. Perhaps the worst fea-
ture of this case is, that 1t may dispel the hope
that the weaker savings banks OF this State
were nearing the end of a season of trial.
No surprise will be evoked by the announce
ment that the will of Samuel Wood, founding
Musical College, is to be contested. What
Mr.. Clinton said the other day in the Wander
bilt trial is rapidly becoming true the fact
that man knew how to make a great for
tune is held to be proof that he did not know
how to bequeath il, and soon only those
will be allowed to make wills who have
l Rut hn
astonishing if the growth Of the withdrawing
business does not soon lead rich and benevolent
people to be their own executors. Those who
contemplate devoting the bulk of their fortunes
TO the founding Of colleges hospitals, asyums,
retreats, could thus be sure that no part of
the money destined to charitable objects
would 90 into the pockets Of lawyers,
and would see their ideas carried into execu-
ton under their own direction, Perhaps, with
those who are as anxious as Mr.. Wood seems
IN have been to associate their names with
their gifts, the prospect of witnessing that
| contamination in the flesh would be an addi-
tional consideration. But the ante-mortem
method of beneyolence would seem to be far
more pleasant as well as far more sure than
the other. Few of us are above the merely
selfish pleasure of doing good. Who would
grudge Peter Cooper or George Peabody,
for example, the satisfaction of seeing with
their own eyes the good work of their hands
And who will deny that their way is better for
all concerned than the way of those who leave
their regulations behind them with their
fortunes, both at the mercy of those who will
try to prove the will-makers insane because
they did not love all their country cousins
with the same degree of affection, or were
sometimes known to speak savagely to
/ ,,IuYnharc