New-York tribune., 1878-05-24

their beaT-skin inside the bear.
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1t must grieve the friends of mothery government
to observe how certainly unforeseen obstacles start
up to embarrass their efforts to endow the
Federal authority with the functions of a
general almOner for the diffusion Of charity
and "doing good to the deserving. Here
for example is the benefcent scheme for
setting I'D in business a National printing house
for the Blind with $250,00O capital taken from the
National Treasury to start with. 1t seemed to
follow very naturally the Congressional grants Of
one kind or another for the purpose of
educating the peoples" and yet 1t shows
symptoms of having run aground before
it was fairly launched. 1t does not appear that
the Deaf and Dumb, the Ruptured and Crippled or
the Half Orphans filed any protest against the grant
as an inXidious distinction in favor of class Of
our unfortunate fellow-ctizens. But neither WASH
lngtOn, San Francisco Boston, Mass.
can discern any sufficient reason why Louis
vile should be selected the local re-
cipent of the Federal bounty. Indeed, PHI
lanthrOpists from each of these cities have already
stepped forward to announce their willingness to
accept the trust, and the philanthrOpss OF several
other cities have not yet been heard FROM NOW, 1t
is more than probable that the animating motives
of all these volunteers are undIluted with
any mixture of self-interest. But it so frequently
happens IN similar that the oudest advocates
of some Government charity manifest very appar-
ent eagerness to finger the funds, that rvalres OF
this sort are apt to chill the benevolent
ardors of even paternally inclined Congressman.
Meanwhile it is comforting to reflect, that
charity, organized by private enterprise, vital
lied by active personal interest and sustained by
local aid through legitimate channels. is not losing
r. a. I'D and will do cO III
Government should determine to restrict ITS atten.
tion to it's own business.
The United States Supreme Court has glyena
decision affecting the right of lottery dealers to send
their circulars through the mails In this case
convicted person sought release on habeas corpus
on the gTound that the act under which he was
imprisoned is unconstitutional. The cOurt held en-.
trely to the contrary; the Act OF Congress merely
provides that the mails shall not be used to trans
port certain publications considered by Congress to
he demOralizing and for the punishment OF those
who violate this law But the court seems also, to
have passed somewhat indirectly upon the authority
of the officers of the Postal Service to break open
suspected packages. These, it was limited, could
only be opened while in the Office, under a warrant
issued on oath describing the thing to be seized.
But there was no question before the court Of the
competency of the evidence upon which the con.
viction was had; so that there no distinct de-
cision upon the point. But lottery dealers need not
take much heart from the doubt. There has never
been any opening, except when there were reason
able grounds for suspicion; and information UPON
oath, whenever suspicious have been aroused, can
be easily obtained. All that will be needed will be
reasonable cause of belief.
The drift of public sentiment seems to be deyel
oping into rather violent current, and setting alto
gether in one direction. Every disgusted or luke
warm Republican every Independent voter, every
man of every class from which possible Democratic
recruit could be enlisted-all unite in denouncing
the criminal stupidity of this fresh Democratic as
sault upon the public peace
1t isl good time now TO keep reminding Domo-
Gratis that the Electoral Tribunal was scheme Of
their own hatching that it was passed against Re-
publican opposition ami that, believing they had
the court set up for decision in their favor they
took pains to place themselves on record as
soemnly pronouncng the result to be final and
binding.
This delay about bringing Secretary Sherman and
Mr.. Potter's committee together so that they can
begin to investigate each other is rather annoying
but it isn't Mr. Sherman's fault. Mr. Potter has
good deal of trouble in getting his committeeto TO
huddle up, while Mr.. Sherman seems to be
highly organized quorum all the time.