The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-03
SPIRIT UF THE PRESS.


The English Papers of This Morning
The Commercial, in speaking of the New
York State Convention that is to be holden
at Saratoga Springs to-day, says.that it will
be remarkable Convention in its person
mel, and its action will be watched with
lively interest throughout the country, as
New York, no less than Ohio, is a pivotal
State, and the elections in both will have
an important bearing not only on the legis-
lation in Congress, but on the choice OF
Presidential candidate for 1880. 1t thinks
Mr.. A. b. Cornell, who isbacked by Conk.
ling and the Administrator intlu-
ence, is unquestionably the can
didate against the iield.-1t does not
regard the election to be held to-day
in California as possessing any political
significance, the fight being mainly be-
tween the radical and conservative ele-
ments of society. - The Commercial dis
cusses a speech of General Durbin Ward,
made at Dayton, O.. and takes occasion to
contradict the Generals assertion that
there is any party in the country that
seeks to rob the States of their local SOW
ereignty. 1t adds that the election of Rep
resentatives in Congress is not purely
local concern. The Constitution vests
in Congress the right to regu-
late their own elections and that
body has right to provide for fair and
free one, and this is all the Supervisors
law proposes and then only by direct ac-
ton of the people interested. We must have
free election. If the States will see to it,
well and good, but if not then the General
Government must.-Speaking of the report
in the New York Herald that there is a
plan on the part of prominent Congress
men to create the office of Captain General
of the army and offer it to General Grant,
the Commercial thinks this would suit him
better than third term of the Presidency,
as it is known he accepted that office at
first with reluctance, since it withdrew him
from an office for which he was fitted by
both taste and experience.
The Enquirer discusses at length the
gas question, and declares the proposition
made by the Council Committee on Light
to be a singular one. 1t thinks a more
direct course could and should be adopted.
The Gas Company has a contract for sup
plying the city at 81 25 per LOCO feet, which
contract will soon expire 1t is proposed
by this Committee that the Company shall
be allowed 10 per cent. on their entire
investment over and above the cost of
production, which 1t declares too high.
Six per cent. for railroad or s for an in
surance company it thinks betokens pros
perity and is eagerly sought for by capital
lists During the existing contract 12'per
cent. dividends have been declared, and
that gas can be furnished at reasonable
profit to the Company for 81 rs or 81 IS per
one thousand feet, and inquiries why the
el, ,nt ha lal in h,1ci
way by arbitration.
The Gazette characterizes as feeble
minded those lawyers who claim that the
election OF members of Congress is a local
matter under the control of the States. 1t
urges that the makers of the u s. Constitu-
ton did not so regard it is shown by the
provision made that leach House shall be
the Judge of the election returns and quail
ifcations of its own members"
This, it argues, empowers to
90 behind the returns made
by the State authorities, and Judge
the actual vote upon other testimony.
! Here it declares are complete revisory
powers exercised by the House over the
elections of Representatives Of the States
One would suppose, adds the Gazette, that
the feeble mndedness displayed by these
Democratic lawyers Thurman, Hoadly,
Durbin Ward and the rest on politco legal
questions, would prevent their getting
practice as attorneys.
The Gazette understhe head of ga Sen
sation in Kentucky" refers to the inaugur-
alton of DR.. Luke P. Blackburn as Govern
or and inquiries whether this is the same
DR.. Luke p. Blackburn who was tried in
May, 1865, at Toronto, Canada, on the
charge of conspiring to convey yellow
fever infections into the chief cities of the
North by means of clothing that had been
infected by contact with fevervictms under
his supervision at Bermuda. The Gazette
says that it does not charge that the Gov
ernor elect of Kentucky is the same person
so tried in Canada, but adds that it has
been struck by the fact that this Canada
man was also named DR.. Luke P. Black
burn, and feels constrained to ask the pres
ent Governor of Kentucky for an explicit
denial Of the possible identity.
The German Papers
fThe Volksfreund.l
Gov. Blackburn, of Kentucky, assumed
his official position yesterday. The inau'
gural ceremonies were very imposing.
Schurz should speak himself if he, as has
been said by another member of the Cabi-
llel ulu HOI Sdy budI De was " DIltIllldii
man; that he could not swallow Blaine, and
that he would rather vote for Democrat
than Republican. What does Mr.. Schurz
say?
TThe Volksbatt.1
The Gas Company, with its wonderful
bashfulness, would be willing to allow a
reduction of 25 cents on its present infa
tion prices, provided the city would allow
itself to have its hands bound for ten more
years. This intimation is so infamous that
one does not know whether he should
laugh or be astonished at it. And still it is
said that the Company has quietly man
aged to secure the votes of majority OF
our Councimen. and is therefore in a posi-.
ton to execute its plans.
1.-THE Free Presse1
While Col. Len A. Harris is member oil
the Democratic Campaign Committee il
would be imprudent in our opinion to elect
him as a member of the Police Commission.
Yesterdays Abend Post1
We think that our School Board could be
little more prompt in the execution Of