New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-24

1t is net very long since a Democratic State Con-
ventiOn in Ohio was sure to attract the attention
of the whole country; but the meeting at Cleveland
ON Thursday passed OFF without making the smallest
ripple on the placid surface of the public mind The
truth is the Democrats have no prospect OF carry
ing Ohio this year. and the dOings OF Convention
which puts up ticket foredoomed to defeat are
not interesting. The small Importance of the
gathering was nowhere better appreciated than
in Ohio All the prominent Democratic leaders,
like Thurman, Ewing, Morgan, and Durbin Ward.
stayed away, and left the small politicians TO get
what glory they could out of the affair. Only one
thing in the proceedings was sgnifcant-the per-
feet docility with which the Convention Endorsed
the Cincinnati national platform, and thus aban-
doned all the distinctive financial ideas for which
the Ohio Democracy has been contending ever
since Pendletoh invented Greenbacksm in 1867.
The "rag-babW" is done for at last. 1t died year
ago, when Eying was beaten but its funeral took
place at Clev} land last Thursday.
The drowning of fifteen persons in the Detroit
River many Of whom, perhaps, might have been
saved if they had been able to swim, emphasizes
the lesson upon which THE TRIBUNE has dwelt
already. Every able-bodied person should know
how to swim. None are too old, and few are too
Young to learn, for the earlier the effort is made
the better Most of those who have come TO the
conclusion which is often heard that they 4" can
never learn to swim" have probably been trying to
swim in the wrong way or have never really tried
at all Every large city has number of
swimming-schoos in which tho art is taught by
simple steps and on scientific principles 1t is en-
tirely within bounds to say that Of those who
consider themselves hopeessly incapable of
swimming not one i'll ten can emerge from dozen
lessons in one of these schools without being a
good beginner, at least. Persons who have no
other way of learning could try this. Once ac-
ouired the art is as easy breathing and can never
be lost and may mean the difference between death
and life when the emergency is least expected.
WHY ia It claimed that General Garfield, If
elected will have to govern with Congress Dem
ocratic In both branches A House will be
chosen this year. and will begin It's official life on
the day the new President is inaugura.ed. 1t is
by no means improbable that the Republicans will
elect n majority of the members. The present adj
verse majority Is not too large to be wiped ont by
q sweeping Republican victory in tho Northern
States even if we concede that the work of sod-
tyng the South for the Democracy will be perfected
this wear and the few districts which al
lowed to return Republican members in 1873 will
be captured by the rifc-clubs. The Senate will
be Democratic by narrow majority during the
first Two years of the next Administration, but
its complexion may be changed by the new men,
bsrs who will come in in 1883. Thus it will be
seen that there is a reasonable probability. laying
all partisan enthusiasm aside, that General Gar
| field will have q Republican House to cooperate
with from the outset of his Administration, and o
! Republican majority In both branches during the
| last half OF his term.