New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-11

when all the nominations had been confirmed
&c move if there is anything left that 1t
"be given to the Republicans"
Should the British Government continue to
act in the spirit of Earl Granville's dispatch
there is fair prospect that not only VIII the
Fortune Bay CLAIM be settled amicably' pu'
that comprehensive rules viii be adop'ed 10
prevent the recurrence of outrages. Feopie I'D
Canada and Newfoundland may not like the
assertion of sovereign authority IN the BRITISH
Minister'S dispatch, but this was case III
which it was essential for him to maintain.
clearly and forcibly. that treaty is superior
to colonial laws enforced according TO their
own notion by Newfoundland fishermen.
The situation in which Senator Bayard finds
himself to-day should be warning to politi-
clans against the careless-and crmInal-repe-
tition of campaign ISLANDERS. The story of the
completely of Senator C0nkling, General
Arthur, Judge Davis and Mr.. Boutwell, in the
terrorism under winch the so-called Phelps,
Dodge 81 Co. settlement was made is an old
lie, exploded years and years ago, and well
understood to be such 10y the public gen.
orally. 1t will surprise many to find That IL
is sill on its travels. Senator Bayard made
camraign speech. in which it came handy,
and he used it, probably without stopping to
think whether it was false or true story.
That is the essence of all such offences against
reputation and honor-;hat men attack them
without stopping to think. Senator Bayard's
best way out is prompt confession OF his
error.
II seldom happens that a man will frankly
confess his social inleriority. Mr.. Louis
Aumann is one of these rare persons. lie has
been in the playful habit of beating his wife
with an iron bar and throwing her around
among the furniture, and now and then OF
admonishing her with brO0mstick. When
he was brought into court by a suit for
divorce, he first alleged that his wife
was insane, which, if true, would have
clearly justified the use of iron bars and
broomStickS as projecties and stoves as pieces
de resistance He also suggested that his OBJ
LEGATIONS were not those of person In bet
"ter society,"" The Court took different
view, and granted the divorce. This Will be
ant to discourage tie future Use OF this IN
eenous plea, which has the additional disad-
vantage OF being somewhat out of gear Win
the cts. The theory that tenderness to
wives and moral superiority to the use OF the
weapons of which this defendant was so fond,
increase in strict ratio with the rise Ill social
station, is not always supported bv the records
OF divorce courts, and would be received with
gentle sceplcism by the police.
The practical political effect of the changes
made in city Offices, yesterday Will be impor-
tant. The overtum wi lput the Finance Depart
ment winch mas been for several years in tn
hands of the Tammany Democrats, into the
control of the Tammany fiction. 1t
will confirm the latter in Their lease
of the great Department of Public
Works, the new Commissioner being
the former Deputy, and one OF the best
organizers among the antI-Tammany Dem0c-
racy, and it keeps the Corporation COunsePs
bureau in the hands Of Mr. Whitney,
who has always been a good officer.
John D. Lawson, Republican of excellent
standing, succeeds Mr.. Wheeler rs president of
the Tax Dcuar ment, and so goes into the
Board of Estimate and appointment as
the representative the Republican party Is en-
titled 10 there and should never have ceased
ia have Mr.. Wales, who has already made
good record in the Park Com
mission. goes back there, and William
I.ambaer becomes a Dock Commissioner.
Hugh Gar!ners appointment as Police
Jus ice is good one. The other
Offices are about evenly divided. The
effect must be to strengthen the Anti
Tammany Democrats and these ReDub-
Hcans who recognize Senator COnk-
ling as their SPECIAL leader. Some
Of the appointments were asSaicd yesterday,
but taken altogether the list is a very crcdita-
ble one, especially the Republican portion.
We doubt if any list Of similar length and
importance in recent years has contained so