New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-31
NEwYoRK DAILY TRBUNE SUNDAY 81 nsL-TK1PIE SHEET

what they sincerely imagine to be sanctified
lives. Whatever we may think OF their doc
trines, their honesty is beyond question, and
they set an example of industry, frugality and
fraternity which might be studied with profit
be of necessity complex system of selfish an
tagonisms cOunterbaancing each other.
The substantial progress on the road to re-
cOvery which President Garfield is now MAX
ing was strikmgly shown yesterday by a
change In his position, which the physicians
found he could bear with advantage. For the
first time since he was shot he was raised in
bed, and found rest in the new, half-sitting
posture. Strong hopes are expressed that he
will be able to SIT up in few days. The pub
lie will be delighted when this good news
comes One of the Presidents most faithful
attendants, William Crump, the White ,use
steward, was obliged to abandon his labOrs
yesterday because of an attack of malaria
Mr. Crump was sergeant in the Odd
Ohio Infantry, President Hayes's regiment, and
came to the White House with his former
colonel.
Our cable dispatch gives further details of
the ill-tempered opposition displayed on tho
occasion of the third reading of tho Irish
Land bill in the House of Commons. Most
OF the Tory leaders had the bad taste to
leave the House before the vote was taken,
not having the manliness, it would seem, to
witness the defeat OF their party which they
know was inevitable. Mono of the Irish mem-
bers to their credit be it said, voted against
the bill. They had condemned it in debate for
not coming up to the mark Of their extreme
demands; but when the test of the final
division came they were obliged to acknowl-
edge by their behavior that it was, in fact a
measure for the great and lasting benefit of
the Irish people. The bill is not likely to be
long delayed i'll the Lords. It's success is one
OF the most conspicuous triumphs of Mr..
GladstOne's long career as o practical states
man.
More water, says Commissioner Thompson,
will soon be crying necessity of the Metrop-
oils. Tho Croton system was planned when
the city had only 10000 inhabitants now it
has 100000, and before o new aqueduct can
be built it viii have at least ], 5OO,O 900 thirsty
mouths to supply. The last Legislature
was urged to pass bill authorizing the
construction OF second aqueduct, but failed
to do so. Thus there must be year Of
delay before the six years. job of building
new conduit from the lakes and streams in
bIOVou TeSIOn can DO DcEun. Even now
1t is impossible to keep 3 sufficient supply in
the reservoirs in the warm season to force the
water to the upper stories Of the houses in the
higher portions of the city, yet POO, 900, 900
gallons day are running to waste over Croton
dam. People WHO turn their faucets in vain
this summer, and are disposed to use hard
words about the authorities who control the
water works, should understand that the Leqis-
lature is to blame. That assemblaep whose
like we hope never to see In Albany again,
spent SIX weeks balloting for Senators, but
could not find time to pass an aqueduct bill.
An article on the condition Of meehani cs and
other laborers in this city, which we publish on
another page, shows by careful statistics that
wages have increased from 30 to so Der cent.
since 1878. There has been some increase in
the prices Of provisions during the Same period.
bat it has not been at all in proportion to the
gain made by the workingmcn in their weekly
earnings. Indeed, it Is a long time since the
condition OF the laboring classes in the Metrop-
obs and also in the country at large was IA IA
vorable as 1t is at present. Wages are good and
work is plenty. No industrious man, whether
he have trade or not, need seek long for IN
opportunity to earn an honest livelihood. We
do not share the apprehension Of some that this
is only transient wave Of prosperity soon to
flow back and leave labor and enterprise alike
stranded. The good times have come too
steadily and slowly for any sudden backset to
occur. All indications point to an era of solid
growth for the whole country, to continue for
period of years. In time another crash will
come, no donbt, for sach seems to be the law of
business development, but we may reasonably
hope it will not come soon, and that when it
does come it will not be nearly as severe "a was