New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-04

which made cripples and invalids ceased, ana
in the natural order of things the pension
list should now be shrinking steadily. Instead,
it is growing at an alarming rate, and now
calls for the enormous sum of $5O,OOO,OOO
O year! There is reason to suspect that there
are thousands Of names upon it which have
no right there by the most liberal construction
of the pension laws.
An interesting case to the railroads and the
travelling public was that of the Pullman
Palace Car Company against the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, decided in the Circuit
Court at Baltimore yesterday in favor OF the
road. The point at issue was whether the
railroad could build and run sleeping cars
without infringing on the Pullman patents.
The decision, it should be observed, was on an
application for an injunction and not upon
the merits of the Pullman claim, which can
only be determined in a suit for damages
Its effect will tend however, TO encourage
other railroads to embark on their own
account in the profitable business OF running
sleepers
The Speakershp at Albany proved walk
over for General Sharpe, just as HE lRlB-
UNE Yesterday said it would. General Sharpe
has been a popular Speaker, and the naturai
tendency was, therefore, in favor OF MS re-
election. His friends had besides gwen the
closest attention to his canvass from the out
set. and had all the advantages OF per1ect
organization. The Senatorial candidates de-
cided to take no part in any contest against
him, and his only opponent withdrew III MS
favor. Albany is full of speculations as 10
the United States SenatOrship, but he would
be a political prophet with uncommon powers
for seeing through a milestone lwho should
he able from the result on the SpeakershIp 70
shed any new light OH the impending strug-
ole. The Legislature will doubtless adjourn
for week to give the Speaker time to make
Nh his committees. Plenty OF partisans are
advising that the Speaker hold back his COM
mittees until after the election OF Senator,
but this would be a high-handed measure to
which we do not believe that a man like
General Sharpe would resort, and one from
which he could hardly profit
The trOubles of the British in South Africa
are increased by the excitement among the
Dutch element in Cape Colony and the hostile
attitude of the people of the Orange Free
State. President Brand, the Chief Executive
able TO control his fellOw-citzens within the
bounds of neutrality and talks of resigning.
The Orange Free State, whose attractive dis
play at orr Centennial will be pleasantly re-
membered, is inhabited by Beers who migrated
from Cape Colony when the latter country
was brought under British rule, trekking with
their families and household gear across
plains and deserts until they found a region
not claimed by Great Britain. They have
multiplied and thriven, and the Trans
vaal Republic was an offshoot from
their community The attempt to punish the
Beers of the Transvaal as rebels and suppress
bv force their effort to reassert their rights as
q free people naturally arOuses intense feel
ing among their kindred throughout South
Africa. Although England is clearly and
grossly wrong in the whole TranSvaal
business, it is doubtful whether the Govern
ment will venture TO retreat now that hOstil-
itles have begun. John Bull never listens to
reason when he gets in a fight. He insists on
whipping the other fellow as Il preliminary to
arguing with him. The Transvaal people will
doubtless be made to realize the truth of the
lines Lowell wrote twenty years ago: "Ole
"Uncle So says he, l guess We know it now,
" says he, The lions paw is all the law, Ac-
"cordin' to j. B., Thet's fit for you and me-"