New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-25

tends to send its agents into the flooded dis-
tricts of the South. They will undoubtedly
find much work to do, and there should be
hearty response to the society's appeal for SUD
scriptions, which will be found in another
column. The Government has done much 10
afford relief in this emergency, ana the heu
Cross. supported by contributions from tie
people, will be most useful adjunct.
The threat of Mr.. Robinson, OF New orK,
TO march upon London and lay it IN ashes mas
had its effect. Statements made III the Houso
of Commons and the House of Representatives
Yesterday show that the British anu Ohi'eo
States Governments are endeavorlng 10 seo'io
the status of the Americans imprisoned III ire
land under the Coercion Act-a question tnat
has tormented the soul of Mr.. Robinson for
many a long and weary month. We slispect,
however. that the settlement of this point
which. in truth, is much to be desired, would
carry with it a touch of sorrow for Mr.. Robin
son. who would thus be deprived of hurting his
double jointed invcctives at the British Lion,
but it would afford little rest for that much
abused bird, the Great American Eagle.
Both houses of the Legislature have again
adjourned over until Monday evening We
suppose it is useless to protest against THIS
weekly recess, but if it could be given up the
length of the session might easily be shortened
at least one-third. Under the present order of
things the only days upon which it is prac-
ticable for the committees to meet are Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday, the recess cut
ting of Friday, Saturday and Monday. VI
late years all attempts-and many have Deen
made-tO keep either house i'll session on Sat
urday have proved impOtent. But there was
a time when sessions were uniformly heid Oh
Saturday, and, so far as we know, not mem
Der that attended them felt that he was beng
overworked. II does not meet the objection
to the long weekly recess to say that the leg
islators receive a fixed compensation, which is
neither increased nor diminished, whether they
st 100 or 200 days. The people of the State
like to see their representatives get through with
their business and get away from Albany with
as little delay as is consistent with good ana
faithful service.
If the decision which was approved yester-
day in the United States Circuit Court Ill
Missouri prevails as law throughout the land
the express companies will have a grip on the
railroad corporations that will not easily be
released 1t is ordered that all passenger
trains shall carry the express matter of any
company that offers it, which is perhaps only
an application of the doctrine of common car
riers. This is matter OF the greatest impor-
lance for the express companies, for If they
could have been prevented from sending their
goods by any road they chose their very ex-
istence was conditional. A delicate point now
will be, probably, the basis OF rates upon
which the railroads should be paid, and this
! last order in Missouri apparently allows the
express companies to manage matters with a
rather high hand. Unless they conduct their
business on principles of the stTictest equity,
it will be difficult for them to hold their
present position in this regard. The impOr-
lance of the decision may be better appreciated
when it is stated that in 1879 four express
companies handled property worth over
So. coo, OOO, 600, aud they paid the railroads
more than these corporations receive for carry
ing the United States mails.