New-York tribune., 1883-06-05

The positive part which Governor Cleveland
took in legislation last winter and spring was
Disappointing; but that has in part peeh
atoned for by his negative action. Among
the eighty seven bills which happily failed 10
become law for lack of executive approval were
a number of exceedingly bad measures AFFECT
ing this city. They died without comment
from him. Perhaps that was all that was
TO be expected; but it would have been more
satisfactory had Mr. Cleveland made nse Oh
some of his vigorous language In vetohe
them. That is particularly true OF the pllls
to increase the pay of hremen anu
nolicemen. to give Civil District Justices the
mower TO appoint janitors, and the ll-con-
sidered measure in regard to police PEN
s;ons. The crying need for mu-
nicipal reform was met In 'no
Legislature by the passage OF Dill 10 ex'ehu
the Aldermen's terms of office TO two years.
the Democratic leaders highest conception OIL
reform. But the Governor has allowed tha'
bill also to die for want of his approval
Two steps which the trustees OF Columoia
College took yesterday will materially advance
the liberal schemes which they have recenty
favored. A curriculum for young women VINO
wish to obtain certificates from Columbia was
adopted; also schedule of studies IN whlch
such aspirants will be examined preparatory
to beginning the collegiate course. The plan can
be followed at any place-except at Columbia.
II will be noted that this line OF studies Is
about the same as that now pursued by the
Young men so that the certificates when the
female students receive will mean as much as
the degrees conferred on candidates OF the
other sex. Indeed since the girls are not TO
have the same facilities for study that the
bows have, their degrees will really mean more
The other important action of the trustees
was in relation to the college library.
liberal appropriation was made toward getting
it into useful shape, and other radical sugges-
tons made by the librarian were approved.
close construction of the language OF the re-
port which was adopted would allow the lie
brary to be opened on Sunday; but possibly
that was not intended.
The Frenchmen frightened by the persist
ent agitation in England i'll favor of new
canal across the lsthmus of Suez, are doing
their best to head the project of. NJ. dc Les
seps announces that the present water way
will be enlarged and that new one Will
be built by the present company. A second
canal would certainly go far toward relieving
the blocks in freight at the isthmus which now
are the cause of so much complaint A new
massage could be used for the "down" " trips
and the old one for the cup" trips, and in this
way the present delayin crossing would be re-
duced. If NJ. de Lesseps's plan should be sue
cessful, the British scheme of another canal
would probably be postponed for long time
but it is by no means certain that it would not
be carried out some day. Even with two canals
the situation would still be strained, for
French company would command the water
ways, and yet four-fifths OF the traihc woulo
be English. So a collision of authorities al
some time would be likely. However long the
conclusion may be postponed, therefore, the
end of the whole affair sooner or later Will
probably he that the British will get control
of both canals.