New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-28

would make when once it was started. Con-
trary to their usual custom, yesterday the
Aldermen did not Immediately override the
MAYORS veto, but postponed action in the mat
fer. Perhaps they wanted time for reflection
but for nothing else we hope.
A good deal of bad legislation got back-set
Yesterday at Albany. First OF all, the Press Gag
bill was defeated in the Assembly in way
that would shock respectable Senate when
had previously voted for it. Not single AS
semblymsn supported it. 1t would be interest
ing to know what the real motive was WHICH
actuated the Senators who favored the meas.
ure. The bill of that great reformer Mike
Murphy abolishing the present boaru Oh Euu,
cation was also checked in the Assembly anu
sept to committee from which it Will prooaply
meyer emerge. We hope it will not. Appoint
inc the Education Commissioners by political
lines would be the first step toward introducing
nolitics of the worst kind into the Board
Two other bad bills were tripped mp IN the
Senate. They were some of Mr.. Gradys efforts
IN LET convcts lead lives of leisure at the e1-
nense of the honest taxpayers of the State
HIS associates refused to let these pet measures
of his be considered out OF order, much 10 hi'
disgust. This is doing pretty well for Demo-
cratic Assembly. 1t is pity it is only spas
medic virtue.
For the sake of the reputation OF New I ork
City we regret that the Conkling homicide case
ia not to be submitted to jury of twelve rep
utable and sensible men. There would then
be thorough investigation of the killing IN
lively whether or not murder was committed
there. At present the point is by no means
clear The Coroner sent COnkllng, the slayer
of Haverstick, to the Tombs, and judge or the
Supreme Court, on reviewing the evidence
only saw fit to release him on bail lie dlu
not let the prisoner go free. But yesterday
Police Justice Smith, on precisely the same
evidence decided that it was case OF Justl-
fable homicide. There has been altogether
too much foolish sentiment in this NATTER
although there has not been an occurrence III
the city for long time which needed Gamer
Investigation. The community now stands
committed to Nevada methods of avenglng per-
soual injuries in way that does 1t no credit.
The opinion of twelve men, not OF one, should
have settled this serious matter. Is it too late
for. the Grand Jury to look into it
The lot of the labonng classes in Sheffield,
England, where knives for the world are
made, is far from being happy one, as VIII
be seen upon reading Mr.. Robert +. Porters
last letter, which appears elsewhere III TINS
issue of THE TRIBUNE. Indeed, 1t seems al
most hopeless. Other w0rkingmen wnOm our
correspondent has found in England were
suffering as much as these but it was through
no fault of their own. BY toillng late ana
early they could earn only enough to keep
life in their wretched bodies. But the Sheffield
men will not work as much as they can. IheY
have no desire apparently to have more than
enough to keep them in beer, bread and bacon
beer first. Neither will they let others work.
Strange artisans entering Sheffield to make
living would soon regret it. The bitter trades
union spirit of fifteen years ago SUI exists
there, and the leaders probably would not
hesitate now more than formerly to apply ola
time and bloody arguments to persuade IN
truders to retire And so the Sheffield manu-
facturers are obliged to send some OF their
work abroad to have 1t done. The most skill
full grinders, if they are diligent. can make
S15 week the scale then runs uoWn to To'
Two more propositions are now before the
nnblic in regard to the new aqueduct. Mr..
Bovd introduced a'bill in the Senate yesterday
authorizing the Mayor to appoint commission
of seven citizens, one from each Senate DIS
trict. to supervise the work. Their expendi-
lures would be subject to the approval OF the
Board of Estimate and Apporuonment.
This ia the measure favored by the
Taxpayers' Association. 1t is bad, prin-
cipally because politics are the very es-
sepce of it. Why should the appointing
| mower be fettered by political linesf The check
on the Mayor should be in an entirely differ
ent direction. Moreover, seven is large
number, even if it is considered lucky. The
bill which the Council of Reform has drafted
has decided merits and is the best thus Tar
suggested BY 1t the Mayor is authorized to
name three citizens, who with the Mayor and
the Controller would constitute the commas
sion. The nominations are to be subject to
the approval Of the Governor Herein a check
is laid on the appointing power. Politicians
are not necessarily kept out; still, in the
interval between nomination and appointment
the characters OF the appOintees could be care
fully scrutinzed. The Governor would hardly
approve any one of them in the face Of public
disfavOr.
1
COVERNOR BUTLER'S CAPERS.