New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-30

her story of an attack upon her by supposed
agents of the Land League. The Home oecre-
tsry says that the police inquiry has proved ia-
tile. This will add to the scepticism with which
the story of the assault was first received. But
what is Lady Florence Dixie's loss is the gain
of the entire Irish people, and in that hght
there is no cause for regret.
II Turkish officials were found to be refus-
ing brides in connection with the COLLECTION OIL
taxes it might be regarded as something I'M
usual. But the cable report that several OF
them have been charged with accepting Drlpes
can be considered only as a natural incident
of the Turkish system of government. hence
we can see no cause for the "much uneasi-
nassr y that is renorted to exist in the Turkish
capital.
II will be a great relief to the people OF this
country when an equitable and final dsposi-
ton is made of the $lO,O00,000 of the Geneva
Award remaining in possession of the Gov
eminent. A suit was begun in WASHINGTON
Yesterday to determine the status OF the claims
of the marine insurance companies, amounting
in all to nearly $5,000,00O. 1t VIII be
watched with a good deal OF interest IN TINS
CITY. as two-thirds of the amount OF the
claims belong to New-YOrk companies.
IF the decision of the Illinois Supreme
Court, in favor of the manipulatOrs OF wheat
corners,n offers any impetus to that KIND OF
speculation, it is to be regretted. 1he court
decides, that so long as the operators Keep
within the rules of the Board OF Trade, IL can
not interfere. The case grew out OF an at
tempt to enforce contracts arising out OF INC
.July wheat "corner." The defence, that the
contracts were in the nature of gambling ana
against the public welfare, was not entertained
by the Court, which compels their fulfilment
under the decision of the Board of Trade com
mittee.
The proposed amendments to the City
Charter agreed upon by the Democratic
leaders, as foreshadowed in THE TRIBUNE on
Monday, are in fair way to be rushed through
the Legislature. So far as any interest OF goou
government is concerned they are ridiculous
sham. The Police Department, which is the
most in need of reform, is undisturbed, along
with the Tax and Charity Departments All
the others are made single-headed. III
would puzzle anybody but Tammany lawyer
to tell upon what principle the Charity De-
partment, for instance, is made n0n-partlsan'
as Mike Murphy says, while the one III
charge of the public health, which has the
power OF passing sanitary ordinances, is to he
given over to the sole control OF Demo-
cratic ward leader The unblushing grab Tor
spoils in legislating Commissioner Coleman
ont of Office, while permitting an impeached
official like Commissioner Thompson to remain,
is a fair specimen of the purpose of the bill.
As all of the officials who may be turned out
will have to be paid their salaries for the full
terms for which they were appointed there can
be no alleged purpose of economy IN the meas
ure. And as if to make the travesty OF re-
form the more marked, the terms OF the Alder
men are to be heightened two years, ana they
are to retain their misused power of confirming
the Mayors nominations.
Mavor EdsOn's latest proposition In regard 10
the formation of the Aqueduct Commission Is
an Improvement upon that contained III me Dill
introduced 10y Senator DAILY. lie recommended
TO the Senate Committee on Cities yesterday
that the Commission he composed OF Tour cltl-
zen taxpayers, tn be appointed 10y himself, ana
that the Mayor, Controller and Commissioner
of Public Works be ex-olicio members. In
making this recommendation he has the unanl-
NOUS support of the members of the commits
sion that recently investigated the need OF
new aQneduct We cannot see the objection,
however. to naming the four citizens IN the
bill. as proposed by Senator Mccarthy. Then
the community would have a guarantee OF the
Mayors good faith in the matter An evidence
of the iugelery tuat may he expected IN tins
aoueduct legislation was pointed out by the
Mayor yesterday The original bill. it appears,
WAS changed after it left bis hands so as To give
the Commissioner of Public Works greater
mower than any other memner of the proposed
Commission, though such was not.the intention
of the Mayor and his advisers. With Senators
Grady, DAILY. Fitzgerald and Treanor iii the
Senate to represent him, the interests of Com
missioner Thompson are sure to be guarded
carefully, irrespective of the public welfare.
Mr.. Roosevelts bill for a commission to be
composed Of the Mayor Controller and three
citizens to be named by the Mayor and approved
by the Governor would be an acceptable
measure.
FRUIT or DEMOCRATIC TEACHING.
ho tfca ut all in the