New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-16


in his power to enforce neutrality. This Is
not strong guarantee. An important point ID
the declaration that no Notifications are 10 oe
erected on the canal. This would prevent Eng
lish garrisons from being stationed at Port
Said and Suez.
Congressman seem to be incapable OF dra"-
ing the line anywhere IN regard to the granting
of pensions. Despite the protests or seVerai
reasonable Representatives, they voted ny
large majority yesterday to make speciai
order for February the bill to place on tno
pension rolls the names of the surviving vet
Grams of the Mexican war and OF various III
dian wars. who we're in service thirty days.
and also the names of the widows of those who
have died This has a generous air; ou' IL rs
difficult to see why money shonid De Voteu
away in this reckless fashion. Moreover IL Is
no argument in favor of this measure that IL
would make pensioners OF many men VINO
fought against the Government in the late CiVl
War-although by their speeches the Southern
members seem to think 1t Is.
Perbaps now the Harlem Railroad will put
special Waterman on top of the FOurth-ave.
tunnel or get the Police Board to do so. Since
q lady had her diamond earrings torn from
her ears in broad daylight in Fifth-ave., there
has not been so bold robbery committed in
the fashionable part of the city as that which
occurred in the winding stairway leading
down to the FOurth-ave. tunnel at Thirty
eighth-st Miss sherwood, who was going to
take a car. was assaulted there at noon, ana
her handbag containing money and some
iewelr, was snatched from her. Despite the
cutlery from her and her companion and their
energetic chase, the thief got away. Ills es-
cane was certain. The neighborhood Is so
| respectabe that it ia not considered necessary
| TO keen any policemen there. This ought not
| 70 he the case: but so long as the favorite
| members of the force are detailed for pleasant
special duty, such quiet places as fark
| will he left to take care OF themselves. The
incident will not add to the atractiveness OF
the Fourth-ave. tunnel. 1t is not seductive
SPOT. 1t is cold and damp, and abounds IN pau
smells; but it has never been supposed that
its angles and approaches were the hiuihg-
| places of thieves.
If the affairs of New York were managed as
they ought to be, in purely busness-like way
we could trust the Department OF Puoiic
Works to decide what measures wOnld ne pest
TO supply the city with more water. But I'M
fortunately the head of the Department Is
politician whose highest idea OF duty Is the
distribution of patronage in behalf OF his
party. Naturally, therefore, any measures
| which he fayors are regarded with suspicion.
Under these circumstances the appointment OF
:, commission Of citizens to scrutinize the varl-
GUS plans proposed commends itself to the
1 a., f.t
public. Mayor Edison has selected hve men ior
| this duty-Messr. Orlando b. Potter, Amos r.
Emo. William Dowd, John j. Agnew and Hugh
| N. Camp-who are well known in the COM
munity, and whose decisions will be received
with composne even If they mean the
expenditure of fourteen millions OF dollars
Alter some proper plan is adopted the next
thing will be to place around the expenditure
of this great sum of money sufficient safe
guards to assure the taxpayers that the millions
shall be economically and honestly paid out
That means, of course, that neither Commits
sioner Thompson nor any other political lice
holder shall have charge OF the job.