New-York tribune., 1883-12-13

fore, If they have tried to protect themselves
sometimes by "ways that are dark and tricks
that are vain" But the habit of branding a
nation of four hundred millions with "incapacity
to distinguish between truth and falschoOd" is
certainly not warranted by the facts, and it is a
| loose and reckless way of talking which ought
to be abandoned
The text of the English shipowners' agreement
with NJ. do Lesseps shows that while they have been
accorded seven additional seats in the Board of D-
rectors Of the Suez Canal the membership has been
enlarged from twenty-four to thirty-two. The En-
glish representation has been increased from mi
nority of three to minority of ten but this cOnces-
sion is of questionable value since the French direc
tors will have clear majority of twenty-five votes
in the enlarged board. whereas their present major
ty is twcnty-One. While the English shipOwncrs
have not materially improved their position in
gard to the management Of the canal, they have Sc
cured the abolition of plotage and large and speedy
reductions of tolls. The monopoly claimed by NJ.
de Lcsseps is tacitly conceded notwithstanding
the outcry raised against it during the summer in
aud out of Parlimcnt The committee of shipOwners
venture to express the opinion that the shares held
by the British Government should be made to carry
adequate voting power at the meeting of the share
holders, but the proposition is not included in the
agreement
The albany argus, attempting to defend Mr.
| Thompson says: During the past year eight or
nine Grand Jurcs have investigated the affairs of
the Department of Public Works and found moth
| ing rejecting In the slightest degree upon the
! judgment or integrity of Commissioner Thompson"
This is one of the finest examples of newspaper in
accuracy that we have noted of late Eight or
nine Grand Jurics indeed! The truth that not one
] I,rt bos inv tod the publiC
partmcnt since Mr. Thompson became the Commis-
siOner three years ago.
The banouet given TO Mr. Parnell in Dublin Tues
dayevenng is one ofthe most impressive episodes of
the history of Irish agitation. He entered upon the
campaign of agrarian and political warfare with a
modest fortune and small landed estate. The eX-
elusive attention which he has given to public
questions has not allowed him sufficient leisure for
protecting his private interests, and his affairs are
| involved IN pecuniary embaUassments OF the
grayest character. For many months Irshmen at
home in the United States aud in Australia have
been raising fund to be presented to him in ac-
knowledgment of his services to the National
cause, Priests and prelates of the Roman Church
have denounced the subscriptions, hut the money
has been steadily accumulating until the fund now
exceeds $4,000. Finally 1t was presented to
the AQitator at great gathering of representative
Irishmen 1t was supreme act of National graft
tude and patriotic confidence. Mr. Parnell has
made many mistakes he has dalied with criminal
agencies and hesitated TO denOunce lawessncss and
assassination and in other respects has fallen be-
low the stature of of the great figures of Irish
history but he has won the hearts of his country
men the world over They believe in him and
attest their faith by works.
The operators engaged in the military telegraph
service during the War of the Rebellion are about
to make an application to Congress for rank and
pensions There may be some question about the
military grades to which telegraph operators wish
themselves promoted twenty years after the fight,
but none at all about their gallant service and full
eat claim to recognition in the pension list.
NJ. Ferry's speech in defence Of the TOnquin
Credits bill was circuitous in ITS logic and down
right dishonest in many parts, but 1t served the
purpose and secured for the Government work
ing majority Having received two votes of con-
fidence the Ministry can now give orders for the
opening Of hostilties and the chatter of diplomacy
in Pekn and Paris will come to an end. Naturally
they will entertain high hopes of closing tho cam
paign speedily with some great stroke of good for
tune The Republic no less than the Empire has a
blind confidence in its luck, and strives TO COM
mand success by sheer audacity and recklessness.
There could be stronger proof of the hap-hazard
policy pursued by the Government than the small
sum voted by the Deputies for the prosecution of
the war. If the credits asked for insufficient,
so Is tho military and naval force in Tonquin. In
deed the inadoquacy of that force can only be ex-
planned on the hypothesis that the Ministry be-
lieved, not what Premier Ferry said on Monday,
but what NJ Challemel-Lacour said last May,
namely that the Chinese would not fight under
any circumstances. If the Ministry have not en-
tertained illusions, but have rcsolutoly faced the
contingency Of IA campaign with China, they have
been guilty of criminal folly In making such scanty
preparations for great conflict.
There ought to be no hesitation on the part of
the Board of Estimate in making an appropriation
for accountants to be employed by the Grand Jury.
1t has been suggested that the present Commits
sioners Of Accounts should be intrusted with the
work. In that he Is greatly mistaken. II the Com
missoners of Accounts had done their duty there
would be less need of the Grand Jury undertaking
an investigation. At least one of the Commission
ers has been examining the city departments for
years, and we have yet to learn of the first expos
ure of fraud that he has made. After someone else
has made the first discovery then the Commission
ers of Accounts ready to take up the work.
And then they have shown q disposition to pub
lsh their reports in defiance of the Mayor. That
Is not the kind of accountants needed by the Grand
Jury, which ought to be able to conduct its inves-
tigation Independent Of the Mayor any city de-
partment. Every aid possible should be extended
| to It,
| King Alfonso Is represented as saying, In the
course of conversation with some German journal
| lists who accompanied the Crown Prince to Spain,