New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-11


matter OF this kind
Judging from the statements of the car COM
pany officers and employees, the Trainer of the Earl
bill cannot have taken the least trouble 10 inform
himself concerning the situation he nevertheless
proposes to remedy. Tho bill is drawn completely
"in the air" II has application to the existing
state Of things, and cannot change them. II will
neither alter the hours the pay of the drivers
and conductors and IL enacted will be dead letter
from the beginning.
Our London correspondent points out that the
programme of Henry George has been approved
thus far only by few English Socialists, who,
however have not the least idea Of surfondering
the right of lauG-ownership for Themselves. They
are willing that the great landlords should be dis
possessed, but merely because they hope to get
some of the land "to have ard to holt" III the
scramble. This is the underlying notion in all sim
liar projects Nobody ever seriously renounces for
himself the right to possess anything. Many who
possess little or nothing are willing enough to vote
for new division of property, but the idea that
property should be held In common has never APP
pealed with any persuasive force to The average
human mind and never will.
The statement that the Emperor of Austria has
decorated the Mayor of Tisza-Eslar, who mstigated
the abominable persecution of the Jews there on
the charge of numbering Christian girl, may well,
as alleged have caused "a painful sensation" for
it has the appearance of Imperial reward for the
most infamous conduct. The action of tho local
authorities in the case referred to ought to have
secured their degradation and punishment, for
they led on by this precious Mayor, employed tho
most flagitiOus means TO secure the conviction of
tire accused Jews, not hcSitating to torture wit
nesses whom neither bribery nor threats served to
persuade them TO perjure themselves. The Empe-
ror Of Austria has taken upon himself grave
responsibility if indeed he has rewarded this
scOundrel, for such act viii be rightly regarded
as an annOuncemeRt that the Imperial Government
approves of the persecution of the Jews even in its
most monstrOus development.
The question of disestablishing the Church of
Scotland, which was shelved at the last general
election is being agitated again, though there is
no immediate prospect of its accomplishment. A
few days ago Principals Cairns and Rainy, Profess
sors Lindsay and Calderwood, Mr.. Dick Peddie and
other advocates of dsesta5lIshment met for consul
tation in Edinburgh. 1t was decided by this con-
ference to raise at once the sum of 100000 as
an election fund" 1t is not quite clear for
what purpose this money is needed it was assert
ed IN the conference that "as far as argument
and debate were concerned, the disestabshment
party had conquered along the whole line" But
it will probably be used as much as a similar fund
would be used in this country. IL is said that the
advocates of dsestablishment, knowing that they
cannot possibly carry their measure as matters now
stand, are prepared to urge the extension of the
franchise for Scotland, believing that the new
voters would nearly all be in favor Of dlsestablish-
ment But this is not by any means certain; and
it is quite evident that yet there is no general or
urgent demand for dsestablishment on the part OF
the people, Whether or not agitation will eventu-
ally bring this question to the forefront as poit-
ical measure Is very difficult to say.
There Is one good feature in the proposed Mer-
chants Shipping bill, namely, the abolition of the
advance note system. The advance notes given to
seamen are almost invariably plundered from them
by the land-sharks who live upon poor Jack, and
the practical result is that the latter has to work
two months for nothing. Any legislation that Will
render Jack less attractive to the rascals who prey
upon him, is in MS and the public interest. Any
provisions which will put it out of his power to
fling away his slender wages before even he has
earned them is in the line of wholesome reform.
1t is too much To expect. however, that Jack will
welcome any provisions which have a tendency to
obstruct him in fulfilling to the letter the popular
saying that he earns his money like horse, and
spends it like an ass.
The Austrian Government is evidently more
frightened than seems at all reasonable, Judging
from the known state of the case. 1t appears to
apprehend serious nsurrectiOn, which might re-
qnire a formidable military force to suppress. Yet
though there Is no doubt plenty Of dsatfectlOn in
various quarters, there is ground for believing
in the existence of an organization capable of pro-
ducng serious revolutionary results, or of any
intention to produce outbreak which would be
so obviously futile. The Nihilsts especially have
no disposition to make war openly, and are not at
all likely to attempt anything of the kind. They
may and probably will still seek to teTOrize by
assassination, but against such methods horse foot
and artillery are of no particular use.
NOTES ON IND USTRY AND TRADE.