New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-07

The new Board of Aldermen is not expected
TO organize to-day, because the Democrats can
not agree among themselves on the question of
spoils. If this deadlock could only be kept up
until January l, 1850, it would be q beautiful
thing for the city,
The British Government has decided that
England shall maintain her position in the Nile
land, protect Lower Egypt, and prevent the
King of Abyssiuia from attacking any Egyptian
troops which may be sent against the Mahdi.
But this does not eXtIicate the Khediye from
his predicament by any means. He is not
ready to let the Soudan go; but he cannot de-
fend it, and England will not His only hope
seems to be in Turkey. But the Porte is in
bad way financially, and France will not be
pleased TO see Turkish troops in the desert.
For reasons which peruSal of the matter will
make clear, something over column of THE
TRIBUNES space this morning is devoted to the
report of sermon by the Rev. Ii. j. Van Dyke,
IT,, of the Brick Church. The topic is "PcTma-
nence and Progress in Religion" and the
preacher takes the ground that the law of the
development of Christianity is expressed in
those worls. What Mr.. Van Dyke says is rec
commended especially to conservative Chris
tians who think that change in religious views
on any point means the destruction of the faith.
Mr. Buckner's bill "tO prevent undue con-
traction of the currency" which be purposes TO
introduce in the House to-day, has already
called forth much criticism from able tinanciers.
What it is and what the objections to it are
will be found described in our Washington dis
patches. The measure is pronounced by many
Representatives to be highly unconstitutional
and dangerous. This hardly goes to show that
Mr. Carlisle knew whereof he spoke when he
said that Mr.. Buckncr "wOuld not make war on
the National banking system or indulge in any
crazy vaganes about the currency" II the
Chairman on Banking and Currency ever made
such a promise 10 the Speaker, it must have
been with an immense mental reservation.
Parents whose children are away from home at
school will be reused to anxious thought by the
burning of the convent at Belleville, H., which
resultcd in the death of a number of pupils and
their teachers 1t is to be feared that in most
buildings used for educational purposes through
out this country, sufficient provision for
safety against fire has not been made. 1t is only
within a few years that the subject has received
much attention, and there is probably not q
State in the Union where proper structures laws
are in force. Meanwhile buildings of all sizes
and for all uses have been going mp rapidly just
as the owners pleased. How unsafe they are is
only made known from time to time by some
calamity like this at Bellevile. II is likely that
in the course of years the legislators of the
different Commonwealth will be reused to the
necessity of passing proper building laws. But
it is taking a sad experience to teach them.
An article to be found elsewhere in this paper
will correct the impression which prevails wide
" in this country. that electric lighting is do
ing little in Europe. The fact is that il is COM
ing into much more common use there than in
the United States. Gas has never been III great
favor abroad; but the Objectionsurge against
it are not applicable to electricity. 1t will be
noticed that the almost universal custom IN
European countries is TO place the wires under
ground. The difficulties of Experimentation
which we hear so much about in New York, do
not seem to be met with elsewhere. Managers
of electric light coInnanies who are actually