davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
SOCIETY And WEALTH AT WASHiNGTON

The current remarks about the extravaganza
of social customs and the toyO social display at
Washington in connection with the change Ci
Administration, are neither just nor IN good
taste The change i'll the customs prevailing at
the National capital, in this particular, has not
been due to the Administration nor to the Re-
publican party, but to the fact that great I'M
movements within the past twenty years have
made Washington u far more agreeable place ol
residence than it formerly was Tor persons
whose circurn stances enable them to live where
they please and whose position gives them
social prominence. The city has become in Il
measure place of fashionable resort in winter,
less because officials OF our own Government
have taken the lead in social display, than be-
cause other wealthy citizens who reside there,
and the representatives OF foreign Powers, find
abundant time for social enjoyment. The tone
of the place has changed, undoubtedly. But
il has not changed because of the influence or
example of Republican officials or members OF
either House of Congress.
The officials chosen by the Republican party,
indeed, have generally been men of moderate
or small means with little desire to vie in social
display with the possessOrs of large wealth.
Not one OF tnc hcpuDllcdn i ItSIucHlS HIS DccH
n man of wealth, or fond of social extravaganza.
Secretary Seward was not; Secretary Fish,
though rich, lived in a most quiet way; and
Secretary Evarts followed the same excellent
example. Nor have the Secretaries of the
Treasury been conspicuous for wealth or dis
play. Speakers Grow, Colfax. Blaine and
Keifcr have been as little ambitious for the dis.
tinction which mere money gives as Speakers
Kerr. Randall and Carlisle The truth is that
social ways of Washington have been changed
by the example or custom OF rich Republican
officials. In the Senate. at this time. there are
at least as many rich Democrats as there are
rich Republicans, and of the Democratic Sena-
tors much smaller proportion owe their posi-
ton to tried and proved ability in legislation
than of the Republican Senators.
The fact that Washington has become q more
desirable place of residence for people of ample
means, of late years, has caused men of both
parties to seek or accept places i'll Congress who
would not have consented to endure winter
in the city in old times. 1t is a notion quite AS
contemptibe rs it is common, that man must
needs be incapable as Il public servant, il his
abilities in private life have secured him an in
dependence. But the same ability, as lawyer or
business man, which enables man to succeed
in private affairs, helps him to render more
useful service in public station. The Senators,
not few, whose only passport to influence and
honor ia their proved ability and established
character, rank no higher in the Senate as use
full and faithful Legislators than others whose
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
TILE NEWS From TIE NILE.

England breathes more freely. General
Stewards column is strongly intrenched on the
Nile near Metemneh aud Khartoum is safe.
The morbid apprehen5iOns with which London
has been tormentng itself ever since 1T received
intelligence of the victory at Abu Kica are
shown by official dispatches to be groundless.
The British column has had serious fighting on
the wav to the river, but it has not been sur
rounded nor reduced to desperate straits.
Every attack upon it has been repulsed; the
souare that was broken through at Abu klea
has since proved impregnaUle; and the I'M
mense superiority of civilized warfare over the
crude courage and fanatical frenzy of a barbar-
ous horde has been demonstrated for a thou
sandth time in history. The fears and nervous
anxiety of the English people respecting the
safety of the flying column, as we confidently
asserted last week. were both unnecessary and
unreasonable A well-equipped and thoroughly
disciplined European force could b. depended
upon to fight its way through the barbarous mob
which has besieged Khartoum for many months
without defeating General Gordon and his
negro hirelings.
General Stewart deserves great credit for thi 8
wcll-executed movement across the desert.
The strength of the hostile force to be en-
countercd at Metemneh was miscalculated by
the staff at Korti, deserters having reported
that it did not exceed 1000 men. Apparently
General Wolseley did not look for serious re-
sistance between Gakdul and the river, and sent
out weaker column than the emergency
required. General Stewart has fought most
stubbornly against overwhelming numbers, and,
while his losses have been serious, has succeeded
in repulsng every assault and disastrously de-
feating the Mahdls followers. His wound, while
II deprives him of command, will cndear him to
the hearts of Engishmen and the officers and
men who have fought under him will be praised
the world over for their resolute bearing and
splendid courage. This expedition shows that
there is no decadencc of valor and soldierly
qualities in the British Army, and that both
officers and men can be depended upon to do the
work assigned to them even where the deadly
forces of nature and climate are enlisted against
them and the staff seriously undertakes the
dangers and is guilty of grave miscalculation.
General Stewards column will await IN Its In
trenched position the arrival of heavy reinforce
ments from Korti across the DESERT and posi-
bly will not move southwark until General
Earles column now advancing by river reaches
Berber at the end of naEt month. The com-
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
UNNECESSARY LITIGATION

The opinion rendered by the General Term OF
the Supreme Court yesterday leaves little nope
for Mr.. T.. r. Wood in his contest for the once
of CORPORATION Counsel. All of the Judges
agree that Mr. Kirk was not in any sense
Mayor of the city when he appointed Mr.. Wood
CORPORATION Counsel, as there was no vacancy
in the Office of Mayor at that time. For the
same reason Mr.. Sanger had no claim to the
Office Of Mayor; and there was no legal ap-
pointment of a Corporation Counsel until
Mayor Grace acted on January IA. Mr.. WOOD
expresses an intention to carry the case to the
Court of Appeals, but the reasoning OF the
Judges would seem to dispose concluslvely oi
his claim. So far rs the city is concerned, 1t
has no cause for regret. MIR. LacOmbe has the
credit of having made good officer.
Further litigation in this case means another
big claim against the city for expenses. With
the assistance of Governor Cleveland bill was
passed through the last Legislature by the
agents of Hubert O. Thompson opening wide
the door of the city treasury to claims for legal
expenses IN such cases. Mr.. Thompson still
has large claim against the city for expenses
in endeavoring 10 impede Investigations into
his official acts, and there will be other
large claims growing out of the con-
nicting claims of Police Commissioners.
No matter how the oflicc-holders and Gtigants
fare. the city treasury is sure to suffer.
The present Legislature cannot employ its
time better than in passing a bull repeating
that law, and providing that persons seeking
public Offices shall bear all the expense Of any
litigation they may undertake. Within a few
years the city has paid ont large sums TO law
yers and others employed in such cases. Sc
long as this continues there will be much OF
this kind of unnecessary litigation. 1t is time
an end was made OF IT,
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
PERSONAL.

correspondent Of The Pal! Mall Gasete relates that
Prince Edward Of Wales occasion of his first visit
to Cambridge taken by the Master Of Trinity to eco
the sights Here is little thingof Herkomer said
the Master, pointing to portrait Of HIMSELF VERY
mastersf' referring to Mr Herh0mer not bis ciceroHe
by the way, writes the correspondent, Mr. Henry
George may like TO know that the oung Prince and Mr.
Cham Oerlaln's son are great friends"
Mrs. Langry sets the fashion OF the latest color for
dresses. 1t is called Thames fog"
Queen Victoria leaves Windsor for Germany on March
80, and will remain the continent three weeks.
after her marriage" says The Whitehall Rereu with
authority, the Princess Beatrice and her husband will
reside with the Queen for six months In each aud
the other six months Will probably be spen' IL Ger
many. During this latter time the Duchess VI Albany
Will live with the Queen. The marriage Of the Princess
Beatrice is the Of love-match which
by the Queen The Prince has money; but the usual
sum given to sons and daughters OF the Queen on their
marriages will be voted to The Princess by Parliament"
Victor Hugo first said he would vote against admit
ting Eugene Labiche to the Academy. But when the
candidate called him to solicit his support he said:
Monsieur, I decided to vote against you. / have
changed my mind and Will explain TO you the reason
OF the change. I suffering greatly from violent
insomnia set about reading your plays, and laughed
much that my disorder wore out aud am now In good
health"
When the Greely Relief feet arrived at ST. Johns last
summer after the Of the survivors OF the Lady
Franklin Bay expedition, dense fog hung over the land
and Captain Ash, ice pilot OF the Bear took charge
guided by the sound the breakers the rocks and
beaches along the bay.
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FoRFIGS-British forces in the SOudan defeated
the rebels near Metemneh; General Stewart was
wounded. - woman arrested IN London as a
dynamIteur. - Ice palace at Montreal captured
nv spowshoers - French man-of-war III
omphant compelled to sail from Hong Kong. -
Mysterious murder of a converted Heore" III
Russia - Suppression of the revolt IN Cam
bodia - Sir Stafford Northcote criticised the
Government in speech at Exeter. -.
CONGREss.-The Senate, III executive session. us
cussed the Nicaraguan Treaty. 60 The House
arain refused to take up the Mexican Treaty'bill.
DoMEsTIC.-Heavy SHOWS and extremely cold
weather reported throughout the country from
New-Epgland to the Far West. e. The phys-
clans of Boston discussed the anticipated appear
nnce of cholera. - meteor fell with storm
in Georgia. - Oliver Bros. e. Phillips proposed
new agreement with their creditors III Pltisburg'
- Two families were poisoned ID Pennsy'Vania'
- The New-Jersey Masons held Grand Lodge
meeting at Trenton. - The Massachusetts
State Conference of Free Baptist Churches was
held at Lynn 60 The National Silver Conven-
ton was organized at Denver. Colorado.
Cry AND SUBUEBAN.-S. S. Conant missing since
January 16 - Civil Service expenses reduced
by the Mayor - The jury in the Lohges case
locked up - Augustus l.. Brown and Johh t.
Ouarles died. - The General Term of the SUI
prsme Court decided III ia'or VI wi P'i"'t -,
Gil Lacombe and Police Commissioner McClaVe.
A large Judgment paid by the city. =-
Charges made against DR.. Raborg bv his children.
G. Justice Barrett urged reconciliation IN the
Soles separation case, 60 Gold value OF the
Isga-tender silver dollar 412l2 grains) s32l cents
- Stocks opened lower with some fluctuations
declined all day and closed weak.
The WEATHER.-TRIBUNE local observations IN
aicate fair weather. slowly moderating lempera'
turs Yesterday: Highest. 2So; lowest. 50; aver
age 1912.
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29

plete success of the expedition, however, Is al
ready assured. The road to Metemneh Is open
and the British are in direct communication
with General Gordon.
One feature of the Nile news is almost gro
tesque. General Gordon, instead OF helng III d
desperate condition, reports that he ls aDie 10
hold out for years and is in no need OF immedi-
ate rescue. Gratifying as this intelligence is !.
tends to beitte and cheaper the arduous anu
costly expedition organized for his reilef.
While the British column has been pressing
forward by nuggar and camel, through rapids
and across deserts, fourteen hundred miles IN
hot haste to save the perishing garrison, Gen.
eral Gordon has comfo tably held his ground
and easily retained command of the river. IL
the dispatches are to be believed he is In no
haste to be rescued, and the expedition can
now proceed in a most lesurey way, reaching
Khartoum at its earliest convenience-any time
within two years. Indeed, we are not sure but
that General Gordon with his blacks is pre-
pared to take his flotilla down the river ana
rescue General Stewards force, if any untore-
seen emergency should arise.
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
4 REuINISCENCE.
l)OlntIIicnt,

4 little more than three years ago, Mr. Blame,
as Secretary of State. was conducting n core
spondcIce with the British Government for the
purposc of securing modification OF the terms
embraced in the ClaytOn-Bu.wcr treaty. IL Is
not to be denied that he spoke plainly ana told
Lord Granville some uuwccomc truths. But
he never proposed to violate the treaty. When
Mr.. Blaine retired from the Department, Mr..
Edmunds was among those who joined IN the
cry that Mr.. Bane's position would drift the
country into war, not with Chill alone, but with
Great Britain also.
But Mr.. Blaine had only proposed to modify
the CLAYTON -Buwer treaty by the friendly
agreement of the two Governments. That was
the small guat at which the Vermont Senator
then strained. He now proposes to trample the
treaty under foot and thus swallow the entire
comcl-a swallow it," as the pous African
preacher said, d" hide, hump and heels"
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
E1LrHCURE HOSPITALS.

faith-cnre hospital has been sstab shed at st.
Ioris II is said to be supported by charity. No
other treatment than PRAYER Is resorted to. The
.a,;.,ts however, are very obstinate and continue
20 ii, without the least regard for the theory of
Tho institution. But experiments OF this kind
at tbe expense Of other people seem to be multiply
in, # may be necessary for tho state to Interfere
- behalf of tho unforunates who are the victims
.f this new enthusiasm Ii should certainly be
o;utcd out to tho believers in fath-cures that they
how, no right to try their belief upon heipieSs
ohildren who cannot choose for themselves. Adults
nov uerhaps. bs allowed. without any risk or loss
A. IN. commmity to renounce medical treatment
H., they are i'll, but they have no authority to
,.t the and OF science for others, and this rs prob
ah,v whsre their scheme is vitiated. For faith IN
Oh. nr.yldentia relief of other people from their
,,hvscal. mental or financial troubles IL really
,,actised by many all the time, who are quite un-
aonsc,ous of following a cult in dolngso. When
lane, hears that smith is in bad way and excuses
h,s own inactlon by saving, " Oh, well, trust he
;Il he taken care Off Jones is practising much tho
same kind of faith-cure as is employed at the 81.
Louis hospital.
In fact faith in the watchful care of Providence
over our peiqhbors and friends is the cover for
more Incidence and want of active charity anu
besevolence than perhaps any other conVeh''o"'
.xcuss m vogue and the st. Louis enthusiasts must
not deluds themselves with the uotion tha' lhoS
bave discovered u brand-new cult Their system
s really as old as the hills, and Its iutlity mas oeon
80 often that Is rather depressing u
have to point out is fallaoes again. MOI isthere ANY
real faith involved. inssmuch as thor" y 10 pef'
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
TALKS ABOUT TOWN.
TEASING THE PUBLIC LANDS.

Gen,ral Si,irgis, or Cheyenne. W. T.. manager Union
cattle Company From some inquiry at Washington
am satisfied nothing will be done at TINS session ABOUT
the uaoccupicd lands for cattle grazing, or about
n.,hirc clse but the appropriation bills The subject
viii undoubtedly up Mt the next session. In the
w.s where the matter is understood. is universally
approyed There prejudice in the East against any
scheme that involves disposition partly or wholly OF
large tracts of Government land II the measures now
proposed by catc-growers are not IN the interest o
% vusr, OF land rs we'll large. and OF small grow
c,te IA well AS OF large then they should not be
nos.d II they are not for American as against foreign
interests they should not be passed We are confident
~. can show their utility, however on both scores.
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
TAINTED. MR.. CLEVELANDS IDEAS.

TAINTED. MR.. CLEVELANDS IDEAS.
Mr.. Cleyeland's friends should not be so bit e
terly sarcastic. The correspondent OF me
Herald teegraphs from Washington that Mr..
Cleveland would do the Democrats very
- great service, if he would cause his own
q ideas. wishes and policies to be distinctly
aknown here without delay" Mr.. Cleveland
would do his party great service if he would
cause his ideas to be distinctly known any
where. Indeed, he would do himself great SER
vice if he would acquire distinct ideas. wishes
and policies. But he does not seem to have
such things about him, or to know where TO hnu
them. The notion that he would immensely
benefit his party by making known his absence
of ideas at Washington, rather than ut Albany
is sngularly grotesqne.
1t is quite true, as the correspondent or me
UeydM remarks that the Democratic party is IN
great need of a leader or COMMANDER; that IL
has no policy, does not know what its ideas are
and cannot agree with itself about any import
ant measure. But how can Mr. Cleveland help
this state of things7 1t is not enough to have IA
commander; there must also be followers. Inc
Democratic Senators and Representatives,
whose lifelong habit has been 10 obey the MOD
and who owe their position To past success III
counting the favor OF the pot-houSe politicians
at home. are not going to follow MIR. Cleveland
or anybody else in a policy which does not
please those whom the members recognize aS
their influential constituents. Were Mr.. Cleve-
land the wisest of all living statesmen, he would
find il hard work to command such set OF men
rs represent the Democratic party III Congress.
But, being what he is, Il gentleman not over
crowded with ideas, or overloaded with policies
he will probably recognize the fact that ne couiu
not command if he wanted to. and will let Con-
grcss 20 on much as it plcascs. According to
The Herald, he is likely to find only fragments
of a party" when he comes to Washington
fragments which cannot be made to stick to-
gether. That is likely. But if anybody sup
poses that the distribution OF the patronage Will
reconcile antagoni-ms unite hostile factions
and make the party one, he is doomed to disap-
DOutmcnt.
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29

abilities have also enabled them to secure an In
dependence. There are Senators, as there are
members of the House, in both political parties
who owe their seats wholly to their wealth or
their success in business enterprises, and yet
even these men are not found as rule incom-
petent or unworthy legislators. There is always
one thing meaner than the extravagant display
of wealth. and that is the spite which some peo-
ple show toward those whose honest enterprise
or labor has been conspicuously successful.
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
rvxu WORK DAILY TRIBUNE THURSDAY JANUARY % 1885

sonal responsibility. Making the lives OF other
people depend upon ones own belief In the power
Of prayer resembles too closely the patriotism OF
Artemus Ward, illustrated by his willingness 10
sacrifice all his wites male relatives upon the altsr
of his country. Faith in such cases can only Do
truly shown when the experimenters own life is in
ISSUE for then he or she has serious stake IN tho
result. Starting a charity hospital. however, ana
thus rsking the lives Of a number of casual pa
tients in the way described, Is suspciously ike
gambling and as there cannot be any rational pre-
sumption in favor of the success of the experiment.,
and as in the st. Louis the patients are said
to be "all dying for want of proper care ana
medical attendance" it is to be hoped that the
"faithsts' will be prohibited from carrying their
devices any further. If they really want to test
their faith innOcently yet conclusively, let them
to NewYork and join in prayer for the regene-
ration OF our Board of Aldermen. Should they
succeed there it will be time enough to think OF
trying the remedy in the hospitals
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
nrNoCRATs AND DEMOCRATS

When Frederick Z. Olcott Controller OF thls state
he was one day approached by prominent elllen "no
hcgan TO fud fault with the dOings OF the Legislature
nortcuarv In the matter OF the labor OF committees
expenditures and methods Of doing business ana insl.
ed that IL was the duty OF the Controller TO address
them letter the subject. " My dear SIR quioly TO
Piled Mr. Olcot the office that hold is IL !. M a.e' 90
part of the government OF the STATE but III Is not
great as the Government ITSELF neither am as giea ss @
Is my Office, therefore shall not attempt 20 min
legislature which is my superior Controe, rSarm.
and Governor Hill, Judging from their re'en srn,n
ances entertain different views upon thls MAJ Ma. snr
Mr. 0lcott, but then the former are ians as simplv
falls convention while Controller oleos' ""' 'f''
striving 10 perform his duty,
New-York tribune., 1885-01-29
DEALING WITH TIE SILVER QUESTION

DEALING WITH THE SILVER QUESTION:
The bill reported by Senator Morrill, from
the Finance Committee of the Senate, was de-
signed by the House to provide for the retire
ment and recoinagc of the trade dollar. III Is
reportrd by the Senate Committee with some
important amendments. That the trade dollar
is a nuisance may readily be granted. But
there ia not very strong reason for the claim
that the Government of the United States is
under particular obligation to provide Tor TINS
coin. 1t was originally intended for use abroad
and has been brought back to this country with
out encouragement or authority from the Gov
ornment as a matter of private speculation.
Still it would be proper to get the coin ont OF
the way, and, although no additional standard
dollars are needed, there would be no harm in
substituting trade dollars taken out OF clrcua-
tion for bullion which the Treasury is now
obliged 10 buy.
But the bill pending has different scope. 1t
expressly provides that not more than S5Oo,Oot
worth of the silver which must be coined under
the present law each month shall be III the form
of trade dollars. Moreover, the trade dollars
are to te received by the Treasury at par value
in exchange for standard dollars and not
purchased at their value bullion This
operation will simply deprive the Government
of the profit which it now makes by buying
bullion and manufacturing 100000 standard
silver dollars each month. and It will reward the
nrivate speculation of those who have gathered
the trade dollars, and by various schemes have
frightened or forced people into giving them
ND, during the past few years, in order to make
a profit by their recOinaGc.
But the pending bill. as reported by the Sen
ate Committee also attempts to deal with the
coinage of the standard dollar. 1t proposes
another effort to secure international agreement
regarding the coinage of silver. III no such
agreement be effected prior to August /, 1856,
the coinage of the standard dollar shall then be
SUSPENDED Probably the Senate Committee
would not have reported the bill in this form, II
il had not believed that no better measure codli
be passed But there is little probability that
An effort to secure international agreement as
to the coinage of silver will succeed at this
time. or at any time, SO long as the United
States consents to take $2l,OOOOOO worth OF
silver bullion from the market each year at JUS
own expense.
A more serious objection to the bill is that 1t
defers the suspension of coinage too long. In
eighteen months the consequences OF silver
coinage may not mprobably have been realized
TO the utmost Meanwhile the passage of bill
providing for suspension in the future Will tend
strongly to prevent any earlier suspension, while
the hopes of foreign Governments will doubt
less be encouraged by assurances that Congress
at its next session will modify the act rs to
prevent the suspension of coinage or to defer 1t
still longer The truth is that the bill as re-
ported is not an effective one, although any
effort to limit the danger from continued silver
coinage is praiseworthy.