New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-22


war on the Northern frontier of India indicate
that England does not place much falth IN the
recent arrangement with Russia. troops are
being massed at Quettah, and supplies gathered
for months campaign. 1t Is prooapie
that the decisive battle would be 1ough1
within that time in case OF a coninct.
Tbere seems to be an unusual desire on the
mart of some of the Senators at Washington TO
create special committees to 60 about the coun-
trv during the recess, to make inquiries concern
ing various matters. The latest proposal is for
a special committee to inquire into the number
of trade dollars put in circulation before
their legal tender quality was repealed. 1t
oucbt TO be an easy matter to get such informa-
ton through the Treasury Department. Inc
people look with suspicion on the proposals 10
send special committees to Alaska and other
parts of the Union at public expense. Inc
Senate would do well to scrutlnlze carefully all
such propositions.
Last month there appeared in The TRIBUNE
a searching criticism upon the TOntine system
ofinsurance by the President of the Connecticut
Mutual Life. He spoke his mind freely, fully,
and without reserve, and when he sat down
sundry intelligent friends of the Tontine system
took the floor in its defence, and proved
themselves foemen worthy of their opponents
steel After they had answered the ar
euments made against the system they pro-
ceaded to carry the war into Africa, or
rather Connecticut, attacking the company
whose president had hit the TOntine so
sayagely. To-day we publish the re-
joinder. 1t is sharp and aggressive in its
ANALYSIS of the Tontlne system. The posi-
ton is taken that Tontine profits are
family losses; that Tontine insurance is but
another name for gambling. The controversy
which is a very pretty one as 1T stands-is not
likely to end here. The Tontine system is
firmly intrenched, and will not lack Tor able
champions.
The imminence of European war gives a
fresh illustration of the saying, that Ill blows
the wind that profits nobody. England has
heretofore been purchasing large quantities OF
oats in Russia. She has now sent her orders 10
this country. At the same time she
has given an order to CHI
cago house for 5000, 900 cans of meat, while
other American houses are furnishing pumps
for the use of her army in Egypt. The low
price of wheat has led to largely decreased
acreage in the Northwest and this fact with the
probable falling off in the foreign crop leads
farmers to expect a return OF good
prices. Europe, Asia and Africa are the
scenes of military movements and prepa-
rations which threaten to lead
to crisis at almost any moment. No one with
humane feelings wishes for war, famine and
pestilence abroad. But it is not in human
nature to ignore the fact that such misfortunes
e.. mo
In the political contests of 1885 Rhode
Island will take the lead. The Republicans
have placed ticket in the field which gives
universal satisfaction, and about its success
there appears to be not an expression OF doubt:
The closeness of the last Presidential
election will spur each party to
nut forth its best efforts this year.
In some of the more important States Govern
prs are to be chosen who will continue In ONCE
- a.. AL m on w