New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-12

IHr Observation-Disclosures for to-day; Fair
or clear and warmer. Temperature yesterday;
Highest, 51o lowest. 81; average. 39lao.
The talk with ex-Superintendent Culyer pub
lished in another column shows what serious
outrage was contemplated by the present
authorities when they began to destroy the line
trees which give beauty and individuality to
Prospect Park. This atrocious work has been
stopped, thanks to the timely and energetic
protests that have been made against it, but
with such men as Mayor Whitney has put in the
Park Commission it is hard to tell when this
may be renewed or some other like business at
tempted.
Native-born Americans will appreciate Mr.
Andrew Carnegie's efforts to disseminate
abroad information concerning democratic
principles and their success in the United
States. According to The TRIBUNE's cable
letter this morning the sale of Mr.. Carnegies
book, triumphant Democracy" has been
remarkable everywhere in Great Britain, in
part owing to the liberal arrangements of his
publishers. 1t has been objected by modest
Americans that Mr.. Carnegie ss an author was
rather too boastful of the success of our insti-
tutions 1t may be yet no one will deny that
it is pleasant and unusual to hear foreign
born citizen praise his adopted country with
ardor and Q ven passionate alteration.
The project of building another bridge across
the East River, which has so long been in the
air, is likely to take more substantial shape
soon. Nothing seems lacking but the consent
of Congress- and bills authorizing the bridge
have now been introduced in both Houses.
hnuf parch
the structure would be no obstacle to naviga-
ton and will be built byprivate capital. Start
ing from East Sixtieth-s st, one span will be
thrown to the south point of Blackwells Island
and another to the Long Island shore. The
height above the water will be $50 feet, fifteen
feet higher than the Brooklyn Bridge. The
residents of Long Island ought to be greatly
elated at the prospect of speedily coming into
New York all the way by rail.
In his paper on General Grant to day,
General Badeau extricates bis patron from the
perils of courts and the attentions Of princes
and sets him well forward on his journey
around the world. Some OF the questions
raised by General Badeau in last Sundays
article, however, are of historical Importance
and still occupy public attention. For in
stance: Did the Administration ever offer Mr..
Sumner the mission to Englandf General
Badeau evidently thinks not; but in an article
on this point furnished by former CORE
spondept of THE TRIBUNE at W ashington, it Is
show n that the Senator from Massachusetts, GER
tainly believed that Secretary Fish did once
actually offer him this place. Mr.. Fish denies
IL. and there the matter rests. But it cannot be
denied that the weight Of testimony is against
Dir. Sumner.
The opinion is now pretty generally ex-
pressed among graduates of colleges that the
game of football. so far as actual playing goes,
is all right 1t Is not so ladylike sport as
lawn tennis. for instance, and hard knocks
must be taken and given. But what college
men do think needs regulating is the prelimi-
naries OF the sport Something should clearly
DO done TO prevent the childish chickering's
before and after the game For this reason
DR. McCosh's letter suggesting that the college
authorities shall regulate the sport more care
fully il favorably received. conference Of
college presidents may not be neededj but If
the students themselves would only agree to
Leave the matter to friends Of the game who
have been out of college long enough to have
lost their offensive craftsmanship. some system