New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-29
A GRE1T DI0COTERY.

| pcaSantnesS has already arisen DeuWtcn IWo Vi
our esteemed contemporaries over the question OF
exclusive or joint ownership in this aquatic pro-
duction and we hasten to call the attention Of our
readers the fact that it is not 70 be found else
where in our columns But with al due con-
cessions and Acknowledgements to the real or sup
posititious owner or owners, we venture merely to
point out the circumstance that MIR. Ross has
evolved a new theory Of longevity which ought
TO engage the immediate attention Of the medical
profession The New Brunswick mot New Jersey
oarsman is an enthusiastic advocate OF
the dry rub as opposed TO the or
binary domestic bath-tub. And not only
this, but he has likewise conceived rooted
aversion to the sponge and wash-bowl as daily
or even semi-weekly adjunct of the athletes
toilet BY way Of making apparent TO the
meanest intelligence the tremendous Importance Of
| his discovery he desecrates his own most sacred
emotions by invading the hallowed precincts OF
| his grandsire's bedchamber. and exposing to the
ruthless gaze Of the world that venerable gentle
man in the act Of dressing. Il have a grand
father in New-Brunswick nearly hundred years
| old writes Mr. Ross, and he has never seen q
bath-tub.'
II is far cry from New Brunswick TO New
York. and we may never behold in the flesh this
patriarchal object lesson. But we do not mourn
as those without hope, for the grandson gives us
TO understand that II Is his intention also to
round out century of existence under
similar conditions. Mr.. Ross has yanlzed the oar
to his own glory and profit these many years.
but even he has occasionally encountered defeat
We incline to the belief that these rare mis-
fortunes have been due TO his unworthy
trining with great principle. In a moment Of
inadvertence he comedies that bath every week
or ten days mi yht prove comparatively harmless
and he must have tried the rash experiment upon
himself before consenting to make such an adj
mission public. But how can we be sure that he
would not now have been the hero Of long
and unbrolJen series of dazzling victories If he
had adhered without the minutest deviation to the
immortal theory and practice of the dry rubP
-<~---n----------------
The Health Board Of this city has authority to
see that all cars used for the transportation Of
passengers in New-York arc provided with the
means Of securing good ventilation There, I'M
fortunately, its authority ends. If it could COM
pei good ventilation as we'll as good ventistOrs,
the public would have reason to rejoice At
tenton is directed TO this matter by the fact
that the conductor of strect-car on recent cold
day, gave his passengers more ventilation than
they cared for. Ordinarily the complaints
of too little fresh air rather than too much.
1t may be unnecessary, but still it can do no
harm to remind Governor Hill that the Repub-
lean Legislature will shortly have its eye on him.
Civil Service Commissioner Edgerton with I'M
necessary warmth replies to the report that no
described the reform of the Civil Service a
sham and fraud" lie denies that he said
this or anything Like it. He insists that the
reform is bcnefcent and wholesome Ii Mr. Edger-
ton did call the reform q sham, 1t is of no con-
sequence If no says it is good thing, it. Is
of no consequence. The important thing for the
people to have in mind is that Mr. Edgerton, who
is sham reformer, choice embodiment OF the
spoils principle, was appointed to execute re-
form law to which his entire career was hostile
He was the Democratic Presidents idea of the
sort of man who should be selected to establish
the reform, and such he has served useful
purpose. He has proved the fasity Of the Demo-
cracy's NiItuous pretensons Mr.. Edgrton's
views interest nobody. lie derives his only i'm
portance as reflector through which light has
been thrown upon the Administration.
South Dakota people," says The Minneapolis
Tribune" talk of nothing but Statehood Let
them be patient little while longer, and they
will be satisfied. The days when Territory's
clear right of admission is denied for political
reasons are about over.
According TO the report in " The Sum- Presi-
dent Howell said in regard to the recent accident
on the Bridge railroad that the investigation would
be strictly private and the result would not be
given TO the press. Docs Mr. James Howell
ina CINE himself an autocrat, and does he think
that he is living in Russia? The Bridge is a
public institution and the public consequently has
a right TO know all about IT, When accidents
happen on the elevated railroads, people are often
sorcly vexed because the officials are 50 close
mouthed. In a sense, TO be sure, they have q
right TO maintain secrecy regarding their opera
TONS Not so with the Bridge authorities Mr.
Howells position is without the least justification.
Take Off the bolts and bars. Let us have no Star
Chamber proceedings in relation to public affairs.
Electricity as street-car motor is a society
for tho prevention of cruelty to animals all by
itself.
A boy killed by a bob-tail car in Brook
1yn on Christmas Day. Why do not the Brooklyn
authorities abolish these dangerous nuisances? The
Aldermen in this city have set them q good ex-
ample. The car-stove and the bob-tail car may
wisely be allowed to die together.
----S
PERSONAL.
Mr.. n r. Chcatham, who has been elected 10
Congress from the lid North Carolina District was
born in slavery.
Quseret, the Communist cut-throat whom tho
electors Of the Var have chosen to disgrace them in
the French House OF Representatives, is sxty-fve
years old tall and we'll built In spite Of his notorious
gluttony and drunkenness
al drank" says p T. Barnum, more or less ntOxi-
eating liquors from 1887 TIL 1s47. Tho last four
OF these years / I'm England, and there tho habit
and my appetite for liquor grew strong from month
to month that discovered that II continued 1t would
certainly work my ruin. With tremendous effort
and a most determined resolution broke the habit
square of, and resolved to practise II again
have rel giousy kept that resolution for than