New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-31

ports the latter being but little below the average
for the past years. while the imports are the largest
| since 1882. Returns of internal revenue also lhdi-
cate that domestic consumption OF articles OF
| luxury or voluntary use has not been restricted
during the past year.
A few weeks ago correspondent of The Tribune
called attention TO the fact that fagrant lrregu-
larities had occurred in the supplying of mater-
ais under contract for the Navy Department.
The Senate decided to make an investigation
of these irregularities, and upon the Introduction
of a resolution recently to make the inquiry it
was charged that supplies well as labor were
paid for unnecessarily just before election, and
that at the Norfolk Navy Yard enough moulding
sand TO last 100 years had been purchased, ana
that $3.50 gallons Of lubricating oil had been
furnished for the machinery at the Boston Navy
Yard upon requistion for thirty-seven gallons.
| 1t is proposed to bring forward bill at Albany
this winter providing for reduction OF the numoer
of Bridge trustees necessary for quorum from
eleven to seven We do not perceive any reason why
if a change is needed q smaller number than seven
should not be fixed upon. Why not make 1t hve
or three or even one? To be sure, the usual
custom is to require majority of the members OF
any body to be present in order to make the
|
Bridge trustees have long been a law unto them
selves to a greater or less extent, and when Te-
| taxation of the common practice is made in their
| behalf it might as we'll be radical change as
| moderate one There is likely to be some legisa-
ton in regard to the Bridge at Albany this winter,
but we do not believe that the bill to be passed
will contain any such provision as is here men,
| toned
| The Democratic clubs of the United States are
solemny declared to be preparing for victory
1t cannot be asserted that they have not begun
their preparations good and early But then, they
VIII need plenty of time.
Whatever may have been the cause of the I'M
fortunate and disastrous bursting of the six-inch
cast-stcel gun at the Annapolis proving ground,
we would suggest to the officers in charge of those
tests to bear in mind the apt remark of the late
Charles Sumner in the French arms investigation
discussion: A child should be nursed by one
who loves it, The gun both theoretical
and practical novelty; hence an attempt should
have been made by the officers to increase their
knowledge of the behavior of Bessemer steel un-
der strain Of firing
| "The fact is lost sight Of says The Albany
Journal" that the Capitol tat Albany is an
enormous structure that this is great State, and
that it must properly house its State officers
No. that fact is not lost sight of and to bear it in
mind does not dispose of another fact-that the
CAPITOL has cost nearly 81 900 O0O that it is not
vet finished and that nobody knows when it will
be finished.
"The Brooklyn Eagle has an idea that Mr..
Cleveland will long remain helpful and faith
full guide, philosopher and friend to the Demo-
cratic party That the DEMOCRATIC party is in
need Of guidance, philosophy and friendship is
undeniable, but Mr.. Cleveland's recent conduct
and deliverances raise a doubt to the propriety
of entrusting the delicate duty to him.
The people of Brooklyn have good reason to re-
ioice over the fact that the Kings County Elevated
Railroad Company has decided to run allnight
trains beginning with the new year. This will
meet an obvious demand But there is another
thing that this company should speedily resolve
upon. That is to put stop to the dripping from
its engines which makes it dangerous to cross
Fulton-st in many places There can be no excuse
for continuing this abominable practice.
The Senate should give its attention, soon
as il conveniently can, to the House bill providing
for the taking of the eleventh census. The COM
piation of statistics has been reduced to science
in the United States, and great economies can be
practised that will make the actual work of
securing the statistics necessary for the census
comparatively less than it was in 1880. Many
suggestions have been made for enlarging the
scope of the record, but the divisions already
provided for are sufficiently numerous to give
the people fair idea of their growth and material
pros perity These divisions include the record
of the population together with those social facts
as to races the percentage OF i!literacy, etc;
manufactures mining, agriculture, vital statis-
tics public Indebtedness, and corporations
As TO other details, much may be lett
TO the discretion of the Secretary oil the
Interior and the Superintendent who will have
direct charge of the work, and who will be
appointed soon after General Harrison takes
office Within the possibilities of the appropria-
ton all that can he should be done. That section
of the House bill which provides for the pubhca-
tion of the census in seven instead of twenty
two volumes is sensible. The last publication
was spread over far greater area OF paper
that was required to give the facts. The pubhc's
convenience in using these books should be SUD-
served in deciding TO their form, arrangement