New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-23

in favor of an auxiliary naval reserve. So
much interest has been manifested in this
project that there is a strong probability of
successful and satisfactory arrangement being
made. Such reserve would bear about the
same relation to the Navy that militia regi-
ments bear to the Army. To be prepared for
war is sometimes the best way Of preventing
war Nobody wants to see immense standing
armies or vast navy in this country, but we
cannot afford to neglect reasonable means for
defence.
Z One of the vexed questions to be discussed
and settled at the approaching session of the
Methodist Episcopal General Conference in
wolves the standing and work of Missionary
Bishop William Taylor, who has spent the last
four years in the Congo region. The Bishop
has returned here and will be on hand to speak
for himself That he will be able to make a
good showing is the inference to be drawn
from the talk with him reported in our columns
this morning The project Of taking women
and children ON a missionary expedition to
Africa seemed doubtful one, and DR.. Taylor
will have to stand sharp fire of criticism in
the conference. His work must be judged in
the light of its fruits, and he seems to have no
Gears as to the issue.
One of the leading churches of this city, and
probably the foremost church Of that denomina-
ton in the country, is the Fifth Avenue Baptist.
Its success and prominence are in large de-
gree due to the untiring efforts of its now
venerable pastor, who yesterday celebrated the
fortieth anniversary of his pastorate. DR..
Armitage's morning sermon was largely rem
iniscent. He said that he first preached when
only fifteen years of age and the early part of
his ministry was spent in Methodist pulpits.
Pastorates extending over forty years are rare
in these days, although two have been COM
memorated in this vicinity within the last two
years. DIR. Armitage has been not only faith
full pastor, but large-souled citizen. There
cannot but be universal desire that he may
have many more useful years in his chosen
work and in the field where he has so greatly
prospered.
Carefully compiled statistics show that the
losses by fire in the United States during last
year were nearly S120, 900, 900, an increase of
over / per cent as compared with the previous
year. In the older parts of the country there
I, Ys.a0 alarming increase in the number or de-
structiyeness of fires but in the South and
West fires keep progress with growth in other
respects. The principal causes of confagra-.
tions are incendiaries and defective fues. That
the defective fue is such an important agent
Of destruction speaks i'll for carefulness in
building. Not few fires are attributed to
spontaneous combustion; which means, we
suppose that their origin cannot be clearly
traced. In spite of the numerous appliances
for securing the escape Of people from burning
buildings, more lives were lost by fire in 1887
than in any previous year since complete
records hare been kept
The cIearcst sort Of evidence that Physical
Wrecky Black has violated the law was pre-
sented in the House on Friday greatly to the
discontinue of the Democrats The accuser
was General Henderson, who affirmed that the
Pension Commissioner had been guilty Of
granting pensipns 70 veterans Of the Mexican
War in 49, 1k>ze 70 applications bad been