The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-17
CREAM OF THE PRESS.

1cdltn Oh our people.
- ------
CREAM OF THE PRESS.
The Marine Conference.-The for Prompt
Action - The Indian a. a Politician
other Current Comments.
THE MARINE CONFERENCE The ma
rine conference opening IN Washington
today j. an international council that
will lead 10 important Results without
Exciting iealousies or cissenslons. Twen-
ty-six powers are 10 be reDIeseuled M
the sessions. bat SO practical Is the
work in which the delegates will be en-
gagged that harmonious action may be-
anticipated. The confer
ence meets To frame new code OF rules
for the sea It's functions are strictly
advisory, since no delegation has au-
thority TO commit the government rep
resented by it TO any form OF maritime
policy: but the changes in existing
rules Of navigation which 50 large and
influential body OF experts may be-
able to agree upon will undoubtedly be
sanctioned by all maritime State.
The only limits imposed upon the use
fulnes3 of such "A conference are the IT..
strictions upon the progress Of modern
science in certain directions. The chiei
aim of the delegates Is e. lessen the
dangers Of ocean travel in foggl
weather. The present system Of light
and signals can be improved so IS e
Inpart positive Information respecting
the direction and courses Of vessels
but the most powerful lights yet in
vented can only illuminate narrow
circle of fOggv atmosphere. and tho
best steam-w hisiles and fog bells can
ONLY be heard limited distance. The
advance made in increasing the speed
Of ocean steamships has not been &C
companied by corresponding progress
in the development Of precautions fo
insnriug safety at sea. The presen
system of lights and signals Is ciearl,
INADEQUATE for he new conditions i'm
posed by steamers of high speed. ~
Y. Tribune.
TINE FOR PROMPT ACCTON.-Ihe ur
gent need Of the hour is subways TO
the electric light wires. We wan
plenty of them and just as soon as it
possible to prepare them. Nigorou
steps to this end should be taken a
once.
Instead of moving in this direction th
members Of the b lard of Electrical Con
troll are wasting prescous time u
wrangliug over trivial matters and oil
stinately opposing the c0mmehdabi
efforts of Mayor Grant to advance Oh
interests of the people.
III these commissioners cannot DO
good deal better than they have bee
doing. il j. high time for them to stel
aside and clear the way for more enc
getIc men.
Ii Is simply scandalous that the sub
way Construction Company should b
allowed To- puiter along for three year
without providing the needed cOndut'
Snch delinquency Is enough TO dam
both the company and the boar
charged with the control Of the worn
IL the commissioners are nor now di'
posed TO further they must not hiude
/ the prompt and effective measures d,
manded by the public welfare. Oh
structive tactics are not to be tolerate
In "A matter of such mOment.-N.
/ Herald
THE INI1AN AS a POLincIAS.-Ih
Indian as a political factor is "a featuT
| likely 10 attract much attention IN th
newly admitted States. Every India
over twenty-One receiving his allOimeI
Of land in severalty becomes vOtel
Next year Dakota will probably has
over A. 600 Of these citizens, aud the IN
terror Department estimates 2O.OOJ a
the number that will east votes iii ga
next Presidential campaign. The II
dian has naturally some elements Of In
genuine politician, aud 1t Is though
will assimilate with the Western code
without friction of "a serious character
The Indian is a patient man. Civ
him red blanket and Stovepipe ma
and he would strike his teepee on Ill
Capitol steps and wait for al office wit
exactly the same grit that character
ICES the white brother. lie dotes o
long speeches, too; enjoys maxim
them. and listens TO other bores wit
infinitely better grace than our ow
orators. Washington Post.
THE accident in Cincinnati by whic
many persons have lost their lives.
one that could have been 50 readli
foreseen and prevented that 1t Is NH
use of words TO describe II a an ace
dent at all. Wherever "A cable railwa
operates on "a steep inclination, 1t Is OF
yious that the breaking of the cabl
must nave disastrous results. Thi
is SO obvious that common prudenc
requires that cables, used in sue
positions. should be carefully teste
before they are laid, ana Ienewe
before they have had time TO b
weakened to "a dangerous point. Ii u I
the neglect of tins precantion that tn
disaster in Cincinnati is evidently due
In towrs in which she cable system
largely used there are many of this
dangerous places. Even in MAT Chicag
the tunnel under the river gives grad
that puts dangerous strain upon til
cable. and the single line in New forl
climbs hill where the breaking of
cable would produce repetiti n of tn
havoc wrought In Cincinnati. Such
result would not be properly ace
/ dental. and IT seems AS If the mi>caii,
accident IN Cincinnati ought TO fucnis
the basis of an indictment Tor man
slaughter. Y. Times.