New-York tribune., 1891-12-16
Milwaukee is bidding in earnest for the Dem

100 marching upon the Executive Commlttee
in Washington, all dressed in dark clothes WIN
cream -coored trimmings" But this Is mercy
their preliminary argument in the convention con-
test The real substance OF MlwauKees orlei
will be disclosed when the carload OF Deer 1or
free distribution, which the Leading brewers Vi
the city are preparing to send, Is opened anu
applied to the understandings OF the Democra"o
committeeman. That this will be signal OF
victory can hardly be doubted by students of
Democratio political history. The other cities
who seek the company of the Democratic Con-
yention next summer must find some more cogent
inducement than any they have yet put Tor
ward. Milwaukee is fighting to win
The explanation of mysterious scar on Gov
ernor Hills neck is timely. Except for an Off
cial assurance to the contrary it might have been
taken for the brand of Cain.
We regret to notice the silence Of the free-trade
press respecting the reciprocity treaty with Ger
many and the negotiations now practically con-
cluded with the British sugar islands. The sub
ject does not seem to interest them. or course,
the advantages Of these commercial arrangements
are so unmistakable that we would not expect
free-trade editors to argue that either American
exporting interests the foreign consumers, VINO
are to have cheaper food, Will suher from the
work Of the State Department. But they gen.
orally feel at liberty to assume the CONSTITUTIONAL
ity of the Reciprocity amendment, and TO charge
the State Department with foul play on the
strength of strictly private and conhdential IN
formation in their possession. We cannot under
stand their saf-restraipt on this occasion.
Senator Proctor's valuable experience in the
War Department is already showing itself in his
new Office lie has introduced bill to promote
the administration Of justice in the army VI
course any measure on this subject emanatlng from
such source is entitled to special consideration,
and Senator Proctor will be in a position to ad-
vocate it with fuller and exacter knowledge
than any one else.
Mr.. Henry W. Knight, prominent Methodist
layman of this city, says that Methodlsts are
neglecting their duties, especially in the large
cities This is somewhat harsh way OF putting It,
It is a fact that Methodism does not show the
same relative increase in the large cities that
some other denominations show. 1t seems to
flourish most in the country and in the smaller
towns But this is due 10 its pecular ecclesiastical
character and organization, rather than TO any
failure on the part of its members in the great
cities to do their duty. In fact, the Methodist
laity in the large cities are among the
most enlightened and progressive members Of the
Church, and, as every one knows, the best preach
ers of the denomination take their turn in minister
ing to the churches in the large cities IT, in spite
of these facts, and in spite of its faithful and
valiant efforts to maintain itself, Methodism is
declining in the large centres of population, it
must be because there is something in the system
Of NIethodism that makes it less successful than
other religious bodies in coping with the COM
plex problems of urban life.
If the authorship Of Governor Hills Elmira
speech is to remain a mystery until somebody
comes forward to claim it, and if the author ever
does yearn for recognition, the chances are that
he will have to reprint the speech at his own eX-
pense in order that the public may know what it
Is that he is claiming.
In the British West Indies there is low tariff
on clothing, haberdashery, shoes, and every line
of manufactures which the English residents there
import. Then there is high tariff on all the
American food products and necessities, Of life
which the population require. The luxures are
cheapened for the benefit of English manufactur-
ers and colonists; and the price of necessities is
raised so as to make the food of the negroes dear
and to shift the fin. .ncial burden of supporting
the Government upon exports from the American
market, where the bulk Of the produce of the
islands is sold. Reciprocity is smashing this pc
culiar system Of English free trade.
The Board of Park Commissioners will be called
upon to-day to consider the petition of the Naval
Reserve Association TO be allowed the Use of Cas-
tie Garden as an armory. no better home could
be imagined for the Naval Reserve, now home
less organization than Castle Garden. The strategic
value of the position of the old fort is beyond ques
ton. The advisability Of having some militia
organization domicilcd in the lower part of the
city can admit of little doubt. The petition is
indorsed by men whose names cannot fail TO carry
weight, and ID is difficult to see on what grounds
it can be refused. 1t probably VIII not be. The
Naval Reserve is a most popular organization and
the members of the Park Board men whose
intelligence will at once enable them to sec the
adaptability of Castle Garden for the purposes of
the Naval Reserve, and the advantages Of having
the Naval Reserve domiclcd there
II is broadly intimated that the milk in the CO.
coanut as respects the disturbance of the Munic-
ipal Civil Service Commission is that Tammany
Hall thinks itself ert.tled TO the three vacant
police surgeonships. or course, then, Tammany
doesn't want any Civil Service examination to in-
terfere with it's distribution OF so much spois.
The idea seems to be TO postpone the examinations
already announced until the Legislature can have
a chance to take these comfortable life places out
Of the line of competition. 1t is nice little
Tammany scheme, and, we are bound to say, an
emnently characteristic But is it likely that
Republican Senate will do anything to help ID
along?
There is yet needed to complete the Washington
Arch the sum Of $2l ,O03, some unexpected ex.
penses having been incurred in the progress OF
the work. OF this amount $4,000 Is wanted at
once. In order to complete certain portion OF