New-York tribune., 1899-07-07

The recent flood in Texas appears to be the
most destructive in its history. For thousand
miles the rich farming lands OF the Brazos, the
Lower Colorado and the Guadalupe rivers are
under water and while the crops over this i'm
mense area are not likely to be entirely destroyed
the injury to them cannot fail to reach the pro-
portions of a serious public calamity. The Com
monweath is large and rich and prosperous
enough to speedily recover from It, but the posi-
biity Of It's occasional recurrence appears to be
one not to be opposed by human agency. The
rivers capable Of providing one such deluge no
more part with their potencies than does China's
terrible stream. the Hoang-Ho, the scourge and
sorrow Of the land since its history began. The
Texas rivers not so entirely unbridled' and
threaten no such wholesale destruction, but their
present overflow shows what they are capable
~ giving token likewise that their devastating
powers admit OF no efficient opposition.
"a little thing like the Constitution" seems
temporarily to block the Detroit scheme for
municipal ownership Of street railroads. The
scheme may effect great reform. But even
refc rms should be brought about in an orderly
manner
Sir Thomas Upton untes the tea and coffee
blossoms with the thistle and shamrock on the
new coat OF arms OF his own device which he
has 1ust appointed unto himself without asking
permission Of any heraldic authority. He was
born in ireland. began business in Scotland and
has made his fortune out OF tea and coffee, so
that the embems chosen have a happy relation
10 his nativity and career A fifth plant may
blossom on the escutcheon after the coming
Yacht race. but whether rue or laurel is to COM
plete the floral quintet can now be guessed at or
bet on but cannot be certainly known.
DR. Black. the Deputy Health Commissioner
for Brooklyn is reported TO be in despair at
the magnitude Of the black smoke evil That
ia what comes OF ignoring the beginnings OF
evil When there only few offenders,
who might easily have been brought to book.
The Tribune warned him that the law was be-
ing broken and urged him 10 take prompt
action He did not act but with preposterous
preaumption tried 10 pretend that there was no
lawbreaking AS the evil grew The Tribune
ceased not It's urgent warnings and appeals. but
DR. Black persisted in his fatuous course And
now when the smut-smoke chmneys are too
numerous TO be counted and the whole borough
is yelled In dun clouds and sulphurous fumes.
the Deputy Health Commissioner wrings his
hands in despair at the magnitude OF the task
before MIN. truly, n StltCH III tlnc saves Hlllei
and a little gumption and attention TO duty
few months ago would have saved a lot Of
trouble for him now. besides inestimable nui-
sances and outrages upon the whole people.
The report that Spain is going to demand n
slice OF China should be taken with a large
pinch OF salt. The sale OF ali her remaining
islands in the Western Pacific does not look
though Spain were entering into any colonial
enterprises in that part OF the world
Oklahoma has a Territorial Treasurer under
indictment and a Governor charged with lend
ing out the State funds to private persons and
corporations and not turning the interest into
the treasury The Introduction there OF Penn
sylvania methods OF administration meets only
the approval Of those who profit by them, and