New-York tribune., 1901-01-05

Building set the example TO New-York of fire
proof construction that is actually fireproof. 1t
is not creditable TO American civilization and
progress that the miserable old firetrap method
of building should still prevail so widely as TO
make possible such an appalling total of losses
as that which we have cited.
The only people opposed to a reform in the
extravagant extension of the system of gov
ernment by Commission, from which we are
now suffering, are the Commissioners. Every
man jack of them is busy writing to the news
papers, or getting interviewed, or at least
'buzzing'' his friends to prove that Governor
Odell- is all right in the main. but that he has
made mistake about this one particular Com
mission. To turn him and his lot out would be
q woful loss to the State.
"Odell and economy" is now the Republican
watchword.
The Political Liberty Society, which favors the
giving up of the Philippines by the United States.
probably takes the effects of the anti-m-
perialists who went into political bankruptcy
some time ago. 1t shifts its headquarters from
Boston to New-York in order to be where things
are going on. but as its ideas find no support in
the spirit of the time it will gain attention
influence from the transfer.
'They do some things better in France The
proverb IS musty but there is nothing stale, fiat
or improbable about the decision of the French
Government 70 lessen the number Of dshguring
advertisements cliffs. walls buildings and
fences. by putting proper tax on signboards
whether they displayed upon public pri-
vate property. The Gallo example should be
followed promptly in the United States. No
more hideOus placards can be seen anywhere
than many OF those in this country.
After Governor Odell's message has been read
10 Richard Croker at Vantage. will the Tam
many Boss venture to come back?
England would gladly follow Bellona's precept
and build a golden bridge for her flying South
African enemy IL he would only fly. But that
is what he has no apparent notion Of doing. and.
though several times whipped. rises again as
formidable and troublesome as ever.
Even sleepy Spain is shaking off her age-long
slumbers and is opening electric lines for local
traffic. 1t is significant that Americans are
supplying rolling stock and materials for the
new roads. As Alfred Harmsworth says. Amer
leans far in advance OF all other peoples in
the mastery of that miraculous force. electricity.
and in the practical development OF electrical
imaginable. But what would Don Quixote and
sancho Panza Cervantes himself have said
could they have seen a Yankee trolley car roll
ing the plains OF La Mancha?
Drowning men clutch at straws. Devery has
sunk twice already. AS he rises to the surface
for the third and last time he grabs desperate
ly at the ultimate tuft of the tigers tail, while
Croker yels. Let go!"
Cotton mills both in the North and the South
have had an encouraging and prosperous year
In NewEngland most of the makers of cotton
goods are rejoicing over handsome dividends
while manufacturing In the Carolnas. in
Georgia, in Mississippi and in other Southern
States has been profitable that many new
mills have been built and many old ones have
been enlarged. The North and the South shake
hands the sound and healthy growth of
their industries.
The city of New-Orleans is to be congratulated
on having reached the high water mark of prosN
perity in imports exports. customs duties postal
receipts and bank cearings. On the last day of
the dying century twelve large steamships the
aggregate value of whose cargoes reached the
enormous total of $2.66S. .TO6 cleared for foreign
ports. OF these. one vessel alone-the Mechan-
ican, of the Harrison Line-sailed with a cargo
valued at S1.00O.000. The exports for 1900
touched the record total OF $142. .211 562 This is
increase of S45.645.5S4 the exports of
1899. The total in imports for 1900 amounted
to $50. sos, an increase of S60492 2I4 In GUS
toms duties the total for 1900 was 81. .546 219 an
increase of S2.S60.453 the total for 1899
There is not much evidence in these figures of
the Incidence and apathy that are popularity sup
posed to characterize the cities of the South
The Crescent City, indeed, appears TO be quite
as much alive any of the bustling cities of
the North.
Thin ice 1t is over which officeholders who
draw enormously excessive fees I'm our counties
now skating. and the air holes widen. When
abuses of the fee system in certain offices on
each side of the East River he left no room for
apology or excuse. Under his leadership the
Legislature will doubtless take action that will
mean something.
France consumes ten million tons of coal in
excess of her production and generally supplies
the deficiency from her near neghbor England
but in view of possible contingencies is reaching
out toward Our markets. and is likely sooner or
later to become a steady and liberal customer
She is about to order two hundred thousand
tons, having agent in this country for
that purpose. We glad TO have France on
our books. and can assure her of honest weight
and an unimpeachable commodity.
During the official trials of the Viper the
British torpedo boat destroyer which is equipped
with the steam turbine. it was observed that
the coal consumption. at less than the maximum
other craft of the model and displacement,
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