Year: 1869

Our ReIatioas with Russia.


fouching our relations with Russia we have
simultaneously two items of agreeable infor-
matiou-one from Washington to the effect
that our new Minister for st. Petersburg, Gov
ernor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, in view OF an
early departure for his destination, called the
other day upon the President for his instruc-
tions and received them, and that the Presi-
dent and Secretary Fish were very particular
In their suggestions to Mr.. Curtin that he
should impress upon the Gear the essential
fact that his friendship for the United States is
fully appreciated and reciprocased. This is
right. Secondly, we learn from the Russian
capital that the Emperor has sgniied his in
tention of sending an extraordinary envoy to
Washington for the purpose Of congratulating
General Grant upon his election as President
of the United States, and also to express the
value his Majesty sets on the maintenance Of
good relations between the two countries; and
this is good.


We have reason to remember with especial
favor the friendship of Russia for the United
States. 1t did not fail us in all the trying
ordeal of our late Southern rebellion, when
England and France were with the enemy, and
would have joined him for our destruction but
for their dstrust of each other. Through all
this severe trial Russia remained our I'M
shaken friend, and we know, therefore, the
value of the renewal at this day by the Gear
of his desire for the maintenance of these I'M
broken relations of mutual confidence and
good will. His congratulations to General
Grant, we know, involve an expression of
satisfaction at the preservation and expansion
Of the great republic of the West from the
great and expanding empire of the Eastern
hemisphere. The sagacious Emperor sees
that as his power is extended along the eastern
shores of Asia the United States will not stand
in his way, and that against the intrigues of
the Western Powers American and Russian
enterprise may jointly secure and har-
moniously share commercial and diplo-
matte ascendancy in China and Japan, and
that toward these great objects the Burlin-
game Embassy has already opened the door.
On our part we have much to expect in the
development of new fields of trade in Eastern
Asia through Russian enterprise, and little or
nothing from the intrigues of England and
France in China and Japan. Hence, in view
Of our approaching commercial activity in
Eastern Asia, the Importance to us Of the
closest relations of friendship with the Gear.


THE CARRIAGE WAY, having been taken for
the public use, belongs to the public at large,
and no portion of it can be monopolized by
any citizen for his private use nor can autho-
rity be given any person to so occupy the car
riage way by any power less than the Legis-
lature. Nevertheless the infraction of this
public right is common, and 1t is never pos
siblo to find even Broadway entirely clear,
and the obstruction is always on the authority
Of the Aldermen. Mayor Hall has taken the
initiative of breaking up this bad practice in
his action on the resolution passed in both
Boards to permit Patrick Moran to occupy
one-third Of the carriage way at a point in
Broadway. His message is as follows -


Respectfully dIsapproved and returned with the
following 0bJectOn:-Under various decisions OF the
Court Of Appeals In respect to private uses OF the
pubic streets such privilege can be conferred only
by act OF the Legislature, which renders unneces
sary any reference to the nexpediency and injustice
to the public OF this permit or any similar one.


A. OAKEY HALL, Mayor OF the City.