Year: 1874

couraging American ship-building was gener-
allv acknowledged, and there was o unani-
mons expression of the wish that the nag OF
the United States may soon be seen oftener
on the ocean.


There is an apparent uneasiness at Ponce
Headquarters among the detectives who are
To be remodeled and reformed. Some OF them
already despair Of restoring public confidence
in their integrity and ability. A really honest
and energetic squad would never have per-
mitted half dozen private detective firms 10
flourish in this city. They would have made
priyate detectives at once useless and oD-
noxious. AS one consequence of the activity OF
these concerns, compromises with criminals are
everyday occurrences, and the compounding OF
felonies is conducted as O sort OF business.
Mr.. Superintendent Wallng can reform all
this, and we have faith that he will; but he
will have no rest until be does.


The bitterness with which Tho Brooklyn
Eagle has championed the cause of Mr..
Beecher, and The Argus of the same city has
defended Mr.. Tilton, has naturally resulted
in trouble to each. The same irate MIR. Henry
C. Bowen is the Nemesis which has overtaken
both. He has sued the editor and one OF the
reporters of The Eagle for $15O.0OO, and ar
rested the editor of The Argus on criminal
charge. One at least of the articles which
Mr.. Bowen complains of was too outrageous
for publication even il true. II everybody
whose private character and domestic happi-
ness have been assailed in this great inter-
minable scandal is going to law for redress,
there is an awful future before our courts.


1t will be great relief to the public mind
if the first stories of the whipping OF the
little Italian boy at the House of Industry
prove to have been greatly exaggerated.
Certainly later developments show that Bar
nard was not so brutal as people were at first
led to suppose, and it is not impossible
that further investigation may exculpate him
almost entirely. 1t is clear, however, that the
whipping administered to sick child brought
on dangerous aggravation of his illness. to
say the least and it would seem to be fitting
that the directors of the institution should ex-
plain how a thoroughly incompetent man like
Barnard came to be trusted with the terrible
power Of the rattan.


The Republican Convention of NewJersey,
in paying compliment to the "wise admin
"istration" of Gen. Grant, and rendering to
the President a vote Of "unabated confidence"
performed an act of civility which the other
party conventions this year seem to have made
up their minds to omit. Whatever may
have been the object of the resolution, it did
no harm, and certainly detracts nothing from
the character of platform which, as plat
,o hoI ha
is suspiciously anxious to have it understood
that the coming contest is over local issues
and has no National ignifcance-which people
will believe or not, just as they choose.
The nomination of Mr.. Halsey was o
foregone conclusion, and all the Repub-
licans in the State, except the disappointed
aspirants and their household followers, will
rejoice at it. We hope the Democrats may be
induced to nominate an equally unObjection-
able man, if not better one.


The discovery of gold has invested the
Black Hills with new attractions. and reports
from Gen. Clusters expedition are looked for
more eagerly and read with greater interest.
Our special correspondent with the expedition,
In letter published in THE TRIBUNE to-day,
gives careful statement of the circumstances
under which gold was discovered and the ex-
tent and nature of the yield. He also proffers
some timely advice to those who are disposed
to tempt the perils of the Indian country on
the bare chance of saving their scalps and
making a fortune. Custer Gulch may make
millionaires and add largely to the wealth OF
the country, but like all gold-bearing soil it
will make many more paupers. In view OF the
fha which
Hills were long ago set apart for their exclu-
sive occupation and use, Gen. Sheridan's
order prohibiting private expeditions to the
new gold country was well advised, and should
be strictly enforced.