Year: 1874

tested. The bin now in the hands OF the
Governor authorizes an experiment to be made
outside of the city If it's successful operation
is certified by several specified engineers 1t
may be erected inside the city, provided
route is found for it. This contrivance is an
endless platform, moved along an elevated
track, and passing up one side OF the city ana
down the other. There are not few careful
business men who believe that the scheme
is entirely feasible.


In spite Of all remonstrances. the managers
OF the Third-ave. and Vanderbilt Rapid Transit
bills insist upon the mOnstrous feature OF a
depot in the City Hall Park. Under these
circumstances we advise those who believe
that the city has some rights which rail-
road magnates are bound to respect,
to give little heed to the current
reports that the bills are likely to be aban-
doned by their projectors. They moved with
q rapidity too suspicious the other day wheh
they were up The next time they get
started the same rate of speed might carry
them through. Under no circumstances can
bills conferring such monstrous privilege De-
come law this year, but it is better to hght
them at the outset. 1t is real misfortune
that the men who have the means to give
rapid transit to the East Side. and to make
it profitable, should not be willing to aoop1 "
practicable plan.


The finance question will bo likely to come
up in the House to-day in full force. Inc o'u
proposition to redistribute twenty-five miliions
of the currency will give the infiationlsts an
opportunity to at least seem to recover them-
selves. One of the complaints brought by the
President to the attention of the Boston anti-
initiation delegation was that Massachusetts
had moro than its share of the currency.
"Then take away the excess" replied MT.
GRAY. who could not admit that this remark
was pertinent to the general proposition that
there was danger in further initiation of the
currency. But several leading anti-infiatlon-
lists in the House, Mr.. Phelps among the num-
Der, oppose this redistribution on the ground
that it will only delay a satisfactory settle
ment of the question of free banking, which
they wish to see decided now Between these
various interests, there is likely to be brisk
contest over the redistribution bill whenever
it comes up for action.


On the third page of THE TRIBUNE to-day
we print review of the work done by vari-
GUS organized charities to relieve the poor of
this city during the past Winter. 1t will be
seen that the number of cases relieved Is
very large. Indiscriminate alms-giving to al
unknown but very large extent has been
practiced and it is undoubtedly true that
professional" beggary has been fostered
somewhat. 1t is quite possible, in-
deed, that pauperism has been en-
couraSed by well-meant efforts to alleviate
real distress. Nevertheless, this must always
be true when the need of helping the poor
il so great and general as it has been in this
city. Against these disadvantages must be
set the vast sum of good which has been
accomplished in the name Of humanity. The
call for relief was sharp and urgent; it has
been heard and answered; and now with the
return of q milder season and the reopenlng of
many branches of employment, the need of
extending such extraordinary means of sub
sstence has fairly passed away.


In the General Appropriation bill now pend
ing in the House of Representatives two or
three much-needed reforms are proposed. OF
these the clause designed to cut Oft the supply
of enlisted men in the War Department is not
the least important. 1t is possible that these
men are wanted as clerks in the War Depart
ment. But that is not the question at all. 1t
is a violation of all sound rules governing the
civil service to create from enlisted men in
the army clerical force that can be increased
or diminished at pleasure independently of the
action of Congress. The regulation of the print
ing of the currency is another reform which,
while it cuts off one of the privileges of Bu
reau of the Government, brings an important
branch of the service under the supervision of
Congress, where it belongs. The Departments
prefer to augment their irresponsible powers
Congress prefers to cut them down. This
pruning tending to economy though it does.
is really more valuable because it confines
Executive Departments to their legitimate and
proper responsibilities.


Blackmailing, or something worse, appears
to have been involved in the Herman case, as
examined in the Ways and Means Committee
on Saturday. Mr. Herman was indicted for
alleged fraud on the revenue. His commercial
standing was fair and his conscience, it is
said, acquitted him of all evil intent. Anxious
to avoid tie scandal of a trial, he was ready
to pay what was exacted of him. He did
finally pay $4,000 to various persons represent
ing the Government. Part of this money was
said to have been expended in procuring q
withdrawal of the alleged proceedings against
Herman. There was nolle proSeQui entered
in his case, and there the matter ended SO far
as he was concerned. If the go-betweens who
told Mr.. Herman that the money they took
from him to secure noHe proseQui spoke the