Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 15, 1878, Page 4

z THE CHICAGO ‘wii UNEs SUNDAY. DECEMBER 15, 1878—RiXVEEN PAGES, The Tribwie, TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. 2.50 2.00 Qne copy. per yer. .8 Clubut four..... Specimen coples sent free. 5 Giye Post-Utice address in fall, fncluding State and County. Lemittances may be made efther by draft, expresa, Post-Otfice order, or In registered letter. at our risk. TERMS TO CITY SUBSCRIBERS. and was married July 1, 1862, to Prince Louls® Freperics | Wrnar of Hesse-Darmstadt, She has borne.to her husband seven children,. the youngest of whom, MuuE VICTORIA,— the twenty-sixth grandchild of the Queen,— died‘but recently of diphtheria. pie. autins Sty THE STATE REVENUE LAW. The Legislatura will meet in the first week 1.50 of January, end, beside the ordinary dotail 5:00 | of legislation, will be called upon to consider many subjects in which this city and county, together with other parts of tho State, have a deep interast. One of the more important subjects, end one which this city has a greater T.afl5, delivered. Sunday excepted. 25cents per week. | direct interest in than any. other is the iclivered. Sunday fncluded, 30 cents per week. Address THE, TRIBUNE COMPANY, Corner Madison and Dearborn-sta.. Chicago. 11l Orders for the delivery of Tug TeIBUNE at Evanston, Englewood, and Hyde Park Iefs 1o the counling-soom Willrecelve prompt attention. TRIBUNE BRANCH OFFICES. Trz CuicAGo TEIBTNE has established branch offices ar the recetpt of subscriptions and udvertsementsas. | was crude and imperfect. cliows: NEW YORK—Room 29 Tribune Bullding. F.T.Mo- ADDEX, Manager. PAKIE, France—XNo.' 16 Rue de 1a Grange-Batellere. H.MauLsr, Agent. LONDOX, Eng.—American Exchunge, 449 Strand. Brsxy F. GlLLG, Agent.: . g . BAN FRANCISCO. CaL—Psalace Hotel +SOCIETY MEETINGS. D. C.CREGIER LODGE. NO. 643, A. F. & A. M.— Hail Nos. 406 and €03 Milwankee-av,, near Carpenter- #.—The Annual Communication of ihis Lodze for the election of officers, aud payment ot . e 1raneacdon of Jmportant business, will b ¥ day evening, Dec. 14, at 7:a) o'cloc oAl membors are. requesied 1o be, proscnt. Vistting Urethren cordlally fnvited. B‘{nrfltl‘ ot iR AMES KEATS, W. M. JORK GINOCHIO, Sccretary. WASHINGTON CHAPTER. NO. 43 R. A, M.—Ap- al Convocation Friday evenlng, lee. 2 7 oclock, at Hall cornerof Kandolph and Halsted-sta.. 10r the election of otticers, the paymeut of ducs. and othier important business.” _ A full aitendance desired. By, order of HENRT MUNSTERMAN, H. P. CHAKLES B. WRIG! Sceretary. COVENANT LODGE. X0. 526, A. F; & A, M.—Reg- ular (Annuai) Communication wiil be_held ‘Fridny evenlog, Dec.. 20, at Corinthian lall, No. 167 East Kinzfe-st., for election of oticers and payment of dues.-~ All ‘the memvers are requested to be prescat. Broer | enn, seerdan WOLSELET, W. 3l WILLIAM KERR, Secretars. CHICAGO COMMANDERT. NO. 19. K. T.—Aunual Conclave Monday evening, bec. 16, at 7:30 n. ni.. for vlection of otficers. payment of ducs, and ‘other im- portzny businese. A full attendance requested. By order of the Eminent Commander. JAMES E. MEGINN, Kecorder, BLAIR LODGE, NO. 393, A. F. & A. M.—Tiegu- Jar Cofmunication at Free-)asons' liall, 76 Monrue et.. Monday evening, 16th inst., for bustness and workon 3d Degree. Vidting bréthren cordially in- vited. By order of D. H. DICKINSON, W. M. 1. A.CASTEMAY LODGE, NO. 634, A. F. & A. M.— Liezuiar Communication fn thelr “: sliarp. , Installation of officers. _Visitors he, 5 G. A. DUCGLASS, Secretary. . ONAL LUDGE, NO. 596, A. F. &A. M.—All bers re nozified to meetas the hall Eanday, Dec. 15. at 10 8. masharp. o atlend the foncral of vur cvceased Brottier, J. B. Hauna. By order Wa M.. = . A.CIYWOUD, Seerctars. : CORINTHIAN CHAPTER. NO. ®. R. A M.— Regular Convocation Muuday evenlng, Dec. 16, at 7261 o'clock. Instalistion uf officers. - Visiting Com: eutons are invited. 35 order ot e G. W. BARNARD, . P. . ‘BERNARD COMMANDERT. X0, 35, K. T.— 4 Conclave Wednesday evening. Dee. 18, at 7:30 ck. - Visiung Sir Knigtita are fnvited: Brorder of . F. MAURER, E. C. GOLDEN RULE LODGE, X0. 726 A.. F: & A. M. Annual Communication’ Tuesday cvening, Dec. at 7:30 sharp, Every member requested o bz pro eat. Byorderof - * g -W. 8 RICHARD COLE LODGE. NO. 637, A. F. & A. M.— The Annasl Communication will be Leld Tiraday evening, Dec. 18. ~All memoers ere notified to be present. By order of the W. AL SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1878. améndment of the State Revenue law. This law was enacted in 1872 and went into opera- tionin 1873. It was a code in iteelf. It embraced in one act all the previous legisla- tion on the subject of taxation and revenue, with many improvements, many mistakes,. many speculative provisions, and much that The two years intervening before the meeeting of the Legislature developed many defocts, which were partially cured and remedied by the Legislature in 1875, and two years later (in 1877) other defects and crudities were cor- rected, so that the law, relieved of some of its original monstrosities, has been reduced to measurably good working order. The change in the Constitution and the change from spe- cial to general laws involved a change of sev- eral varying systems of assessment, taxation, and collection, and to reduce all these to one hbarmonious system necessarily pro- duced confusion, embarrassment, loss, and wmuch injustice. To harmonize municipal taxation and collection—theretofore carried on under independent charters—with State taxation dnd collection was a matter of ‘difficnlt management, but time and six yesrs' experience have contributed to make the task successful. Out of all this season of confusion, while the revenue system was in a state of transi- tion, there grew. upin this city—and it hasex- tended through the State—what is known as “tax-fighting,”—asystemby which the owner of taxable property refuses to pay his taxes, takes the chances of the Court sustaining or ~overruling the law, and, whether he win or loss, gains several years' time, if he do not succeed ‘in escaping taxation altogether. This practice has beeri somewhat the result of the decline in the values of real estate, tho reduction of rental incomes, and also of the supposed uncertainties and defects in the law. Butthe loss upon municipalities has beén very great, amounting at one time to nearly four millions of dollars in this city slone. The doubts and" technicalities upon which legal tax-fighting has been car- Tied on have been largely overcome by ju- dicial decisions and by timely amendments of the law by the Legislature. But the in- | ventive gerius of man seems zlways bent on : ‘the defeat of taxation, requiring the constant need of remedial legislation. " The Revenue law is defective in that it provides no sufficient available penalty for the non-payment of taxes. The law allows the purchaser at a tax-sale n fine for the use of the money advanced by him, but it in~ volves certain. other conditions, including 'In New York on Saturdsy greenbacks wers steady at 99%. B - A report was widely circulated yesterday efternoon that the Hon. W. K. McALLsTER had died at Waukegan. The friends of the Judge will be rejoiced to learn that heis still on this side of the river, and is likely to remain here for another term. Abill possed the House on Friday to prevent exorbitant charges within State lines for local freights, and provid- ing that in the case of thromgh roads the " rates shall be uniform. A signifi- cent circumstancs in connection with the bill is that it has met with no opposition from therailroad interests, which, its promoters think, would be greatly in- jured should it become a law. It will be safe to make o careful scrutiny of all its bearings when it comes before the Senate. Last winter the Postmaster-General asked for an appropriation sufficient to cover the needs of the Postal-Car service, end the Democratic. Honse, to show the country Low full of virtue and ecomomy it was, cut down the ‘appropriation one- lalf. There was just "edough given to run the servics the first Lhalf of the fiscal year. And now Postmaster- General Kex is compelled to call for $400,~ 000 to carry on this branch.of the Postal service for the remainder of the year. This is one of the many conspicuous instances in which Democratio economy means crippling the Administration. Tox Ewine announces to the world that heis an out-and-out Greenbacker, but that Le still has enough of the Democratic leaven in his composition to attract him to the Democratic caucus. EwING, in his forecast- ing of the future, has probably taken into account the sorry experienceof the Greenback partymn November last, and while he would linger in the spirit with the inflationists he would also hold fast to his membership the Democratic tabernacle, that he may have alittle more company and also much more sympathy in his lament for the days when' the Democracy was a living element in the politics of the country. s Afr. Tronaan’s trainers for the Presidential Tace are not having & happy time of it. Their principal has his ideas of the expediency of certain preliminary, moves on the political checker-board, and these ideas run counter 1o thoss of his friends. It has been thought necessary by the leading Democrats of Ohio that, in order to obtain a good lead in the Presidentisl contest of 1880, Ar. * TrurMax should first be elected Governor of Ohio. But the Senator has his doubts £s to the expediency of such a course, led thereto DLy the fact that he would probably have for his competitor in the struggle for Guberna. torial honors no less a person than the Ifon. Cuanvzs FosteR. | Therefore the Senator has set his foce against this part of the pro- gramue, and will have none of it. The' death of tho Princess ALicE of En- gland, Grand Dochess of Hesse-Darmstadt, which occurred yesterday morning, will czuse universal sorrow throughout her Maj- ¢sty’s dominions. The. British people have a sincere affection for all tho daughters of- Queen Vicrorm, end Princess‘ALICE was un .especial favorite since’ she was o mrl, and the pet of her Imperial 1other. Her accomplishments as an artist ‘were well known, and heér literary tastes soared beyond -the atmosphera of the mers #ocial Court circle, It is worthy of remark that she was also the only daughter of the Queen who had attained an aciual reigning position among the European Ppoientates. Avice Matp Mury, the third child and second daughter of VicTonu, wasborn April 25, 1843; that of paying all preceding and sub- sequent taxes on the same. prop- erty.” When, for instance, the city fax unpaid is $200, he has to pay that sum, also the State and county taxes for the sdme {ime, and all taxes previously due on the same property, as well as subsequent taxes,—city, State, county, and other,— and, if he fail to pay these, he 15 not entitled to o deed for the property. The purchase at a tax-sale, therefore, not only involves the peyment of the $200, but also the payment perbaps of $600 to $800 more, befors the purchaser can get a'title. Under these cir- cumstances, there are but few persons who are willing to engage in the business of ad- vancing taxes on the chances of ultimate recovery. Each investment of that kind, to have any permament security, requires the investor to be prepared to make further pay- ments two or three times greater than the original one. TUnder these circumstances, there are few orno cash purchases at tax-sales, and all property on which taxes are not paid is merely forfeited to the State, the only penalty being 10 per cent interest until paid. Persons therefore who can find other uses for their money do not pay their taxes ; they let the property be forfeited, and, after one forfeiture, there is but littlo danger of it be- ing purchased at tax-sale. So the property is left year after year with the taxes unpeid. Occasionally, when a sale is made by the owner, or a new mortgage is executed, or an old mortgage foreclosed, the taxes have to be paid; but in the menntime all over the State o vast debt of unpaid taxes is growing up, increasing ‘annually at the rate of 10 per cent compounded. All this revenue is lost to the State, the cities, countics, and towns, and hasto be made good by extra taxution on those who do pay theirtaxes. When a tax of fourmills would be sufiicient to supply the revenue for a given purpose, it is necessary now to levy a tax of five mills 1n order to securs the needed rev- enue, because one-fourth or ore-fifth of the taxes are unpaid on property forfeited to the State. This is especiallyisevere on the City Governments. They are required by law to make specific appropriations for all their ex- penditures, and their tax-levy is limited to n rate sufficient to produce the aggregate sum of the appropriations.’ Any failure, therafore, in the payment of the taxes leaves adofi- ciency in the revenue which has to be car- ried in some faghion. If the rate be enlarged 50 8s to cover the estimated deficiency, —and the loss of revenuo may now bo regarded as nearly 25 per cent,—then the rate must be increased so as to extort from those who do pay their taxes, not only their lLonest nnd just proportion of revenme, but clso that portion which the non-tuspaying class do not pay. Under previous laws, and befora the for- feiture business was tolerated. o taz-sale in ‘this Stats was o valuable uxiliary in the collection of taxes. On the day of sale, if the property-owner did not sppear and pay his taxes, the whole sum of the delinquent taxes of all kinds was paid over to the Cal- Jector by persous who invested money in that way. There ware no taxes left unprid; the cily, Staté, lown, and counly received all their revenue in cash. snd such thiugs ns Aflonting 'debts, unfunded debls, of serip, were wholly unnecessary. With all ils enue in hand the'Government pramptly met all its obligations. That should be the effect of oll revenue laws, Why should the cities, State, and counties bs compelled to lend eight or ten millions of revenue—for that is the practical effect of the forfeiture busi- ness—to non-taxpayers 2 Why should those who pay their taxes be compelled, to nn): an extra tax'in order to supply tho deficiency in the revenue caused by theso loans t6 the delinquents ? * The Revenne liw wonts several amend- ments, but we select this point as one of general interest to the whole State, and ask tho especial attention to it of all those who will bo members of the nest Gencral Asser bly. The penclties’on nupgid taXos to be paid for the redemption of property sold for unpaid taxes do not perhaps néed “any change, but the Legislature may so amend the law as to enable the purchaser to sequire a title to the property unless the owner shall redeem 1t in proper time. - There must he such an inducement offered’ as will® warrant men in advaneing the taxes to.the Government, and the present law offers no such inducement. The law must select whether it will have the taxes paid into the Treasury on the day of sale, or lend.tho amount of taxes for an indefinite term to the delinquent property-owner: As ‘taxes are levied to provide revenue, and not to lend to property-owners, the law in this respect should be made so as to secure the collection of the revenite. There were several bills before the last Legislature on this subject, but which were not acted on, and members should go to Springfield prepared to so remedy the existing law as to cure the cvil, which is fast assuming Inrgé proportions. NATURALIZATION FRAUDS IN LARGE CITIES. . A presentment recently made by a New York Grand Jury has brought a matter before the National Administration and Congress that merits prompt and thorough treatment. Itis in reference to the naturalization laws. ‘The presentment we refer to grew outof a considoration of certain of the fraudulent natnralization papers of 1868 in New York, which were issued to the nmmber of 28,525, and a large number of which have been kept on hand by the Tammany organization for the use of repeaters and emigrants at every recurring election. The jury condemned the issue of these papers as *‘illegal, fraud- ulent, and void,” and they recommended, in the first instance, that proper steps be taken by the National Government to recover pos- sesion of them, eancel them, and provent the issues of duplicntes. This presentment is a very pertinent reply to Mr. FEryanpo Woon's resolution for investigating Commissioner Davexpont because that gentleman refrised to allow the hired repeators to vote on such warrants ; and, if Mr. Woop wants the mat- ter further illustrated, he may find a eut in the latest number of Marper's Weekly which gives very striking portraits of the gentlo- men who would have voted on these certifi- cates if Commissiorier Davenrorr had not ¢ frightened ” them off. But the investiga- tion of these particular papers led the Grand Jury to & consideration of the law itself, which they find to be confused and defective in many respects; and to the recommenda- tion that a new and uniform law be enacted. that will serve the true purpose of natarali- zation better and the schemes of intriguing politicians not so well. Naturalization hes always beon a favarite device for securing fraudulent votes in large cities, and it will always continue to be a fruitful source of abuses unless a stricter system be adopted. The recommendations of the New York Grand Jury secem to be well considered. Among the smendmenis and changes suggested are the following: That an honorable discharge from the navy shall earry with it the same privileges of citi- zenship as an ‘honorable discharge from the army now does, which appears to be fair and proper.. That an act of Congress be passed legabzing the naturalizations made between the adoption of the Revised Stat-| utes in 1873 and the smendment to Sec. 2,169 passed in 1875. It seems that among the many defegts of the careless revision of the United States Statutes was such 2 condi- tion of the law during the period named that no white alien was entitled to be made a citizen. That the law bo so amended that no Court sitting for the purposo of natural- izing aliens may entertain the application of more than one person ata time. Thata National Bureau of Record of Naturalized Citizens bo established at Washington, and that the Courts be rfequired to send to it at the end of ench term certified copies of the nnturalizations it has made; this provision is designed to enable naturalized citizens to protect their rights in case of tho loss of their pspers or the destruction of the loeal records; it will also assist in the de- tection and punishment of those voting on forged papers. 'That the wording and terms of the naturalization papers be uniform throughout the United States, and printed or engraved on paper of the Government mark, so that counterfeiting may bo prevented. That explicit provisions as to the form and character of the court-records be mads by national law, and that the whole system bo so modified as to enable tho exposure of frauds in the past and the prevention of {rands in tho fature. It is to be hoped that Congress will give this matter attontion at an early day. There is no doubt the work of naturalization is car- riad ou in n carcless fashion under the pres- ent practices of the Courts, and that many frauds grow out of it which would not bo possible under a more thorougn system. The proposed reform is one in which all lurge cities hose a common interost. THE CHICAG) JUSTICES 0f THE PEACE. The law provides tlhat the Justices of the Peace for thiscity shall be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation "of & ma- jority of the Circuit, Superior, aud Connty Judgzes of Cook County. Tho terms of tho prasent Justices expire in- the epring, and there are nineleen positions to be filled. The Jadges will sead down their recommenda- in a-conple of months, and the candi- s for appointment aro-now, and hsve been for some time, actively at work t6 bring such influence to bear on the Judges as will incline them to a favorabie consideration of their vespective elaims. There is probably no duty devoiving npon auny one of our Judzes during his eatire term to which so serions a respousibility is attached as to this recommendation of candidates for Justices of the Pence. Tt virtually amounts te o se- lection, for the Governor almost invariably fuliows -the recommendation of the loeal Judges, and the Senate almost uniformly con! . Loth Governor aud the Senste feel that the law relieves them of :the ve- sponsibility, and the character of our Jus- tices’ Courts is practically determined by the local ry i the bigher Courts. It is important to note that the terms of the five Cirenit Judges, who constitute a ma- jority of the judicial board of selection, ex- pire next June, when their positions are to Le filled ecither by their re-clection or the choice of other men. Among the swarm of eandidates who are sepking the office of Jus: tice, many are using this fact to influence the Circuit Judges in their behalf. Nearly 2il the candidates and their, friends are en- deavoring to impress the Judges, in one way or another, thatthey have political influence, ‘which they will use in favor of the renomi- nation and re-election of the latter in case their own claims shall be recognized. In other words, Mr. A, B. seeks an appointment of Justice on the ground that he has grent strength among the “b'yes™ of the Sixth Ward, whilo Afr. D. C. solicits his'ap-"| upon to protect itsel.” They should remem." pointment becauso his political influence is located in the Saventzenth Ward; sud soon. It is hardly necessary to oy that it will be highly improper for eny Circuit Judge to permit himself to be governed by any con- sideration of . that kind in selecting his can: didates. The power of recommending the appointments was given into the hands of tlié County Judiciary for the express pur- pose of placing the selection of City Justices’ beyond the power of werd polities; and, as a rule, any well-defined influence over the “D'yes” is indicative of character, habits, and associations that rather unfit than quali- fy s man to mct as Justico of the Pence. Every Circuit Judge in Chicago should resent s a personal insult every solicitation for ap- pointment that is based upon the alleged ability of the candidate to assist in said Judge’s renomination and re-clection, and every claim of this kind ought to operate as a bar agamst the recommendation :thus solicited. The Justices' Courts of larga cities are the dispensers of the grest bulk of justico and injustice moted out to- the common wayfar- ing people. All the suils involving sums under $200; nearly all the differences be- tween lindlords and tenants; nearly all the disputes between employers and. employes ; all the quasi-criminal cases, and the prelimi- nary examinations on’charges of indictable offenses, come befora the Justices, and the disposition of thesecases in the first instance most frequently determines theresult. The troubles. and abuses growing out of bad judgment, ignorance of elementary and stat- atory law, favoritism, unscrupulous Consta- bles and packed juries in these Justices’ Conrts have furnished themes for too many local articles in the newspapers to require any enlargement now. It is scarcely too much to say that a bad Justice of the Peace is more injurious to a community like. ours than an incompetent Judge on the Supremo Bench. There'are some good Justices now’ in Chicago, and one who has reflected credit upon the position by accepting it. There can be no greater boon for Chicago than the retention of the good Justices and the riddance of those who sre notoriously unfit for the places they hold. It ought not to bo difficult to secure men .now who are fairly versed in the law, and whose characters will assure intelligent and even-handed arbitra- tion in the ipinor criminal and civil cases which constitute the great mass of judicial proceedings in this large city. But the hope of such appointments will undonbtedly be defeated if the Circuit Judges lend their ears to any promise of assistance in their own re- election, or if any of the Judzes who have a voice in the seléction are governed by any other motive whatever than an assuraneg of _competency and good character in the c:&i. dates they recommend. The very strongest claim the present Circnit Judges can make upon this community for re-election will be by the recommendation of an entirs list of first-class men for the Justices’ Courts. GERMAX SOCIALISM. The trinmph of the anti-Socialist bill in the German Parlinment marks another step in the scheme of Brsyunck to cement and strengthen the unification of Germany, which was accomplished in 1871, The fall of Sedan awoke the people of Germany from drenmns. The reprassive measures of Bis- Mance—at first direeted against & powerful foreign Church which was dictating to the State, and next agsinst & growing faction of the German peoyle, which had begun to dic- tate both to the State and society—have aroused them to realities, or, at least, have confronted the rhapsodists, idyllists, and theorists with the determination of the Gov- ernment to substitute realities for specula- tions, especially those speculations which are dangerous to the existence of the Gov- ernment. Thero are not wanting those who think it would have been better for the fame of Brsyunck and the Emperor had they died in 1871, in the full flush of victory, and in the accomplishment of German unity, so that the Government might'have passed into the hands of the Crown-Prince, who is in accord with the progress of the age and liberal in his tendencies. But Bsuanck’s mission is not yet ended. He has succeeded in placing Germany beyond the threat of any foreign foe. He has now to perfect the unification which. he has accomplished. In 1873 he said, “T have need of ten years of peace in which to form Germany.” When Germany is formed his mission will be ovér, nnd the men of old methods and traditions will hand over a completed Empire to the man who represents the sentiment of the prosent age. To this formative work it is nseless to deny that Socialism presented a startling and dan- gerous obstacle. To have ignored it would have been to leava the roots of a cancer that would soon have weakened and ultimately would have destroyed the whole body politic. It would be equally useless to deny that Brsuance’s way to the accomplishment of a purpose is the way of force, and the more dan- gerous the obstacle the more crushing is his force. In this respect he hasnever departed from the methods of the past. Weo may question the manner of his ropression,—we may inquire whether less vigorous methods ber, ihe horrible scenes in Peris when the people rose and freed themselves from the Comunune, and ended it in blood. Theaction of the German Government inre- pressing the Socialists will undoubtedly drive many of them to our ghores. ~ The advance- guard has already commenced tb arrive. The country is large . enough' to hold them, as it was large enougl' to' hold the refugces of 1848. It will welcome the former ns heartily a8 it did the latfer so long as they conform to tho spirit of . our laws and institutions. Should they at acy time, however, enter into combinations against the Government,— should they at any time in this country, where the majority of its citizens are free- bolders, conspire against the property or agoinst the rights of the individual, which are guarantced by the State,—then the people wili rise and end Socialsm, even if it be in blood. . k) THE SUIT AGAINST RUSKIN. Mr. Ruskiy was lately syed for libel in London by an srtist whose works he had criticised. The artist in question was MMr. WaisTzER, an American by birth, who went over to England many years ago. WHISTLER got a fair and.legitimate start. He was stu- dious, diligent, and conscientious. At first he poid as much attention to composition and form asto color, and was in a measure successful in the expression of all three. But he soon developed a remarkable taste in color, and a fondness for broad effects, pro- duced chiefly by means of it. His talentwas seen and appreciated by the pub- lic. / People’ began to pay him for his coloring, without much reference to the other qualities of his paintings. He becams the fashion. Fabulous prices were paid for his, paintings. He increased his speed to keep up with the demand, until, on his own testimony, it became no uncommon thing for him to knock off a piece that would fetch 150 to 200 guineas in a day and o half. The consequence of all this was, as might bave been expected, that his head was turned. He was led by the public taste instead of leading it, and learned to consider color as the chief thing in painting. He was infected with the slang and eant of & certain school in musie, and called his pieces ** Nocturnes,” or some other such stuff, making them avow- edly stadies of color alone, but giving them just form enough to entitle them to the uame of paintings in the opinion of the mob. _Mr. Rusgiv observed the. growth of Mr. Wmstzer's fame on these grounds with deep concern. As a conservator of true art among the people he feared the influence of these false ideas upon the public taste, So he took up the matter in Fors Clavigera, his paper, the aim of which has always been to put the whole trath about such subjects as it discusses in terse and vigorous language. might not in the end accomplish the sams _purpose; but it. is to ba remembered in the ease of Socialism that it was not an incipient evil, but had reached such dimensions that temporizing was franght with danger, both to society and to the Government. It had alrendy inspired its assassins to strike at him, and twice within a short time they lad sought the life of the Emperor. . Its ranks had been so recruited, owing to the depress- ing influences of thethard times, that in the recent Parliameniary elections it polled a million of votes, and almost swept the City of Berlin. In the ordinary Trades-Unions of Germany there is no 'danger; but Social- ism had developed .and fostered the growth of * co-operative societies which aimed to destroy the rights of property. Under the garh of science and even of rehg- jon it threatened: individual rights, Its literature was becoming enormous. It had fifty periodical publications,—twelve of them dailies, having an aggregate circulation of nearly 150,000 copies, which is very large considexing the grade of intelligence of their readers. Every one of "these which in any way threatened the Government—and there were many of them whose influence was sub- versive of law and order—has been sup- pressed. It may be that many of them, if they had been left to themselves, wonld have died; but Bisyarck never waits for things to die. Ho endsthem at once, The time had come for him to strike, for the evidence was positive that Socialism was in lengue against the Government to destroy it. But Social- ism in Germany, like Socialism everywhere else, is not only an enemy of government but of "society. Government protects society, aud to strike at society it must first strike at the Government. Those who complain of Bismarck's severity in protecting the Govern- ment should consider the more terrible re- sults that wonld happen were society called Ho remarked upon some of Mr. WHISTLER'S paintings: * Sir Covrrs Lrvpsay ought not to have admitted works into the. gallery in which the ill-educated conceit of the artist so menrly epproached the aspect of willful imposture. Ihave seen and heard much of cockney impudence before now, but never expected to hear a coxcomb ask 200 guineas forflinginga potof peint in the public'sface.” This langnnge not unnaturally had an immediate effect upon the sale of Ar. WmsTLEr's paintings. It knocked the bot- tom out of the market for Nocturnes, so to speak. For, whatever may be thought of Mr. Russmv’s eccentricities, the English people are persuaded that he is thoroughly honest and competent to discuss art matters. He has the two necessary qualifications of a good critic;” and® hio'has these in such an endinent degree that heis something more than an ordinary critic. He has an author- ty in English art circles such as no man ever possessed befora him, and probsbly mno man will ever possess again. In this case of JMr. WaistnEr's, the person who appears to have most serionsly dis- puted the candid judgment of AMr. Rusery was the artist himself. He conld not submit to it becanse it threatened to take away his bread and butter. So JMr. WmsTLER insti- tuted s suit for libel against Mr. Ruskrx, The case was ably tried on both sides; witnesses were found to testify thal Wmsr- LER was o great artist, and that, in the strict senso of the word, he was no artist at all ; eloguent counsel addressed the jury, and the result was a verdict of one farthing damages, without costs, The ouly party to gain by the suit, therefore, is the large body of law- yers and court officials concerned in it. We have reported this case at some length, both becnuse it is interesting in it- self, and because it is valuable as marking the limits of true criticism. Nobody, we presume, will justify Mr. Rusriy in calling Mr. WersTLER & * coxcomb " and * an impu- dent cockney,” merely because that unfortu. nnto artist had failed to paint well. On the other hand, everybody will applaud thestern language of the critic so far asittends to upliold tho cause of true art against charla- tanism or ignorance. The difference marks the point at which criticism of artists ceases to be legitimate. So long as criticism is confined to works, it cannot be too severe, provided it be honest. Severe eriticism never kopt the public in ignorance of a work of true merit, while injudicious praise has spoiled the making of many a good artist, and robbed the world of masterpieces. But when eriticism passes beyond the works of an artist and attacks his person.or motives it censes to be criticisin ip the trne sense of that word. - The liberty of the critic in that case touches upon tho liberty of a person as important as himself,—that is, the’ artist. Every man whe exhibits his work to the public invites the expression of opin- ion about it in the very act; but no man nsks or desires the ‘public press to judge of his motives or character without particalar reason. Mr. RuskIN com- mitted & real offense against good manuers and public orals when he called WinsTLer * an impudent cockney ” and ** a coxcomb.” If the latter had confined his case to the libel contaired in these words he would no doubt have obtained damages, for it is sus- ceptible of proof that WeisTLER is neither “ coxcomb ' nor a * cockney.” It wonld, however, have been manifestly ridiculous for a man of sense to endeavor to clear him- self of cither of these imputations before jury. Inthis country, some men aifronted in this manner would have known how to put the eritic right withont secking a court of Jaw. It might, under some circum- stances, seem better to forego the exquisite pleasure of calling a man hard names, if that pleasure were likely to be attended with the risk of personal violence. If Mr. WaIstLER Dbad put s nocturne in black and blue over JMr. Ruskiy's eye he would have treated him no worse than he deserved, and be might ai the same time have taught o valuable lesson to a whole generstion of critics, who seem in much need of learning that there is & wide difference between personal sbuse und fair criticism of-works of art. ‘And here comes Prof. HuGmes to the front, w bo thinks it possible that we shall one day be able “to’ tap the brain of its thought' by means of the microphone! He holds, it is said, that all thought is accompanied- by an uncon: scious action of the articulating organs, and that therefore, it may come to pass that by a highly sensitive microphone the articulate vi-- brations of the head will be made audible. The Popular Science Monthly notes this. speculation of Prof. Hucnes, and -makes this comment: 01 course the theory that unconscious articu- lation always accompanies thought {s purely hypothetical, but in these times it is best not to pronounce anything impossible unless it clearly implies a contradiction fn terms—an absurdity.” We should say _decidedly, ‘tbest mot” in view of all the recent discoveries. 1f this astonishing development of inventions con- tinues in the course already fndicated, there will soon be no security for our thoughts, not even in the cells of our own brains. We shall no longer be able to lock up our secret thouzhts therein, nor seclude them in apy way from a microphonic interviewer bent on reporting our “true inwardness.” Hypocrisy and untruth- fuluess may well wince at the fature orospect, which is to make the business ot deceit and lying a trifle more difficult than et present. It is humane to prepare this class for this emer- zeney. We have no doubt they will be equal to it, and school themselves to such a degree of dishonesty that they won’t even think the truth. As for us honest people, we hcve mot much to fear from this new mechanical inquisition; but still there is a sort of shrinking from the **tapping ”’ process that may sooner or later microphine our mind’s domain and steal the few little sacred scerets which we have care- fully inclosed therein, We would still prefer to hold our own watch and ward at the gates of this retreat into which occasionally we retire.—~ our sanctuaries of remembrances, of hopes and disappointments, of pride and humility, of ambitions and defeats, of triumph and of weak- ness, where' the world with its selfichness and sinister judgments can never enter without our leave. We would still be, as of old, chary of our inmost thoughts, and still be inclined to hide them from our most cherished friend, if we fancied he was making discoveries in- saying « A penny for your thoughts.” ———— To the Editor of The Tribune. AunoRra, 1L, Dec. 13.—About tnree weeks 170 1 read an editorial arti Tns Trinuse stating that Dr. K. D'UNGER, of Minneapolis, who claims 1o have discovered a’ cure for drankenness,” had extabiished himself in Chicago. Can you stgte what success he has met with? In your candid opinion, ix the medicineihe prescribes a epecific for what he calls **dipromania,” or thirst for lquor? Admitting that it helps 2 ‘man afters spree or debanch, s the etfect permanent? Will not the crowning desire for whizky revisit him in the course of a fortnizht or a month. and wili not the 1ast end of that man be worsc than the tirst? Most people and many good doctors believe that drunk- cnmess is o vice, and can be—and can only be— cured by will-power and moral iniluence, Others taink that incbriation can be eradicated from the lana by political machinery, such as electing the advocates of teetotalism to 20od-paying offices and setting the police to watching the satoons and drug-stores, v as to prevent tiem from selling or giving away liquor In any form as ** medicine ** for_colic. stomach-ache,” cramps. tonth-ache, colds, dampe. chills, olues, or any other ailment. What have you tv 83v on any of ihese points. and especially In regard to what Dr. D'UNGER is effect- ing with his new cure? 1 Angwering the last points firs UNE has exceedingly weak faith in the efficacy of political machinery, policemen, and “fat offices ™ as remedigl agencies against the desire for strong drink. It knows of no drunkards that have been even temporarily cared by those means. Politics are 'good in their place, ‘but they are not a reliable specific, for **dipsomania,” no matter how admin- fstered, or how lucrarive the oflices may be. As to will-power and moral agencies, THE TRIB- UNE has great faith in them, and can point to tens of thousauds of men who have been res- cued from the clutches of the Tyrant, Aleohol by those means of salvation. A majority of men who drink can break off from liquor it they try hard enough and put forth sufficient resolu- tion. The longer they keep whisky out of their mouths the easler it isto resist the tempter. Still they are always in danger, more or less, of a relapse,—of falling before the basilisk’s ere or, the fumes of its breath. Moral and religious influences can do much in strengthening their resolation.to Keep.out of-the:-way -of tempta-; tion, to resist the ‘seductions-of thé cup, and to avoid looking on the wine when it is red,— “when it stingeth like an adder and biteth like a serpent.” For all men who have once acquir- ed a taste for liquor the price of sobriety is eter- nal vigilance—unless some medicine is found to eradicate the taste or thirst for aleobolic stiu- lants. Now this 1 precisely what Dr. D’UNGER pro- fesses to have discovered. His theory, in brief, is, that drankenness isa disease,or an [oflamma- tionof the semsorial-nerve cells of the brain. He claims that cinchota taken as he prepares and prescribes it removes this alcoholic inflam- mation, cures the diseased mnerve-cells, and re- stores the man to his normal condition, and entirely and permaneutly removes the craving or desire for whisky. The person treated by this medicine is made to feel perfectly free ot desire for liquor. He can be where itls drank, and will notwantto partake of it. By the slightest effort of the will he can refrain from touching, tasting, or handling-it. He cun take it in his mouth and pot desire to swallow it. 1In short, he becomes indifferent to it. 1f the longing or thirst for liquor is caused by an inflamed - cundition of the' sensorial-nerve centres of the brain,—being the resulz of alco- holic indulzence,—whatever drug will remove that inflammation must effect a cure. When the cause is removed, the effect ceases. Dr. D’U~GER contends that pure red cinchona bark properly administered will infallibly remove the alcoholic inflammation, aund, by comsequence, cure the dipsomania. And the cinchona, being also a powerful. tooic, builds up the shattered nerves, restores the stomach to its proper con- dition, and in a short time makes s well man of the worsi inebriate. So many cases of actual cures have been brouzht to our attention, both Dbefore the Doctor came to this city and since, that we are not at liberty to doubt the entire eflicacy of the prescription. We bave heard of no backsliders. The cures all seem to be perma- nent. Some of them have already stood the test of time and temptation for six to eizht months, and exhibit no symptoms of s relapse into aleoholie influence. Dr. D'UNGER was bred in the old or allo- pathic school of medicine, and we think the practitioners of that scheol fn this city §hould give serious attention to the claim he makes. e strongly desires bis medical brethren to test the valuc of his prescription. He wants them to send him the worst cases of dipsomania within the range of their practice, and watch the effect. Some of the physicians have already done this, with the'most gratifying and ston- ishing results. Wecan learn of np instance in which a complete and speedy cure has not been cffected. The maiter has gone far enouch al- ready to warrant the medical fraternity pivioe the new theory and new cure of drunkepness a searching investiration. Itis difficutlt to con- ceive of amything more important to the com- munity than a specific for the disease of alcohol- ism. ——— ‘When the Milwankee Daily Murphey attempts to show the strength of itsidol and owner - for the United States Senate, by giving the number of imaginary votes for each candidate, why doesn’t it figure out its man shead. aslong 1s it has full control of the Legistative tables? In this way It cao control the election now much easjer than it can manage the Republican cau- cus next Jenuary. —_——— The Rev. J. L. DupLey, formerls an ex-Con- grezational preacher of Milwaukee, is running what the Herald calls *‘a sacred circus * at Music Hall, Boston. Accordine to the Herald, itis not like BArNUM'S, *‘the greatest. moral show on earth,™ but, on the contrary, of doubt- ful utility in turning sinners from the error of their ways. " —— The New York reporters who have been called upon to write columns about it are just now disputing whether it is best to say ** The remigins of the late A. T. STEWART remain a mystery,” or * The mystery surronnding the remains of the Iate Mr. STEWART remains unexplained,” or “ The detectives that were detailed to discover the larceny of the remains of the late Mr. Srzy. ART remain silepty and it remains to be seeq whether they have discovered s clew.” The philological controvatsy is still progressing, ad the outcome remains a secret. B ———— The Cleveland dailies are having a fearfy quarrel on the subject of vlagiarism: tge allegations of -each appear. t0 Le backed up by powerful proofs. _“That is what makes tng case’so painful,” feelingly remarks a gympg. thetic contemporary. The Herald charges the Leader with capturing an editorial from tye Cincinuati Times, which is a dreadfal acenss: tion. The Leader mildly retorts by charging that the Herald sclssored the North dmenggy Heviewin search of brains for the editoriy pages. The contention has prozressed to the point where the bellizerents relate aneadozes about one another. The Leader tells this oge; A very funny story has been told us b man formerly from \yuun';smma nbonllb:y;.lqn&;'g;; editor of the Heratd, Mr. E. V. SuaLLEY, which ns give. The gentleman sssured ug thatthe occnmn:: as-described, actually took place: When My, §. Iived jo Yonngstown, about a dozen years ago, was a reporter on 8 local paper. He was fond of displaying his massive forchead. of which he woe very proud. Oue day he was seen standine pefore 2 Jooking-glass admirins the aforegaid forehea, stroking it very afectionately, and he wg over Beard eoliloguizing a¢ follows: ** 3y Gop! wht an intellect is contatned in that brow!" : ‘We do not know why these journals shoulq go on ip this way, bat they do. 1 —— CoNKLING's fll-mannered, boorish behavior while Senator BLAINE was delivering his brill fant speech. continues to excite comment In Congress. One correspondent observes: Senator CoNKLING's conduct in not ' ehightest attention 10 the BLaINE debnxep;g‘:e’rfl: has been the town talk to-dav. Tle assumed to by 50 full of work that he had no time to laok up from his writing, when the attention of every one of the thousands Dresent was riveted on tic debaters Strangely enough, t0-day CoSKLING has 1ot been bordened with work. From apoearances, he hag given most of s time to the entertuinment of friends who dropped in. The tremendoes strain of Dustness which pressed him yesterday has let ug. —e " A Washington dispatch to the Cincinnati Commercial says: In their conversation to-day. the Sa are almost ananimous in cgn-nnn; 'i.lf::]:;mr:’: taking a hand in the DLAINE debate. Tle was badly used up. and he is severely cnticlsed for ea anything. It it generally conceded among Sontn: ernery that they have no match for Eouusns on the floor, and the best policy 1# to Jet that individ- ual alone. He has nsed up one after another af those who have attempted to crapple with him, and 1t is observed that they mever make s sccond trial. The Democratic members of the louse are unanimous in declaring that the scctional debata shall not be transferred to that floor. ‘They oro pose to keep it ouf, if tney have to quarantize Bgainst it. —— As to BLATNE’S spcech, the New York Tribuns says that ‘* No honest American can afford to take fssue with the principles or the policy em- bodied in this aadress. If Mr. BLAINE 13 tobe answerad, the reply must be to prove that the facts assumed by him bave no existence.” —— In that shooting affray at Kenosha last week, atready recorded, the sympathy of the com- wunity generally where the parties are well known is said to be entirely with Mr. Bax. the man enot. The wounded man is dolng well, and his would-be murderer is in jail. ———— Senator LAMAR has undertaken a big job. He soid the other day in his place in the Senate that before the debate ended he would show that no negro vote bas ‘been suvpressed in the South. He ought’to have a fair chance to prove that if he can. —————— It was the Indianapolis Journal, and not the Seniinel, that ouzht to have had credit for the article on Gov. OGLESBY, quoted in yesterday's issue. The Sentine fsn’t praisiog Republicans - much, if it knows itself. ——— Mrs. MARY A. LIVERMORE i8 advertised to make a temperance speech in Boston this even- ing, from tle same platform with the celebrated Rev. Josera COOR. ————— LorxE refused to interfere the other day and keep a fellow from being hung. Hasnt tead what’s-his-name’s book against capital punish- ment. THCHMAN objeéfs'to the investization pro- posed by Mr. BLATNE on account of ** the brev- ity of the session.” Too thin, Mr. "THURMAN. ety Pl 20 il The remaios of the late A. T. STEwWART have not been reported found for three days. ~Sever- al detectives not heard from. PERSONALS. Senator Bruce (colored) is for Grant in 1880. Lorno bas not yet been shot at. But then e is no King. The Princess Lonise carries a cane, and now all the Canadian girls want to et a stick. John W. Garrett has been elected Presi- dent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad twenty-one, consecutive times. Spurgeon has just refused a gift of $25,000 from his congreeation. Congregations on talsside of the water are cautioned against trylnga sim- ilar experiment. A colored man named George Draper, of Wilmington, Del., convicted of murder, w3’ sentenced to pay a fine of S1,000, stand oae hour in the pillory, receive sixty lashes, and be Impris- oned for life. Dion Boncicault iz advised by the Albany Jaurnal to drématize Dr. Talmage's sermons. It might do: but the sermons would first have to be done in French and then translated back agais.— _ Bufalo Express. * : ‘A clergyman in Washington County, Kentneky, reads the marriage service with such power that asuscentible reporter siys the sacred tie scemed to be **graven with- the pen of kron grain and laid in flinty rock.” Senator Chaffee, of Colorado, owns half 8 silver-mine. out of which $3,000 is taken daily. 1lis necessities will not compel him to- vote to in§ crease his salary, nor to play into the hands of toa lobby for the purpose of oiling his itching palma. Kenrney don't say as much about the “twhite plume of Navarre™ s he did, but on bis return to San Francisco he told his friends that the next time Butler runs for Governor in Jassschu- setts he will come on and **bury him so deep that be will never agaig show his head upon the politi- cal arena. " Gen. Fremont is making an excesdingly eood Governor of Arizoma Territory. Hekerps® aloof from political ininences nndattends carefally to bustness, Mry. Fremont is taking a deep futer- est In the canse of popuisr education. and often visits the public schoois and entertains the pupils with accounts of her travels in the Old World. Miss Jones writos such- vigorons articles for the Portland Press that the hiterary men of New York thought her a man, and one day sbe was sor- prised to receive a note addressed to -*Atlanta.” and beginning **My dear si 1t wosacardof invitation to the Century Clubof New York, 3nd bore the sisnatarce of Bayard Taylor, E. C. Sted- man, R. IL Stoddard, and A. R McDonoogh. Victor Fngo's recent 1llness is said to have been caused by over-excitement in conacct1op witd the recent Literary Congress in Paris. The poet spoke long and fervently on some subject that in terested him exceedincly, ana when, on the fakinZ of the vote. his views wers rejected, his indizna- tiop and excitement, joned to the hear of the weather, bronght op an attack of cerebral conges= tion. He has now fully recovered. - 1t is reported that Senator Sharon is.about to introduce nie dsughter Rosa te ‘Washington eoclety tis wivter, snd euciety folks 2 ‘the Capital are al) agoz about it, as she i a prospective leiress of ‘*great espectd- tions.™ Miss Rosa's debnt in San Francisco. nof lonzago, was signaled by one of the mostsnmp- tuons entertainments ever given on this cantinest, the multitude of guests being Lrought toand from the city to Sharon’s country-seat (Kalston's old palace) by trains of chartered cars. p The Chiengo lady of fashion may be inter- ested in knowing that a kid glove with a lese num- ber of buttons than twenty-six is not quite the style. The Princess of Wales has jgyt beep order- inza Jot.of that kind from Pails. embroidered in gold and. silver, with monograms and crests. Swedish kid gloves were formerly celebratea for thelr. delicate odor, ddrived from a scent called Tander's water. ‘The Fiench glovemakers have diccovered o perfome whicn s very similar, aad- with it the I1d i3 now séented. l