208 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. VII., No. 161 



unprotected against only 183. or 8.9 per cent. Of 

 the former number, 658 are still in custody at the 

 reformatory, 109 were released and sent out of 

 the state, 11 were absolutely released as satisfac- 

 tory without any parole, and 735 were released 

 after parole. 



3Ir. Brock way, in another set of tables, esti- 

 mates that 81.2 per cent of the whole number 

 paroled are reformed, and that only 16.3 per cent 

 returned to criminal practices or contact. This is 

 a wonderful showing, and betokens a departure 

 in prison theory and practice that should before 

 long become general. Under this system the 

 state does not lock its offenders up for a certain 

 time, and then take its chances with them ; but 

 it employs the months of confinement in guard- 

 ing itself against the future. On the consequent 

 advantages to the criminal and to society, not a 

 word need be wasted. An interesting and valuable 

 appendix to the present report is a series of charts, 

 prepared by Mr. Brock way, to show graphically 

 the fluctuations in the course and progress toward 

 release, of one thousand prisoners under the re- 

 formatory system. They show some curious cases 

 of what may be called 'reversals to type,' and are 

 valuable as psychological and ethical studies. The 

 average population of the institution in 1885 was 

 647 ; the average period of detention of the present 

 inmates was 16.9 months ; and the average deten- 

 tion before parole, and of the whole number pa- 

 roled to date, was 20.7 months. 



The committee of the national academy, to 

 which was referred the question of a new naval 

 observatory, as mentioned in our last week's issue, 

 was called upon by the secretary of the navy for 

 an opinion on two other questions of consider- 

 able interest to astronomers : viz., the expediency 

 of making the change in the beginning of the 

 astronomical day from midnight to noon, as rec- 

 ommended by the meridian conference ; and as 

 to the advisability of asking congress to make an 

 ap p ro priation for the observation of the total solar 

 eclipse of Aug. 28-29. In regard to the astro- 

 nomical day, the committee recommends that the 

 change should be made as soon as sufficient concert 

 of action can be secured among the leading as- 

 tronomers and astronomical establishments of the 

 civilized world, — 'in 1890 if possible; if not, in 

 1900.' This conclusion is reached, in view of the 

 general consensus of the astronomers of this coun- 



try in favor of the change, and the adhesion to the 

 same view of so important an institution as the 

 Royal observatory of England. 



In regard to the observation of the eclipse, the 

 committee is not in favor of calling upon congress 

 for an appropriation, on the ground, mainly, that 

 there would not probably be sufficient time to 

 make such preparation of instruments and ob- 

 servers as to insure results commensurate with the 

 magnitude of the undertaking. The report says, 

 " In addition to the observation of the sun itself, 

 and the luminous phenomena attending it, it is 

 desirable to obtain photographic maps of all the 

 surrounding region, to the distance of at least ten 

 or fifteen degrees from the sun, for the purpose of 

 finally setting at rest the still mooted question of 

 an intra-mercurial planet. It is true that the as- 

 tronomical world is at present disposed generally 

 to discredit the existence of such a body ; yet the 

 evidence on the subject, up to this time, is mainly 

 negative, as it must always continue to be, so long 

 as it depends upon direct vision. In a photo- 

 graphic map taken during total eclipse of the sun, 

 of the whole region within which such a planet 

 must necessarily be confined, the object, if present, 

 must present itself, and could riot fail to be recog- 

 nized.'" 



Railway companies have become so impor- 

 tant a part of our industrial organization, and 

 the power they wield is so great, that the right 

 adjustment of their relations to individuals and 

 to the public at large is imperatively necessary. 

 Troubles are constantly arising between the com- 

 panies themselves, between the companies and 

 shippers, and betw T een the companies and their 

 employees, leading oftentimes to a great disturb- 

 ance of the national industry. A railroad 'war" 

 is raging at this very moment among the trans- 

 continental lines at the west ; and it is only a 

 short time since a dispute between corporations 

 and their workmen almost paralyzed the business 

 of Galveston. How such disputes can best be 

 settled, — whether by state regulation, by arbi- 

 tration, or by leaving the evil to work its own 

 cure, — is the question before us deserving notice. 

 We would call attention to a certain distinction 

 which prevails in the matter, and which is liable 

 to be insufficiently attended to. The state may 

 interfere with the making and execution of con- 

 tracts for either of two purposes, — for the sake 

 of the contracting parties or of one of them, or 



