When they were convicted they were one and all deprived of their commissions in the British army.  While they were only imprisoned for a short time, and were not harshly treated in any sense, the fact of being dismissed from the army was a very serious thing for them.

A commission in the army means the authority by which the officer holds his rank of Captain or Colonel—­or whatever it may be—­and is naturally valued very highly by the holder.

In England, especially, the highest class of young men go into the army as officers, and to leave the army without wishing to, to have one’s commission taken away from one, is a great disgrace.  An officer who leaves the army at his own wish has all other careers open to him, but one who is dismissed from the service is disgraced and cannot easily find fresh employment, and moreover loses all the income and standing that being an officer in the army had given him.

This is the position of the officers who led the Transvaal raid; they have been disgraced and deprived of their profession.

If, indeed, they are innocent, it is only right that their commissions should be restored to them.

* * * * *

The Tariff Conference has done its work very rapidly.

After less than two weeks of discussion, this committee has prepared its report and given it to Congress.

It was presented to the House on the 20th of July, and after a debate of two hours it was adopted by a vote of 185 to 115.

The Conference had done its work so well, and had arranged the changes in the bill in such a manner, that the House made little objection to them.

The measure now goes to the Senate, where it has to be readopted; but, as the changes made by the Conference were so very slight, no doubt is felt that it will be passed without delay.

Unless something very unforeseen occurs, it will be in the hands of the President before the week is out, and the Dingley Bill will then become a law.

There is general rejoicing that the long and tedious discussion is over, and that Congress will be able to adjourn before many days have passed.

* * * * *

An interesting story comes from Paris about the new X-rays.

According to the account which reaches us, an apparatus has been prepared by which the Custom House officers can examine the baggage and ascertain whether there are any dutiable articles concealed in it, without going through all the trouble of unpacking and searching.

It is said that cigars can be easily counted by this new process, which promises to be a great success.

The method of using it is very simple.

The instrument is mounted on a large table; one of the Custom House officers takes the fluoroscope and stands at the end of the table.  Two others seize the baggage, and piece by piece hold it in front of the rays for examination.