The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-13
REFORM IN BALTIMORE.

From the Ne'o York Courier and EnquirerI
The present Reform movement in Baltimore has
an interest for all American cities, for all are more
or less, subject to similar evils, and exposed to sim
liar dangers. 1t is now generally conceded fact
that the republican form of government is to fail
anywhere it will be as applied to municipal admin
istration. The vital principle of republicansm is
public virtue;-does that virtue exist, in sufficient
measure in our great cities, to save from degene-
racy and destruction? Jefferson call ed cities sores
upon the body polite This is a misnomer They
are rather the ganglions of the social system-en-
Engagements, where good agencies and bad agencies
are particularly concentrated; and the question
whether they are curses or blessings depends upon
the predominance of the or the other of these.
There is continued struggle, and, though we be-
lleve that on the whole the good influences have
been more potent than the bad in all our cities vet
In many OF them this superiority is becoming less
ana less marked from year to year; and as to Bal
umore particularly it has been doubted whether
the bad elements had not at last got complete and
permanent mastery. 1t is certain that the condi-
ton OF that city has been growing and worse
until finally something like convusive effort is
made for relief
The magnitude of the meeting which has taken
place in Monument Square, and the feeling which
pervaded it, denoted crisis 1t fully justified the
language OF one of the preambles to the resolutions
mat there can be no question that apprehension
hangs like pail upon the minds of large number
OF our people," 1t had been given out that this
was political movement in disguise but the fact
that it was conducted by influential men of both
the great parties without distinction and that the
masses congregated were alike promiscuous in
their political atfnities, showed very clearly that
the matter at stake infinitely more of social
than political nature. The mercantile class fig
ured largely in the demonstration, as will always
be the case when there is serious foreboding of dis
organization and anarchy, for that is the class
which has the most property at stake and whose
interests are quickest to suffer from any social dis
turbance.
Though the meeting evinced great spirit and de.
termination, its discretion was very commendabe.
No extreme measures were proposed, and the main
remedy advocated was the publication and protec-
ton of the ballot box and the selection of true men,
without regard to the dictaton of parties for the
discharge of public trusts. If these two great ends
could be accomplished, it was believed that good
order and security would infallibly return. Not
word was uttered, not hint ventured upon in IA
vor of a Vigilance Committee. There was no
thought of anything but legitimate action, within
the pale of law.
We shall watch the further progress of this Re-
form movement with close attention. 1t will have
great difficulties to overcome. In no American
city are party passions strong as in Baltimore.
And in no city, not even our own, has the connec-
ton between party managers and professional bull
hes been so intimate. 1t is combination which
cannot be broken down without prodigious effort.
The primary meetings. where all political nomna-
toms are made, are completely ruled by clubs, re-
Jolcing in such names as the 'Plug Uglies," the
"Blood Tubs" the Grip Raps," 'Back Snakes.
and "Tigers," and the polls on election day briste
with pistols, bilies, knives and slungshots in the
hands of these subsidized ruffans