The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-14
From the Philadelphia Euening Journal. J
POI ITJrAI MISDT7I Il IN OUTFITS,


The politicians have had the rule of the country
long enough; it is time the people, who have been
almost entirely ignored in the affairs of State,
should have something to say. Especially is this
remark applicable to city governments. We
hazard little in saying, that municipal govern
ments are the least responsible, and the worst on
the face of the earth. Life and property are safer
in large cities under the worst despotsms, than
under the republican institutions of this socalled
free and enlightened country. This has been ow-
ing to the despotism of party. If man is to be
elected police officer, or tax-gatherer, he must be
sound upon political questions of which he knows
nothing, and in regard to which, if he is capable of
forming an intelligent opinion of them-a matter
of great doubt-he has the strongest inducement to
decide according to the dctum of the dominant par
ty. To such pass have things come in sister
ciy-one of the Oldest in the country, and famed
for its general morality and the culture and refine
ment Of its socety-that its peaceable and orderly
citizens have been obliged to rise en- aasse to pro-
tect themselves from the rowdyism which threat
ened destruction to the very fabric of social order
In other cities the condition of things is hardly less
deplorable The laws imperfectly executed;
crime goes UNPUBLISHED, especially where the crim-
nal is rich or has political Influence extravaganza
in the administration of public affairs is the order
of the day, and speculation the part of city Off
'ials has become so common as to excite no aston
ishmcnt, and to increase to fearful degree the
scramble for office. 1t has been so generally re-
marked that person holding a city Office the sal
airy of which is not large, grows rich, that no
wonder a very prevalent anxiety is manifest
ed to know by experience the secret of such
wealth.
So also, the corruption of large cities is gradual
~ widening in the circle of its influence and con-
Eliminating the simplicity and virtue of the coun-
try. Especially this true in politics. The strength
OF demagogues lies in the city, and it is by the ia
cities for bribery and corrupt appliances which
its dense and dssipated population gives them
that they are able to ride into power and control
the Legislation of States and of the country
Something must be done to remedy the evil or
before are aware oft, we shall drift onward to
anarchy ndrepubIican institutions will be brought
into contempt in the eyes of the civilized world
They will exist only in name the outward form,
perhaps preserved but the inward life and the vital
spirit gone forever and we shall relapse into the
worst OF all despotsm-that Of party without prin
ciples and of party leaders, who become such by
venal arts and the practice of corruption.
1t is easier however, to the evil than to pro-
vide or even to suggest the remedy. Something
may indeed be done bv fostering those influences
and institutions whose tendency is to elevate the
character of the community; but nothing will be
done efectuay until the root of the evil is reached
its pregnant removed. The whole system
of political nominations for city government must
be abandoned. We know this is more easily said
than done, but until respectable men of all parties
are willing to unite to the administration of
municipal affairs from the hands of mere partizans
and to elect men to Office not for their opinions
or rather Professionalism mooted questions of
national policy but for their reputation for homes
ty and capacity, they must expect to see the evil
complained of, continue and increase. As it is now
few worthless and unprincped wire-workers get
the control of the primary meetings. pack the con-
ventons, and thus distribute among themselves the
nominations for Office. 1t would be easy enough to
devise the mode by which good nominations, equit-
ably distributed, could be made if the will was not
wanting. To do this however, would require the
surrender of party predictions and the sacrifice
of party feeling, on the altar of the public good
Are the quiet orderly respectable citizens of our
cities possessed of sufficient patriotism and regard
for the welfare of their several communities and of
the country, to make this sacrifice not, the in
creang jeopardy of the interests of society and of
their property and lives must, in time bring
them to their senses-when, perhaps, their repent
ance will come too late