The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-24
SATURDAY, OCTOBER "a, 1868.
The Lesal Condition of the Repub-
hcan Party.

The Lesal Condition OF the hePuD-
llcan Party.
THR correspondence published this morning
between Attorney General Brewster, City So
licitor Lynd, and Sheriff Lyle will attract
general attention, and the steps which are
about being taken to check the Sheriff in his
Illegal action will merit the hearty commenda-
tion of the public. The experience of the past
few weeks has enabled the people to judge oil
what means talk and what means work, SO far
ss the leaders of our party are concerned; and
when 1t is remembered that the only practical
step towards saving the Republican party
from fraud was made by the Attorney y-General
and his associates, they will be glad to see
that Mr.. Brewster is moving in the matter. The
publio have confidence that when he is in charge
neither stupidity nor corruption will enter the
case. 1t is, therefore, with great qualification
that IL Is seen that he is watching the Sheriff,
and preparing to hold him to strict respon-
sibility for all his actions. The tone adopted
by MIR. Lyle is about fifty degrees lower than
that which he assumed two weeks ago. He
sees that he is in great danger; that his
sureties are liable and likely to suffer; and
that 1t Is decidedly unpleasant thing to be
brought before the Supreme Court on quo
soarranto, writ exceedingly summary in its
nature, and which, when moved for by the
Attorney General, means a summary settle
ment of his alleged rights. The city need,
therefore, fear nothing further from Mr..
Lyle; and the only question is in regard to the
propriety Of prosecuting that person for past
ofYenses.
The question of the legality OF the natu-
ralisation papers issued by the Supreme Court
;s one which should be settled, and we are
happy to know that the Attorney. General will
proceed to Pittsburg during the ensuing week
and in person give his attention to this ques-
tion. In comparison with the settlement Of
that question the contest of individuals sinks
into utter insignifcance, as the one affects
only the pockets of few-the other the safety
OF an entire State.
For the first time in the history of Philadel-
phis has q systsmatzsd effort been made at
the last election to govern our city by the i'm
portation of rufians from New York and Balti-
more, and the regular adoption of plan of
repeating" at different polls. This is, we
say, the first time that such thing has been
attempted on a scale to be worthy of attention.
The issue is now presented for the people of
Philadelphia to settle whether they shall
always in the future submit to importation,
and see our city franchise turned into farce,
or whether, by series of vigorous prosecu-
Hons both of the rascals at home and by requi-
sitions from the Governor for the rascals from
abroad, strike terror among them and deter
ho1f frnp Ralfi
more and like number from New York were
had on requisition and prosecuted with spirit
and ability the effect on this city would last for
the next ten years. II q hundred of the Gre
peaters' of our own city were thus treated, it
would for lifetime deter them in the future.
Shall this be done Will it be done If the
funds which our citizens are being asked to
give literally are placed in the hands of
certain "ring," we say without hest
tation that not man of these rufians aoW ever
be convicted. 1t must be given into the hands
OF men who are above reproach, and who are
not the intimates Of the Fourth ward gaug.
II must be remembered that, after November
], Furman Sheppard, Esq, Democrat, will
be District Attorney; and il We would have any
of the roughs prosecuted some one must act
whose power is superior to that officers. 1t is
we'll to remember, also, that the Attor-
ney-Genepal is the ranking District
Attorney of the State, and can
enter the Quarter Sessions and pass bills
directly over the head of the District Attorney
of the county; 80 that the Republican party
has still within its control an Office which will
prevent an unlawful influence being used by
the District Attorney, even if he was so in
clined; but from what we know of Mr.. Shep-
pard we do not think he is. Let us then have
the frauds prosecuted with vigor, and let us
by an example deter wrong-dOers in the future
and save our city from fate which it is fear.
full to contemplate.