The national Republican., 1869-06-16
TIE DIRTY POOL OF POLITICS.

The arrest of William Yarley alias "Rcddy,
the Blacksmith" In New York city, for rob-
bing Mr.. Lawrence Graham, of Hudson
City, New Jersey, has revealed many facts
not usually developed from such "a source,
and an examination OF the character of the
accused showed that this villain had been
professional ward politician, and a controll-
Ing power in politics.
lie was, after preliminary hearing, held
TO bail, and through the connlvanco of po-
litlcal friends, left the city, forfelting his
ball. The notorious character Of Reddy,
his criminal life, in connection with his po-
litlcal history, has justly called down the
censure Of the New York press upon the
looseness prevailing in political matters for
many years past, and the lack OF attention
from citizens who alone can stem this moral
tide of corruption in party organizations.
1t appears that Reddy is the representative
of class by far too numerous In our large
cities, men who would not have an existence
were 1t not for the neglect Of better citizens,
and they aim to control ward meetings and
manufacture candidates to order. 1t ap-
pears that 1t was never intended he should
be tried, and consequently Narley alias
Reddy Is suffered to escape.
II will not be difficult for our citizens to
understand the application TO be made OF
this case. This bad man found 1t profitable
to do by dishonesty what honesty alone
could possibly do-preserye the purity OF the
ballot-box. 1t was his business to make
politicians, to secure nominations and engi-
neer votes on election day. What COM
nentary on our republican Institutions We
complain day and night Of the deterioration
of the elective franchise, and yet do nothing
to prevent it. Reddy, as the facts show, is
not only ruiilan, but an expert in putting
up "big jobs" and Is professional thief.
The Albany EVcHhig Journal, published at
the capital of the State of New York, has
reason to know that corruption rcigns SUI
preme in the legislative body of that State.
Abiding to the escape Of Rcddy, its COM
ments express much that should be carefully
considered, and 1t should have that consld-
Grafton, too, which leads to rcformatory re-
suits. 1t says
TThe danger to republican Institutions is
found lust here Onioe-holders depend largely
on the favor Of the most depTaved, In large
peiIed to negotiate with them, II they would
secure nominations. The best men OF the
community are always its worst citizens
They are too busy to attend primary meetings
Yet tits at these political Assem6lagcs thai
the personnel Of our Government ls settIeu
Aspirants for office must arrange win thos'
who control these gatherings, or else tail a.
DAtent.FlRntH WlthOul
number have been invented, 10 secure gooC
government. But every one Of them leave
out the one vital element-thAt good citizeni
shall do their duty. When this shall be done
we will have no further need for mAke-shifts.'
Is 1t not strange that we should hear fai
aud wide Of the mlrc and filth of polltlca
life For what would American cltlzcul
sooner offer their lives than in defending th'
elective franchisel But, how do we cherish
the very means afforded US to preserve thu
Government In the hands Of good men /
has been well said by an eminent EngIisl
writer and a jealous friend Of Republican
Institutions, that "liberty in the Unite,
States means the privilege of voting for pot
house politicians i" or, as 1t may be NOR
properly expressed, the candidates OF ou
primary schools Of dCmocracy-the glnsAop
Of the city.
The remedy Is In the hands of those
always ready to find most fault, and who
lament most bitterly the decline of our ma
tlonal honor, The Judgment of hundred
citizens having no other desire but the pub
lie veal, will control any ward meeting that
can be held In this or any other city. Let
our citizens, the taxpayer, cyiucG by thelI
presence at preliminary meeting. an interest
In our political affair, and hcncelorth NJ