The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-08

houses sW0thed In dust, anu Douhueu oy
canals of slush, are spectacle over which
angels and Gothamites might sorrow together.
The story goes that Plus TX, who has mania
for cold water and clean skins, was ap-
preached by an American prelate, the other
day, for his benediction. With twinkle of
his eye the Pope gave it in italian. "Ugly
and dirty as thou art, bless thee J" We are
afraid that, infallible or not, his Holiness
patience would give way if our neighbor
came as a supplicant. There are degrees of
ugliness and uncleanness which neither gods
nor men can forgive.
THE RING AND CHARTER REFORM.
From the N. y. World.
scheme of municipal government for
million people canLot be composed under
one huckleberry bush in a summers after
noon. Yet, because Senators Genet, Norton,
and Oreamer are taking time to deliberate
and perfect notifications of its structure
which will command the approving votes of
the country Democratic Senators and Repre-
sentatives, constrain the votes of the ring
members, and deserve public appreciation,
Republican newspapers are assailing them for
delay, and joining with the organs of the
ring to spread the impression that they are
Compromising" - 'selling out the fight
against the ring"
These charges are false.
The Senators we have named and their as
sociates in the Assembly are faithful in the
cause to which they have given such vigor-
ous and effective support The hopes which
the readers. of the World may have founded
upon their cooperation in its war upon the
ring are as reasonable as, and are nearer
realization than, they have ever been. Not
one of those Senators is capable of compro-
missing with the ring, andall of them are wide
- H. e. AhaA A1a 10,
be more warily watched than now when they
put down their hands and confess defeat.
The lions skin has failed, and they will, if
they can, exc it out with the fox's.
A review of the work of the session-which,
so far at least as the Senate is concerned, is
in advance of former years-will clearly show
that public business has not been delayed by
the necessary delay In the discharge of
the most important duty they owe to their
constituents.
In the first place, the Republicans have so
long had control in the affairs of the State
that there is scarce one city or village charter
which has not been made contrivance for
assuring them some party advantage. The
result is that the Democracy, SO long imposed
upon, are now presenting new or amended
charters for almost every city or village of
importance in the State, asking of the
Legislature to undo this radical gerryman-
dering and restore to them their rights of
self-government New York city has not
been the sole sufferer from this protracted
radical rule. Other cities have suffered
considerably, if they have not suffered so
much. But to repair these wrongs has taken
time, and will take more time. The charter
of Utica has been amended already. Rome
has been made chartered city. The charter
of Auburn and the amendments to the char
ters of Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga, Roches-
ter, Lockport, Batavia, and Yonkers, as well
as those of other important towns, are pend
ing, some having passed one House, and all
contemplating the restoration to the people
of their rightful power of self-government
That, as we have said dozen times, was the
significance of the Democratic victory won in
this State last fall; and the Legislature is hard
at work redeeming the pledge upon faith of
which it was elected. The work of twenty
years cannot be wholly undone in one years
legislation; but this Legislature will complete
the best portion of great reformation.
But it is the reform of the government of
New York city which most interests the peo-
pie on this island; and they will better ap-
preciate the work that is doing for them if
we disclose tothem some of the difficulties of
the situation.
The destruction of every ring g-and-radical
board in this city lets loose upon the radical
members of the Legislature a horde of dis
contents, and brings to bear upon them and
upon radical newspapers pressure which
few of them will be disposed and none of
them will be courageous enough to resist-to
cast their votes against any charter or any
bill proposing to accomplish that destruction.
Radical votes in behalf of local self-govern-
ment for New York city cannot be had. Cor
ruptible members would fear to be charged
by their party press with selling their votes;
unimpeachable members will not be bold and
magnanimous enough to resist the pressure of
radical newspapers and ring g-and-radical Office
holders.
But the Democratic ma ajority in the Senate
would be lost by the adverse votes Of the two
New York ring Senators. For some mea-
sures, like Kiernans election bill giving to
the people the choice of election officers,
those Senators cannot but vote. They would
not dare obstruct their passage by uniting
with Republicans to defeat them. Indeed,
in the Assembly Republicans united with
Democrats to carry Kiernans bill by an
almost unanimous vote, and in the Senate,
with some notifications, its principle is sure
of as general support. For other specific
measures those ring Senators might with
more safety refuse to vote. To one plan
they might oppose their practical veto under
pretense that some other plan would be bet
ter; and by this or that hindrance known to
experienced Legislators, and certain to receive
the assistance of misunderstanding radical
Senators, all measures of reform might be
STAYED off for a week or ten days, and so pre-.
vented altogether; for joint rule provides
that all bills introduced after the 18th OF
March shall not be considered in either
House, save by unanimous consent, until all
bills earlier introduced have been first dis
posed Of.
But our war upon the ring would certainly