Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-30
CITY Politics.


A meeting of the "Centrai Reform Republi-
can Association, was held last night at Union
League Hall, David Fisher in the chair, and b.
NJ. Mccoy secretary.
George W. Hatton offered resolution that
the several ward anti-Bowen associations be re-
auested to send delegates to the Central Asso-
ciation, TO work in union with the Executive
Committee in aiding the work OF municipal re-
form.
as there were ward organizations known as
Reform" "Invincibles," &C., all opposed to
the reelection of Bowen, yet they might think
themselves not included in the scope OF the res
olution, and he moved to amend In some way 40
that all Republican clubs, no matter what their
name, that were against the present admins
tration of city affairs be included.
Mr.. Hatton said that in the Fourth Ward the
club was a reform club, and organized to oppose
Bowen.
Mr.. Philbrook hoped the word anti Bowen
would remain in the resolutions, otherwise they
might have mongrel crowd at their conven-
ton.
Mr.. Crane moved to amend by striking out the
word "anti- Bowen" and inserting "th0se clubs
opposed to the present municipal government"
MI. Jacob n. Crossman said if they struck OFF
the word "anti-Bowen' they would find them
selves in trouble, as clubs might knock for adj
mittance that they could not agree with.
Mr.. Holmes, of the Fifth Ward, moved the
to withdraw and draw up suitable resolutions to
be presented this evening for considerations; car
ried, and Messrs. Crossman, Crane, Hatton,
Philbrook, and Holmes were appointed the
committee.
While the committee were ont an invitation
was extended to Mr.. l.. G. Hine to addr oss the
meeting. He said there should be some change
in the present municipal government, as the
present one had proved a most ruinous failure,
that the party had, by the acts of the City Hall
ring, suffered, and was fast losing its good
the Republican party would sink lower than the
rotten Democracy had done, the noble structure
of the party must fall if better leaders are not
chosen. Any change will be for the better-it
cannot be worse, at all events. Complete ward
organizations should be made at once, com
bining all true Republicans and discarding all
who look with any degree of favor on this City
them heart and hand in the work. Applause. |
Ifsuch corruption is suffered to exist longer we
might as well be under the old Democratic
ton of Bowen by the Republican party without
hazarding its present perfect organization
would meet his sympathies, and he would prom
Use to do all in his power to assist in the cam
palgn against the corrupt set in power. The
vanity Of Bowen is one prominent and amusing
trait In his character, instanced in his having
engraved his own picture on his worthless
ponds. and on every stone bridge and culvert
that crosses Tiber creek, or any other creek the
name Of Bowen has to be chiselled on the abut-
ments. Everybody should unite in forming
ward clubs, and a central club should be kept
up to give direction to the ward clubs; then
when we get our nominations made we can unite
our Strength. NO matter what the change is il
would be Of benefit.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Hines speech, vote
OF thanks was rendered him.
Ten new members were elected.
The committee, through Mr.. Crossman then
reported resolution 8. that ANY ward organi.
zat1on In sympathy with the reform movement,
eiect nve delegates each to meet the Central
AA~"~-fi"r E."""f'va Committee, which shall
constitute a central committee for the ensuing
year; that the secretary give such notice as he
may deem suitable of our action, and direct
meeting of such delegates to be held on Satur-
day, April 9Th, in the upper hall Of this build
ing" Adopted.
Mr. n. H. Miller was called upon, and spoke
in favor of a change in our city officials, argu-
ing that the present is the most corrupt govern
ment ever known In any municipality, with
Cook as its law expounder. The City Councils
change is wanted. [Applause.l When Bowen,
by his legerdemain process, got possession of the
Mayors office, IL was supposed that he would
surround himself with good Republican advisers.
gained a notoriety all over the country tor its
corrupt practices. This man had turned out all
good Republicans who differed with him, and
look at the set now in place! What are they?
Mere tools to do the bidding of s. j.
Mr.. j. III. Crane gave account of the
course pursued by the Cook investigating COM
mittee, and more particularly the conduct of
A. X. Browne, which he characterized as
treacherOus throughout, and which was well
understood by those acquainted with the cir
School Board. Mr.. Crane then reviewed his
own difficulties with Mayo- Bowen and what
the speaker s-u.a :. the treacherOus conduct
OF Brown in that affair; and, in conclusion. he
offered resolution that the Common Council
OF this city, at its last meeting, adopted a re-
port OF the Police Committee of that BODY
which was intended TO excuse the act and cover
up the guilt of the Corporation Attorney in
accepting a bride for doing an unprofessiona
service; and, as such conduct on the part OF that
body is great encouragement to fraud and
corruption, that the act of that committee and
the Common Council in regard to said bribery
Is deserving the disapprObation OF the whole
community, and is a disgrace to that body, as
well as the Republican party; that the state
ment OF said committee that Mr.. John McClel-
Ian, gentleman Of moderate means who has
never been known as Republican in this city,
Se tne sSa9adlnary sum Of 5000 to
eft of the Republican party at the last munici-
pal election, is too preposterous TO be enter
tanned for moment by sensible people, and,
taken in connection with Mr.. Cooks own
statement (made under oath) that he claimed
the money as his own, to be used in any way he
might choose to use it, proves said committee to
be sadly deficient in the capacity to discrimi-
nate between light and wrong, truth and false
stamps the majority Of that committee as
recreant to their constituents, as well as to the
principles of common honesty.
Councilman Geo. w. Hatton said he concurred
entirely in the sentiments of the resolutions
only the language was not strong enough to ex-
press his contempt and disgust for such men.
Il ne Olty COUNCILS were as corrupt as they well
could be. He did not forget that he was a mem
Der OF that very Common Council. You NAV
go to the Fejee Islands, and bring q set of
Fejees here, and put them into the City Hall,
and put them in running order, and you would
ind them more intelligent and honest than the
corrupt set Of men there now. The acts of our
Councils have become of late the popular
amusements of the day. The crowds hooking
TO the City Hall every Monday night 20 there
for amusement, and he advocated a fifty cent
admission fee for the benefit of Bowen's col
lapsed treasury. [Lauehter.l II the present
reign Of Bowen, Cook, Morse & Co is TO con-
tinue goodbye to Republicanism in 0this city.
He then reviewed the Cook investigating rsporf.
criticising 1t section by section, saying that Hon
Mr. W hittemore, Of South Carolina, was ousted
from Congress for much less than Cook had
been guilty OF. The other committee that was
appointed to ascertain whether Cook had ever
met his Just deserts-viz: been sent to the
states prison Of Pennsylvania-had white
washed MIN over, too; and although they started
OUT Ior vigorous investigation, had simmered
down, afraid TO do anything.
MI. Crossman said that during the camnaian
or last year Cook had showed him memorsn-
dunn book on which was q subscription OF about
500 In small sums, besides the s6O0 brihe oh
tanned from Mr.. Mcclellan, and that he had
collected some 81 500 for campaign purnoses
and had never paid any out to his kno Wedge =
nor given any account Of the funds in his hands
=, MI hatton then continued, saving this was
.ne honest man that Republicans bowed down
70 Worship. He knew Mr.. McClelland to he An
ps, man, though never identified with the
t nsSsPaVhhcah party, and 1t was q very strange
S.Ss y. s NC should give q donation Of 5000 for
ho,~ th;s rs,ort ~ me party 1t was easy to see