New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-03
THE PHILADELPHIA ELECTION.

One week from to-day inc clIlZcuS VI L u'"-
delphia will elect Mayor, District Attorney,
Coroner, City Treasurer, Solicitor, Controller
and Commissioner, ProthOnOtary, Judge OF the
District Coillt, two State Senators, eighteen
members Of the lower House, and several
members of City Councils.
INDEPENDENTLY Of the interest and Importance
attaching to the State elections of this year,
influencing powerfully as they will the great
struggle now fairly begun against colrup-
ton and misgovernmcnt, there are especial
reasons why the good people Of Philadelphia
should devote all their efforts to gaining
a decisive victory now over the combination
which has, since 1868, misrcprcsentcd and in
jurcd them. For many years the City OF
Philadelphia held an envinble rank among
the great towns of the Continent for good
government and tranquility. Its rectangular
streets wero well lighted and cleanly kept
and life and property were protected with
perfect efficiency and little parade. But in
1853, owing to an exceptional condition OF
local politics., the Mayor, who has
the appointment of the Police force,
and tho Prosecuting Attorney, were
elected from the Democratic party;
and the reputation of the city as peaceful
and law-abiling community has steadily de-
generated from that day Tho arrest and
punishment of criminals has Become lax and
languid. The municipal Legislature has, how
ever, during all this time remained III the
hands of the Republicans and the voters have
had an admirable opportunity to test the rcia-
tive fitness Of the two parties for the functions
of government.
Under the Democratic Executive the police
force has become not only wholly inefficient,
but, being composed in great part OF obscure
and disrcputable politicians, is rather terror
than a protection to the community. 1t ID no
torious that the rOwdics and gamblers who in
fest the neighbOrhoOd of the Continental llo-
tel, being the political friends and supporters
of the District Attorney, are sure of immunity
from arrest or trial On the other hand. tnd"r
Republican rule, the debt of philadelphia with
its enormous park Of 200 acres and ia lavish
expenditures during the war, does not reach
$4,000 600, and taxation averages only 81 GG
on the hundred dollars, although the ter
ritory over which Improvements have to be
made, such rs laying gas and water main ana
sewers, paving and grading streets, Is SIX
times greater than the area of the City of
New York-whcre our debt, under the skilIful
manipulation of Democratic Ring, reaches,
according to the statement of Demo-
cratic Congressman, tho stupendous figure
of $1,000 900, and our citizens are taxed 81 y
upon the hundred.
| We earnestly trust We have begun move
ment in this city which will end in reform
of our Municipal Government. We entreat
our friends in Philadelphia not to allow YER
diet to be given by their apathy which shall
infuse new hope into the frightened plundercrs
of Ncw-Yotk We are inclined to think
that Tammany will We just now too busy
and too nervous to send its repeatcrs out
of town, so that nothing but indo-
lencc can defeat tho Republican majority
in Philadelphia. This is not time for rest
ing on our oars. We want a report next week
from the old citadel of Rcppblicanism which
shall give new heart to every citizen of New
York who is hoping and working for better
times, and shall convince the thieves OF Tam
many that the popular clamor for reform is
no local excitement, hut movement SO gem
eral as to be irresistible.