Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-26
The Tammany War.

No very visible progress has been made wiihN
in day or two in the war against the New
York ring. The committee OF seventy are ae-
eused by some impatient spirits Of being too
dilatory in their movements and perhaps ac-
tiyity not their strong point but it is certain
that more progress has been made thus far than
could have been expected One of the very
few men in whom everybody seems TO have con-
fdence has charge of the controllers office.
The men who stole the vouchers have been ar
rested and are not likely to get clear without
telling who employed them on that service; a
genuine investigation of the city and county
finances is going on, and it is expected that the
arrest of the principal conspirators and thieves
will not be long delayed. When we remember
how strongly the ring seemed to be entrenched
a few weeks ago and with what cheerful inso-
lence Mayor Hall was accustomed to ask "What
are you going to do about it?" we must con-
fess that much has been accomplished. The
staunchest defenders of the ring among the
newspapers have deserted their friends in their
sorest need. The Herald talks as virtuously as
anybody about the crimes Of Tammany, and is
ready with suggestions for their discontinue.
The World which once before attacked these
very men, speaking of them as they deserved,
and since has covered them with its Venal and
fulsome praises, now has turned another somer-
sault To read it now you would not suspect
that it had ever had a word of favor or tolerance
for Tweed or Tammany. 1t even claims for the
democratic party the credit of breaking up the
ring and stopping the plumber, saying that
party alone had the power to do it, which in one
sense is true enough, since they have done the
stealing, and it must be stopped when they hold
their hands,
But the most discouraging feature of New
York politics is not the bold and cynical de-
pravity of the Tammany thieves, but the cor
ruption that pervades all parties and factions
1t is not pleasant thing TO say, but it is UNI
fortunately true, that there is not much to choose
for political or personal honesty between the
democratic and republican leaders in that city.
Half of the latter are now or have been in league
with Tammany, partieipators in its SPOTS and
in the guilt by which they were acquired They
are not only false to the municipal trusts
contided to them, but traitors to the party
which they profess TO serve. Some of them
are known as Tammany republicans and
hold offices or sinecures by favor OF
the ring. But the other republican
faction is really no better. Mr. Thomas Muir
ply is its most conspicuous member and he has
formerly cultivated the friendship of the ring
and found his profit in it. The Tribune. the
other day, published a letter from a Colone
Ocott, whom it certified to be gentleman o
unblemished reputation, commanding the conf
dence of everybody; the letter was accompane,
by afiidavts purporting to prove that Murphl
had swindled the government during the war t
the amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars
This looked badly for Murphy, and very proba
bly, 1t was all true, but the next daJ
Mr.. Murphy caused to be published il
the Times the record of his acquitta
on these charges, and also certain counter
charges against this Colonel Olcott, to the cfiec
that he is suborner of perjury and black
mailer, and these charges the Times confirms b,
its own assertion. 1t is all very well to depos,
the Tammany ring aud punish them if possible
They deserve worse fate than is likely TO be
fall them: but getting rid Of them is not eauiy
alent TO giving the city an honest government
If that is to be done, other men than those nov
recognized as leaders Of either party must b,
found to do it.