The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-06
sP1R1R or THE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions OF the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
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ALL LOvELYl
,tsburg Com nerciaL

From the Pittsburg CoiamerctaL
We call for a report of progress on the
proposition to rule Philadelphia and Pennsyl-
yania by means of Joint commission. Tue
longer we consider it the more forcibly are
we impressed with its uncommon originality
and adaptation of means to ends proposed.
It was an absolute Inspiration, aud, like
every work of true genius is so exceedingly
simple that "a wayfaring man, though fool, "
cannot fail to detect the beautiful meanings
which it seeks to convey, and the beneicent
objects at which it aims. In New York city,
for instance, Messrs. Tweed, Sweeny, and
Connolly constitute the municipal govern
ment, control all its financial operations, and
disburse all its expenditures, while Mr.. Peter
Cooper and a few of his fellow-fossils-
remnants of prehistoric age-certlfY that
the management of the city is in good hands,
and that the Tammany chiefs are to be
thoroughly trusted; and there is an end of it.
There is no trouble, no worry, no annoyance
of any kind. No books are shown, no
vouchers exhibited, no accounts inspected,
no reports made; there is no fHss, no furry,
no fdget, no precipitation, no drugery, no
tagging, no slavery-but instead thereof
peace, leisure, spare hours, holiday, vacation,
relaxation, and downy repose. Mr.. Cooper
certifes Tammany-nobody is required to
certify Cooper, which answers every pur-
pose, and saves an immense deal of vexstion,
Irritation, and chagrin. By all means, let us
have the commission.
That the plan is an admirable one, and
answers every purpose which its most enthu-
siastic advocates could desire is sufficiently
proven by the New York Times, which states
that the sun-shades on the New York Court
House have cost, on an average, under the
economic administration of the Tammany
patriots, only the ridiculously small SUN of
eight hundred thousand dollars each, and
that twelve millions of dollars would not
cover the amount which has been "squan-
dered" by the ring within the past year or
two; while that this is no mere vague asser-
ton unwarranted by facts is indicated in the
challenge which it ex tends to Controller Con-
molly to produce his books and permit the
Times to prove it.
We confess our disbelief in the Justice of
that clause in the Times bill of indictment
which accuses the commission of ''squauder-
ing" the public funds. There is no evidence
to substantiate the charge. On the 90 oltrary
we believe that Messrs. Tweed, Sweeny, end
Connolly have taken such remarkably good
care of the sum mentioned that they could
if they chose, account for every dollar of it,
And now that we think of it, we may as well
admit that the Tweed and Cooper method has
sanction and semblance in a very high quarter.
There is Hindoo theory that the earth is
poised on the back of an elephant, which in
its turn rests on a turtle, while below it all is
space We are inclined to believe that this
is the source whence Tammany derived its
idea; at all events, if the former be possible
why also may not Cooper be able in like
manner to bear up Tammany? Even in SO
exact a science as mathematics something
has to be taken for granted. Why, then,
subject Atlas to any impertinent inquiries as
to the irmness of his foothold or the solidty
of his base Give us the commission, gentle
men. What are few millions more or less,
when contrasted with the development of a
splendid principle?