The New York herald., 1872-05-29
PENNSYLVANIA.
The Abstract Reform Party of
Philadelphia.
The Object Of the New 0rganization-Is Plat
form and Tcket-Purging the Municipal and
Judicial 0fices-Party Allegiance to
Either Democracy or Repnbhcanism
Denounced-National Politics Only
Indirectly" Affected by It
What 1t May Become.
PHILADELPHIA. NAV %. 1872.

PHILADELPHIA, May %, 1872.
The political event OF the Quaker City to-day Is
the holding OF the first Convention OF the municipal
reform party. Although the single object Of this
intelligent and powerful organization is local re-
form, yet the most prominent cardinal principle OF
the association, by requiring absolute remuneration
OF fealty to any other party, creates OF itself
party, purely independent whose movements may
influence national issues more than some Of the
prime movers of the organization have contemplated
or would approve Starting purely for municipal
REFORM this party has, In advance, specially and
emphaticaly warned the people that this is the sole
object Of the organization, and to-day, by resolu-
tons, 1t has distinctly reafirmed this declara-
tion and again warned the public that none OF its
acts should be construed favoraby or adversely to
either OF the great parties IN the State or national
contests. This proclamation Is honestly made;
none dispute it-nOne should; but nevertheless the
movement ut being grand One) will affect repub
can supremacy In the city and State, and possibly
indirectly, not be without influence in the Pres
dental contest. 1t is to be regretted that the me-
cessity for banding together independent OF all
party ties, in so good cause as mu-
nclpal reform, Is too urgent to be post
poned, and has to be inaugurated in n tumul-
tuous Presidential year. Certain it is that misgov-
ernment in every shape, in the city, has reached a
point most alarming to every good citizen, whether
rich or poor. Certain 1t Is that masses Of both
parties are willing to temporarily waive party alle
glance and unite for q change OF measures and of
men, In the hope OF avertng fresh disgrace, in
creased danger-and threatened bankruptcy. Ger
tain it Is that confidence is reposed in the inteni
gence and impartiality Of the men who met to-day
to adopt ticket and concert measures to secure
undoubted reform. And yet the heat OF the ma
-
born zeal for reform and freedom from party tram
mels.
THE REFoRMERs IN CONVENTION.
The Convention was composed OF ninety-two
members, eghty-nine of whom were present. All
parties were represented. Many of the delegates
were distinguished for their prominence in manu-
factures, commerce, mechanics and law. There
never was held in the city political convention
which equalled it for singleness of purpose, intclll
gencc aud general respectabity The utmost har-
mony prevailed and more devotion was shown for
measures than for men,
THE PLATFORM AND TICKET.
After about four hours deliberations having
adopted a platform and made nominations, the
Convention adjourned to meet at the call OF the
President This will enable the new party to meet
again to make ticket for delegates to the Convcn-
ton to frame new constitution should the old
parties make unsatisfactory nominations. by
unanimous vote three of the nominations made to-
day were given to democrats, and the remaining
three TO republicans. OF the former, William
Hayward Drayton was selected for Judge
OF the District Court. He is OF the
late ' Commodore Pereival Drayton. Mr.. Drayton IS
lawyer OF excellent repute and man of un-
blemished .a character; Mr.. Harry Harry g. Gowen' the
nominated Receiver OF Taxes, and Mr.. Kelly IA
practical printer) for City Commissioner. The re-
! naming nominations were given to republicans
tnat of Recorder OF Deeds to Henry S. Haines, a
conveyancer of ripe experience and tantless repu-
sons to III. G. Thompson, ana that OF Prothonotary
OF the District Court, by acclalnation, to Colonel
COURT FEES AND SALARIES
Pledges In writing will be required from each
candidate excepting the candidate for Judge, that
they will pay into the City Treasury all fees
missions and emoluments over and above the
amounts which the Convention determined to be II
just reconpense for their services. The maximum
resolved on varies from five thousand nor City
Commissioner) to eight thousand dollars Qor Re-
ceiver OF TaXes), and Is very much below what is
now received by the incumbents In two instances
the compensation allowed s but sixth or fifth of
the present salaries and estimated contingents and
pilferings
The ticket is well made up, and will probably be
popular. Will 1t be elected2 What Significance
has IL outside OF Philadelphia IL can be elected
even If both the Old bunker parties should nominate
their ring tickets. Out of 10000 voters at least
1000 VIII 1t. But so powerful Is this munich
under which we suffer, terrified the man.
ayers OF both the ola parties so wholesome y the
each OF the old parties will adopt respectively half
Of the ticket, and thus substantially endorse,
print and vote the whole OF it. The vote
this eclectcism would insure the success of the
party viii nominate the three democrats selected
by the reform party to-day. and decline to make
nomlnations against the three republicans selected
the republican party will have the strong
est reasons for following that wise exam
pie. Any other course would be sheer folly. The
halfway. measure Of adopting the republican
half OF the rcformers' ticket would compare shab-
cratic party. And the republican party cannot
afford to jeopardize Grants success by ring combi-
nations against the uprising Of the people for local
brought to unite Oh the ticket made today, not
only will the welfare OF the city be assured, but the
national contest will be fought out on its own
merits. or course the influence OF republican
leaders, most of whom are office cehodeis, either
ticket; but Grants friends, caring much for him
and much for REFORM Will not be without influence.
The clamor OF the place-hoders may be put aside.
THE ORGANIZATION.
The Citizens Municipal Reform party has its
committee OF thirty on abuses-a committee similar
to your famous Committee Of Seventy-but more
than that, 1t is regular organized party, and ex
tends its ramifcatons into every precinct Of every
ward. II has built better than II knew, or rather
better than some OF its friends dream OF. 1t con-
templates no spasmodic efforts at municipal reform,
but the permanent divorce OF municipal matters
from State or national politics. Many who have given
the subject thought, while not exactly admitting
that republican institutions are failure in large
cities, do confess that, practically, the government
OF them, no matter which party may be In the ascen
dency, invariably falls into the hands OF the
ignorant and the corrupt; that elections are q
farce; that these outrages are the more easily prac
tised by reason OF the combinations Of State
and national oilce-holdcrs with the more numerous
officers and reiainers OF municipalities, and their
joint appeals to party passions aud in view of these
sad facts have conscentiously dedicated them
selves TO break up this vile system. The reiormers
believe that party corruption is threatening the
very existence Of republican institutions; that the
frauds In elections committed In the cities
often. reversing the votes OF the rural districts
and falsely controlling the peoples honest voice.
ELECTION FRAUDS AND THEIR EFFECT.
They can readily understand how fraud i'm New
York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati or some large city
may cheat state out OF her electoral vote, eject
defeat Presidential candidate and emblOil the
people even unto civil war. They clearly see that
these frauds are invariably the work OF the bum
mers, FOUNDERS and repeaters who hang around
municipal officers, and retained by them for
their own purposes, but who are ever ready, at the
bidding of their reckless masters, to do an extra
Job of political villany Cheating for the party ma
tionally Is much the bargain to cheat for the
Sheriff or any other candidate for municipal Office.
THE FUTURE PROSPECTS,
There are men In the movement for municipal re-
form who expect To see Within q year q natinual