, 1873-09-21

THE CITY ELECTION.
It ia time for the friends Of Law and Order In
Chicago irrespective Of their notions on tho Sun
daybcer question: to take notice OF the diaordeFly
congregation that iB collecting togother undertho
name and style Of "Liboral Cltizons," to seize
tho roiua Of tho City Government. In thia Or
ganization, NO regret to say, aro gathering
Ill tho German voters Of tho olty,
large portion Of whom, howovor, arc
silent and reluctant members, who hayo no
,ympathy or utilization with the rabblo, but who
think that their right to meet together on Bun-
day, according to their native customs aud tra-
ditious, haa boon wantonly and needlossly in
tringcd upon. Added to these aro the whisky
drinking portion OF tho Irish, and Of tho nativo-
born population, together with that class Of
peoplo who look upon tho Sunday law aa m at-
tempt to enforce religious tenet or obsor-
ganee, and as something to DO resisted. This
last class aro as yot m unknown quantity ut the
polls. Tho Germans, II united, aro probably
ono-third Of tho voting opnlatlon-certainly 30
In an election of this kind, where every ono OF
them will bo on hand, while a fraction at least
of their opponents will bo too busy or indiffor-
ent to vote. Tho question IT, whether one-sI1th
Of tho population, Of all nntionallties, can DO
inducod to go with the Hcsing crowd, and add
their yotos to tho united strength Of the Germans.
There il somo danger TINT this may be dono, and
lit is done it will DO sorry day for Chicago.
Look first at the financial aspect Of the cleo
Hon. Tho prospect Of making tho contracts,
md Of handling hyo or si1 millions OF dollars
10 bo spent upon tho now Court-House and City
Hall, has become matter Of intense interest to
Tho local politicians, and especially to the saloon
bummera, who aim to live upon the public. Five
County Commissioners arc to bo elected this
fall, While tho public have not boon able to
keop that Board free Of tho jobbera
Ind traders who are curse to every
municipal government d sufficient number
Of respectable citizens have, from time
10 time, boon willing to serve in ordcr to prevent
outrages And abuses. Political parties hayo
boon go closcly divided that change Of ono Or
two members will give the control Of tho county
10 tho Inca! succossors OF the old, rotton Board
of Supervisors. Tho Board has heretofore been
limited for our1ont expenditures to tax Of rs
cents per 800, on valuation Of niuety-hve
millions. Tlis yoar that valuation will DO ill.,
creased to one hundred aud ninety millions OF
dollars, which will place at tho control Of the
Commissioners rovenuo double that Of last
yoar. When it ia remembered that it only re-
quires combination of eight men to contro
the expenditure OF this money. and that tho,
hayo absolute power over it, tho interest which
The bummo1n have in tho election can reaall.
bo understood.
Tho Mayors bill :" expires in March, and TIL
city will, after that date, bo practically without
Responsible head. Tho Common Council. th
I}oard of Police, the Board Of Public Works, AMI
cach of tho other departments Of the Govern
mont, will he Independent of tho Mayor, and be
law unto itself. Each Of those will have
chance ut tho six Millions Tho Mayor boing 70
aucod officially to q noneutity, tho bummor
care vory little for that Office; they will vote to
anY man who will lend respectable name t.
bond the ticket, which Is mado up @
Aldermen. attorneys, Assessors. Collectors
and Trcasurers, who aro to koop an
expond tho money raised by taxation. I'll
sale Of beer on Sunday Ia q bagatell
Is compared with tho handling aud disburse
mont OF tho city aud county taxes.
IN addition, therefore, to the issue Of La
md Ordor is the issue Of an honost admnstra
ton Of tho finances Of tue city. Thero hn
never beon City-uall or Court-uouso OF On
magnitude, built In any largo city, TINT las nj
resulted In most proiligate corruption. No
York, Doaton, Portland. Albany. Nov Orleanl
gs Louis, furnish oil almost unbrokon limo c
preoedenta for robbery. Shall Chicago t
an exception, or shall 1t follow sui
md In tho no1t few years dovolop
kribe Of local Twsods, and swoonys, m
Gas7eys, and Ingoraolla Tho attempt to o.
xanizo party to aoizo tho County aud City Coy
srumonts, including tho power Of unlimited ia,
ation and Of irresponsible expenditure. and
prean!ze II by calling together tho drcgs Of 81
nto&y, tho professional politicians and their 1T 81
soolatos, tho proprotors and Htipend1arios Of tn
shIalp saloons, tho ogamblng-lousos.t the bsotAol