The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-24
QUAKER CITY REFORM.
UItimatum of the Reform
Association.
Failing to Complete Their Programme Against
Municipal Corruption Permanent Organi-
cation is Formed and a New Ameri-
can Reform Club Started.
BEAUTIES OF THE NEW CLUB HOUSE.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 10, 1879
Is reform In Philadelphia something more than
high-sounding word l have watched the move
ments OF the reformers with good deal OF inter-
est since the formation OF the committee, and am
now reluctantly compelled to admit that the work
accomplished has not equalled the expectations of
the organizers of the movement. Philadelphia has
the consolation of knowing she is not alone. New
York has q reform committee and reform party
pledged to root out the foundations Of fostering
sores on the body polite, but the experiences at
Albany last Winter made your people cry
out to be delivered from reform II this
is reform. Let 1t be said to the credit
of the men who are at the head of this movement
in Philadelphia that their efforts have been honest
and they have not only been the warm end0rsers of
all movements looking to the public good but they
have organized many movements In behalf OF the
city's veal. 1t cannot be doubted they have pre-
vented great deal of CRIME in public Offices and
could they but conine their efforts to the preven-
ton of crime instead of discovering it after its
preparation. believe they would be successful
in nearly every instance.
THEIR FIRST GOOD WORK
was the prosecutions against Marcer and Yerkes
last year. Populations and deficits by public
of1cials were unknown for time and Philadel-
phians began to think the era OF reform had set in
in good earnest. From the date of the conviction
OF these two men the Reform Association busted
itself in minor AFFAIRS unsleeping, never tdle
always willing to lend hand to any efforts OF the
local magistrates to check crime In October last
the association offered several candidates for
city offices, but the story of that over
wheming defeat is too well known to need
further comment at this time. The Reform Asso-
ciation although they knew Of cases of illegal vot
ing and did their utmost to prosecute the Offenders
found themselves powerless when confronted by
Judiciary alleged to be in the interests OF the Ring
do not wish to be understood as limiting suspi-
cion against the names of Allison, Paxson, Pierce,
Ludlow or Finletter, our Judges OF the Quarter
Sessions but the Reform Association allege that
the whole working power OF the Courts below the
Bench was in the power and interests OF the very
who controlled the repeaters in the Fall cleo
tiOnS.
THE REFORM CLUB.
The Reform Association thinking their work would
be greatly facilitated by the organization of per.
manent club decided last Fall upon the purchase OF
property in the city TO be permanently devoted
to the interests OF the association. A club was
the association financially alphabetically and it is
known as the Reform Club. After some discussion
a large marble house, No. 1870 Chestnut
street. The association paid $4,000 Tor the the
anna ns Se euo b"us
pairs have just been completed, and the manner in
which the work has been performed reflects Infinite
credit on the twogentlemen who have had charge of
this matter since the purchase Of the property. 1t
characteristic OF Philadelphia houses that the base
ments are devoted to furnaces, storage and coal
cellars-the family never occupies this part of the
house. The first moor above the basement OF the
club house s is S to the ss Of resa
ception parlor on the right the back building Is
Kitchen and cook rooms The frescoing in the din
saste e'fs @ %sn'S n0 rnisars
neutral effects. You seldom see anything loud OF
immense" about Philadelphia parlor. Let me
not forget Tatham's mirror in the hall near the
door. 1t is very powerful encased in a rich black
walnut frame and rests on black walnut table,
sSe BY nsees a"s tSs fne
room" to the right OF the hall decidedly unique
lot of chairs. These" said Mr. latham, care
patterned alter the chair in Independence Hail."
Not the hgh-backed, straight-laced chairs OF Con-
tinental Massachusetts; but low, wide-seated
portable wtha. have a much better opinion Of
my forefathers after trying one Of these chairs
To the left OF the second hallway is another
dining reom more retired, and may say here,
par pare,these it will be feature OF this club to
allow ladies to come in and dine at any time, at
tended unattended, alter the plan or q Boston
house. on the second floor Of the back building,
which Is reached by hallway and two steps, is the
most approved pattern, bevelled doubtless. An.
other hight OF stairs brings us to
THE GOVERNORS ROOM.
AS this club is modelled after its nameSake in
London some English ideas have been incorpor-
ated into its management Instead of having a
Board of Directors we will have q Board OF Gov
ernors, differing from directors only in name.
Across the hall are three card rooms opening into
one another to be opened or closed at the option
oil the occupants The cuisine of the club will CON-
bne all the latest novelties and members will re-
ceive all the luxurIes OF the table at prices just
sufficient to keep the restaurant going.
The Reform Club, taken all in all, starts out
under the happiest auspices, and with every
promise OF bright future 1t numbers at present
about five hundred members, aud its present
standing is attributable solely to the efforts OF
three Woodworking gentemen-Henry Q. Lea,
Henry latham and l.. =. Ashmead. These gentle
men have been the workingmen, par excellence OF
the organization from its inception, and under
their skilfui guidance let it proceed to honor and
nn m