New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-19
TBE PHILADELPHIA ELECTION.

The underlying causes of the defeat of Col
Mcclure, the Reform candidate for Mayor in
the Philadelphia municipal election on Tues
day, are many and various. With the history
of the stupendous frauds which has made the
City's name notorious 80 fresh in mind, it can
hardly be called unchartable to credit as one
of them, and perhaps the chief, a corrupt use
of power by the existing government to per
petuate itself. Col. Mcclure does not
hesitate at making the most sweeping
accusations of fraud laganSt his OPP
pOnents In his address 20 the people, pub
lished yesterday morning, he reoites the
means taken to defeat him, and boldly
charges the result to thoroughly organized
system of corruption. II 10 easy to say that
this is the angry utterance of defeated
candidate and disappointed man, but unhap-
PLY the history of elections in Philadelphia
gives color to his assertions The safeguards
against swindlng provided in the new Con-
sttution, and III the election law which he, as
Senator, largely instrumental In procur
ing must have proved inadequate 10 the
work, or have been entirely disreSardrd by
the desperate politicians of the Ring in order
to effect such q result.
The tone of his address to the people. how
ever, does not Indicate that he is at all dts
heartened or discouraged. The disaster is
serious but by no means fatal. The friends of
reform in municipal administration are called
upon TO continue true to themselves and to
the cause, and not despair of success because
of a single repulse 1t is to DO regretted that
greater harmony could not have prevailed in
the earlier councils Of the reformers The
detection of some Of the most earnest
and sincere leaders in the movement on
account Of the nomination of Col. Mcclure
proved fatal to immediate success, but they
were doubtless actuated by honest and patri-
otto motives which cannot be impugned Tho
canvass was exceedingly warm and energetic.
and the fight made by Col. Mcclure as the
Reform leader most spirited and vigorous. II
was bitterly personal. and no line OF attack upon
the private characters of the candidates was
neglected. Col. McClure's assailants spared
nothing in his record and antecedepts as a
politician and it could not be otherwise than
that such persistent and mercless assaults
should damage him in the vote Out of IT all
no has at least the satisfaction of having
made good fight, though he lost the battle.
The journals which supported Mr.. Stokley
are not especially demonstrative over their vic
tory. but accept the result with great equanim-
ity In the comments Of some of them we detect
quasi recognition of the fact that Mr.. Stokley
has not been hitherto an unexceptionable mag
istrate, in their expression of the hope that he
will prove hereafter his title to the confidence
and support which have been given him. In
the hope that he and his associates will make
new records for themselves and give the ring
ridden city honest government and pure
administration, good men everywhere will join,
and We venture to affirm that none will re-
joce more heartily at their success in such a
new departure than the Reformers who have
80 earnestly opposed them.