The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-06
Tweed Versus Green.

Time will never vindicate William NJ.
Tweed, but it has already done much to
molity the public Indignation that ragged
so violently against him after the evidence
Of his guilt came to light. When Tam.
many fell, three years ago, the reform gov
eminent was welcomed to power, with ev-
cry demonstration of satisfaction and con-
hdence on the part Of press and people
and Comptroller Green, its chief repre-
sentative, entered upon the duties of his
office as the herald of honesty, nay, the
very Christ Of honest government. Dur
ing the excitement attending the ring
prosecutions, not a murmur was heard
against the new regime Public scrutiny
and official investigation were directed to
the wrong-doers of the past. The sky of
the glory that enveloped the reformers
showed no cloud, and no event transpired
to soften the anathemas that followed the
the fallen chief as he passed from the city
he had ruled TO the island that had become
his prison home.
Scarcely, however, had the law trans
formed jovial Blk Six, of Tammany, in
to hospital orderly at Blackwell's island.
when the cloud appeared, and murmurings
OF the coming tempest were heard. Now
the municipal sky is overcast and darken-
ed, and the tempest is raging in full fury
about the reform government, and the
honest" men who accepted authority
three years ago amid the plaudts of the
multitude, are threatened with disgrace.
and vengeance at the hands Of an outraged
people.
Discomfort with the existing city govern
ment was first manifested some months
ago, and has been constantly increasing
ever since. At first. complaints were made
respecting the increase Of taxation, and
then comparisons were made, on the
streets aud in the newspapers between
the management Of Tweed and that of
Green, which placed the latter in a very
unenviable position. The feeling of dis
satlstactionincreaSed in intensity as the re-
form government developed its utter in
capacity. Admitting that Tweed stole,
was the common remark, is it not better
that city should be robbed than smother
ed The general discomfort has at last
taken shape, and a memorial has been for
warded to the State Legislature asking for
the investigation Of certain specified
charges against comptroller Green The
document was signed by seven bank presi-
dents and many prominent business men,
although few of them have since with
drawn their signatures.
The memorial contains many charges.
but the most remarkable feature of il is
the statement of the financial affairs of the
city. 1t states that the grand total Of city
and county obligations in taxes, bonds, and
stocks during three years of Mr.. Green's
management amount TO $l40,673, 324 9G,
which sum is $j5.G93, 0Oj IS over and
above lammanys "swindling' administra-
ton tor three years. II from this is de-
Quoted the $4,000, 900, which the reform
ers say Tammany stole, Comptroller
Grreen' management will cost, over that
OF Tweed for like period, swindlng and
all, the enormous sum of $3O6g3, gO5 80.
and this does rot include the large
floating debt OF the city. The memorial
lists then ask the pertinent question: IF
Tammany could carry on the government
OF the city and county for three years, with
all the extensive improvements, at an ex-
pense to the people of $l09, 979, 4l9 50, and
out ot this amount steal over $23, 900, 900,
aud leave behind debt Of only $9,7l7,-
59,.55 (which is all the comptroller claims
To have paid], what is the cause of the i'm
mense increase OF the burdens of the city
and county during the succeeding three
years 10 the enormous amount of Sl40.-
6I3,324.gG. and that during a reformed.
honest, and economical administration of
the government under an incorruptible Of
hcer, and with virtual stoppage of near
ly all the public works.
Mayor Hayemeyer has addressed to the
Legislature lengthy reply to the memoir
ial' In which he defends the government,
ana charges much of the existing confusion
ana apparent extravaganza to the state of
disorder IN which all branches of the adj
mlnIstration were left by Tammany. This
explanation T. p is far from being satisfactory
~ is an attempt to make scapegoat of one
y, VINO Is already suffering as a scanegoat
Tweed bears upon his broad shoulders the
burden OF the crimes of a populace. He
was development of false and bad sys-
TEN OF government. He did not introduce
lhe poison into that system; he absorbed
poison from it. The honest cabinet maker
pecame dishonest statesman" because
mon HO11esty was not compatible with the polit-
~ organism OF which he be-