New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-17
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.
THE PHILADELPHIA MAYoRALrY CONTEST

THE PHILADELPHIA MAYORALTY CONTEST.
PROSPECTS or To-DAY's OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
DEVICES TO AID THE RING-FRAUDULEST TAX
RECEIPTS AND GANGS or REPEATERs.
lyRoN An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE raIBUNB.I
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 16.-Tbe diverse ele-
ments which into the calculations the result
OF tomorrows contest for Mayor and other city officers
render that result In eminent degree eDgmatcaL II
is the first election under order OF things estab
lished by the radical changes OF reformed organic
law and by tho theory Of that instrument which
munich pal elections from National and State questions
1t Is non-partsan contest This theory each OF the
opposing parties claims being carried out in practice.
aud therefore the old party figuring cannot be relied
as means Of arriving at the result. The personal
fitness OF the candidates has therefore formed large
consideration in the minds Of voters and the various
points from which that fitness Is viewed In each
to be considered In arriving at Judgment 1t Is
this last element that has made this municipal contest
one OF the most memorable record for the mutual
attacks the personal character aud associations OF
the rival candidates Tho advertising columns, and In
some cases the and editorial departments OF all
the city journals have been crowded with charges or
fragrant misuse OF political power for party ends per-
sonal corruption in handling public moneys. aud the
commission many Of the crimes in the calendar In
private life.
The large majority OF $1,000 votes for the Constl
tuition il claimed by the adherents OF Col Mcclure,
solely the view Of overhrowing the present
political rulers who asking for reelection. II
this claim is we'll based. the result cannot be doubted
A. n Stnkey
that such votes will be than counterbal
snced by the detection OF the strict party Democrats,
who have sympathy with fusion of parties even for
municipal regeneration. The entire alteration In the
system OF election, far the numerous subdi-
visions and arrangements Of boundaries in the 20
wards OF the city concerned the want Of experience
In tho new election officers and the untried workings OF
the new law all combine render the election most
anomalous Ia view OF this uncertainty, tue most
geuo being taken TO cast the majority
OF In favor OF side tue other and to have
the true vote counted and returned.
The fraudulent issue OF tax receipts In blank by
clerks the office Of the Receiver OF Taxes and the
collectors Of delinquent taxes aud the distribution OF
them by police heutenants among those who have not
complied with the constitutional provision Of payment
80 days before election so notorious that the Leg
stature Harrisburg has egazed the fraud by act
Assembly passed Saturday last In hagrant evasion
OF the Constitution That instrument requires that
bill sho be hurried through both branches on the
day but must require at least three days IN s
passage. Last week bill supplementary 10 the Elec-
ton law offered In unobjectionabe shape ana
through the various readings but at the last
ment and on the the vas
In the shane OF amendment which made these false
to be, namely receipts for the payment OF 90 cents eacn
into the City Treasury These and many 0ther devices
In TO make the results favorable TO those pra
ticing them.
on the the other hand, the Mcclure men are asking
for Of election aud minority inspectors aud
throwing all lawful hnderances the paths OF repeaters
and fraudulent Owing TO many causes arising out
OF the OF the provisions OF the Election Jaw ana
the Constitution the returns tomorrow night VIII NOT
be made till very late aud all probability the results
announced in Wednesday mornings newspapers Will De
approximations. Much disorder Is apprehended IN
OF wards OF the city, owing 10 the bitterness
Of the short campaign and the interests involved in the
issue.