, 1879-07-06

freedom, and the happiness, and the con
tentment Of slaves. Such freedom is end
must always be repulsive to the American
people, to whom paternalism in government
means despotism in its grossest forms.
MAYOR HARR1soN's ADMINISTRATION
:E:;*The small politicians among the Chicago
Democrats affect to believe that the criticisms
which Mr.. CARTER HARRISON has drawn upon
himself since he has been Mayor have been
prompted by partisan considerations, and
these persons are endeayoring to create sym
pathy in Mr. HARR1soN's behalf by represent
ing the matter in that light. This theory is
obviously and ridiculously incorrect. In
point Of fact, no Mayor of Chicago for sew
eral years past has been elected by strict
party vote, and Mr.. HARRISON is not an ex-
ception- Immediately after the fire Of 1871,
o Citizens ticket was nominated and elected
by combination Of Democrats and Repub-
Leans, Then CoLyN was elected by CON-
bination organized against the Sunday liquor
law, and composed Of voters from both po-
itical parties. HEATH was twice elected by
the votes Of the responsible element, includ-
ing Democrats as we'll as Republicans, though
he was Repu blican. Finally, no one
familiar with the division Of parties in Chi
cago can doubt for moment that Mr. HAR-
R1soS's majority was largely made up Of
Republican votes, though he ran as q
Democrat, Dissatisfaction with the regu-
lar Republican candidate, and the bo-
oE 41,nk r4nh1
citizen and large taxpayer, would
manage the affairs Of the city in conserva-
tive fashion, caused an Important detection
from the Republican ticket in his favor. AL
the Republicans who voted fol Mr. HAaR1-
SON would gladly justify their action by
sustaining his Administration if they ooa1d
fairly do SO.
The fact is that the popular dissatisfaction
with Mayor HAnR1soN's Administration e1-
tends among the Democrats as well as the
Republicans, and there are abundant rea-
SONS to account for it without setting up any
': partisan opposition, which really has moth
!: ing to do with it. Hr. HARRISON began BY
promising to be g. Mayor Of the entire city,"
which was O virtual acknowledgment Of his
obligation to Republicans as well as Demo-
Gratis, and implied IN intention On his part
to manage the affairs Of the city to the best
Of his ability, without regard to mere party
interests. But he encountered pressure
from the party bumners which he was not
prepared to meet with the proper resistance.
Ho permitted himself to be persuaded and
bullied into the belief that he was primarily
Mayor of the Democratic party, and he
began to make such changes in the
personnel of the City Government as
threatened to prostitute the entire pat
ronage Of his Office to the service Of the
Democratic party. This was not what the
better class Of citizens, whether Democrats
or Republicans, wanted or expected OF MIR.
HAnn1soN. But it encouraged the ward-pol-
iticians-the loafers, bummers, and vermin
of his party-to fasten upon him till he him
self wearied of the inficton, and even
threatened. to resign unless he could. rid
himself Of the parasites. His repentance
was too late, however, for his own good or
that Of the city; the Unsuitable place-hunters
claim him for their own they make his life
miserable when he listens to them, and pur-
sue him relent1essly if be turns from them.
Had he at the very outset driven off the
pack Of hounds, and devoted himself to the
service Of the city, he would not now have
to suffer the torture which they infict upon
him, nor the criticism of citizens who ex-
pected something better Of him.
The fact is that, outside of that portion Of
the city affairs which comes under the i'm
mediate control Of Commissioner WALLER,
there has been practically no business done
since Mr.. HARRISON was inaugurated- He
himself has been engrossed with the dis
tribution Of patronage. He has been ready
to deliver public addresses on all possible
occasions, to harangue any little group OF
people who might collect about him, to hold
long and mysterious confabs with f-consti-
tuted party leaders as to the good Of the
party, and to parley with the unnumbered
legions of ofice-seekers who have pestered
ritation, which has prompted him, when he
did anything OF al, to reach hosty and Had
Vised conclusions, and act accordingly. The
carnival Of CAB that has been going on ever
since Mr.. HARRISON assumed the duties of
his Office has affected nearly all branches of
the city service. The Common Council,
over which he presides, has been more like o
boys debating society than like meeting Of
the directors of great municipal corpora
ton. The result is that the public business
lags. There is complaint about this from
Democrats as well as Republicans who are
Interested in the City Government as busi-
ness institution. Had MIR. HARRISON settled
down to the duties Of his Office quietly and
as HEATH did, instead Of allow
ing ward-bummers and party hacks to con-
sumo his time, neither he nor his friends
would now have occasion to lament over the
criticism of his Administration
which is heard on all sides. i
Another conspicuous feature Of Mayor
HAnR1soN's Administration is the growth of
icentiousness and the increased imperinence
If the lawless classes. He was spurred on
to take personal notice and attempt partial
:eform Of the low dives of State and Clark
streets, which the press had exposed and