Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-02-13
THECONTEST IN LANCASTER.
An Independent View of 1t.


Philadelphia Times to-day.
The people of Lancaster city will elect a
mayor and other municipal officers on
Tuesday next, and the repeated and humi-
liating lessons recently given of the desper-
ate and corrupt political domination of the
county, that now seek to possess the same
power in the city, attracts considerable in
terests to the mayoralty contest. There is
one insuperable obstacle to corrupt rule in
Lancaster city, and that obstacle in Mayor
John T. MacGonigle. Until he shall be
removed, there is steady and peremptory
halt called on protligacy whenever it at
tempts its march over the domain of the
shiretown of the Old Guard. Mayor Mac
Gonigle was chosen to his present
responsible position by the better
men of both parties, and his
administration has so fully vindicated
the wisdom of the choice, that the ring
stcrs must defeat him or submit to another
two years of thoroughly honest and eco
nomical control of city affairs. He is
gentleman Of culture, dignity and inde-
pcndence, and has stubbOrnly refused to
subordinate public interests to party or
faction. His election to councils in Re-
publican ward resulted in such an accept
able record that he was made mayor sole
ly for the purpose of securing good order
in the community and fidelity in public
trust and he has SO sternly resisted the
plunderers of all sides, that their Occupa-
tions have dropped out of municipal af-
fairs. He has not been a mere theorist on
the issue of reform, but he has invoked the
law and hewed to the line in pro-
tecting the interests of the taxpayers. He
has stopped the reckless increase of
needless appropriations he has ended all
expenditures for which the money has not
been previously provided; he had all city
supplies furnished by the lowest bidder
he has dismissed unworthy policemen
without asking whether they we're Demo-
Gratis or Republicans he has defeated the
undue increase of taxes, and he has been
faithful in all things pertaining to his public
trust. He has extorted from the oppO-
sition partisan organs their praise for his
fidelity, and there can be no Opposi-
ton to his reelection except on the
ground that it is incOnvenient and
Improbable for the Republican leaders
to have him continued as mayor.
If the Republicans had nominated can.
didate against Mayor acGonigle of equal
public integrity and freedom from partisan
control, it would he a matter of little mo.
ment to the people of Lancaster city which
might be elected but they have not done
so. Mr.. John A. Boring is the opponent
of Mayor MacGonigle, and a glance at his
record and his political surroundings read.
, lily defines the purpose of his nomination.
: Mr.. Boring has served in councils and has
been the supporter of profligacy for
the benefit of partisans, while Mayor Mac
! Gonigle has been its unflinching opponent
He is gentleman of fair reputation, and
is not branded as plunderer, but he is
one of the many weak men who serve
jobbcrs better than they can serve them
selves. He was elected to councils by the
methods common with the machine, and
expects to be elected mayor in the usual
!. way. He has uniformly favored extrava.
gance and jobs in councils because his
l friends have demanded it, and he stood out
bravely for an increased tax-rate because
Mayor MacGOnigle would allow no illega
increase of the city debt and there was
not enough plumber to go around. He
was nominated by the men who snccl
: at reform, and who regard public money
l as legitimate prey for the best worker.
in the ward" Michael Snyder carried hi
ward for him, went as a delegate to pro-
,, mote his nomination, and was ready t(
, shout with delight when Boring wa.
T. chosen. As Mayor MacGonigle formally
protested against political interference will
| the maintenance of law and order, whel
f the disOrderly house of the Snyders cOul(
not be brought within the reach of justice
: : the lawless, who can make politicians cow
: er because they are the best workers il
, the ward" will make common cause will
: the advocates of profigate government
P against Mayor MacGonigle's reelection.
Under the peculiar formation of TIN
wards in Lancaster city, the Republican!
can easily retain control of councils, ever
against Democratic popular majority
and the experience Of the last two years
has demonstrated that division of {
political power is a most wholesome CHECK
upon misrule. Every intelligent voter O
Lancaster can well understand what BOr
ing administration would be with Boring
, councils, and there are few well-meaninG
citizens of any party, who will not appre
ciate the wisdom of saving their city from
a discreditable and wasteful government
by the reelection of Mayor MacGonigle
His success will be no party triumph il
will be the victory of honesty and faithful