Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-16
PHILADELPHIA.
THE COMMITTEE OF ONE HUNDRED
AND THEIR HERCUlEAN lAB0RS
What They Have Done and What They Pro-
pose to AccompIish-Weeding Out the
RascaIs-How Millions Of the Peo-
pies Money Has Been Stolen
Pertinent Points.
PROSPECTS FOR A THOROUGH REFORM.
Special Correspondence orthe Register.

than year ago, with the OBJECT Ill view OI
reforming the municipal government of
the staid old Quaker City, it was evident
that Herculean labor was before them.
The great Amy of office-holders living in
luxury upon the money wrung from tax
ridden people, together with the vast con-
course of ''heelerS," strikers and "Mul-
hoOlies," to whom were given the rich
drippings from the political cornucopia for
their valuable services, greeted the advent
of the reformers with sneers. They re-
ferred to the committee as lot OF "lah-da-
dah, highly
Aesthetical and Theoretical Fellows"
whom they deemed as competent to handle
things political as it weuld be for Digger
Indian to fulfill the duties of a Justice OF
the Supreme Court of the United States.
They laughed and looked upon the or
ganization as a huge joke, which would
soon languish, and in the immediate future
be a subject for the versifying talent of the
Ledger's obituary poet. But they were
mis- taken,
EgregiousIy Mistaken.
They had entirely counted without their
host Mayor Stokely, for three successive
terms of three years EACH the official head
of Pennsylvania metropolis, was nomina-
ted by the regular Republicans for fourth
term. A copy of the declaration of prin-
cipleS" OF the centum-virate was given him
for his signature, and in the
event of signing he would have
received their endorsement. He heSitated
and finally refused to append his scrawl.
Select Councilman Samuel &. King, life
long Democrat, was nominated for the pos
ition by his party. He signed the declara
ton of principles and was endorsed by the
reformerS. George G.. Pierce, a young jour.
naliSt, and Secretary of the Commercial
Exchange, was nominated by the regular
Republicans for Receiver OF Taxes. ludi-
vidually he was first-ClasS in every respect,
but he cmenated from the Ring" In the
language of Rudolph Blankenburg, one of
the CenturionS: In the shadow of Mr..
Pierce was the well known fea-
lures of Boss Rowan. the tall sycamore
John Hunter in the field and the ball
opened. The contest was one of the live
liest ever held in this city, and the slogan
of "King and Hunter and Reform" aroused
the Slumbering freemen, and the peoples
choice were triumphantly elected.
The ''Bosses' Were Amazed.
They saw the handwriting on the wall, and
trembled worse than old Belshazzer. The
day of retribution had come. Mayor King,
true to his pledges, prohibited the police,
power in politics, from participating any
longer, and thus removed a powerful
aid from the bosses. Hunter, typifying
his name began hunting through the re-
cords of the tax office, and his inveStiga-
tions disclosed the fact that during the
high old days of ring rule robbing i'll that
department had been rampant Thousands
of dollars found their wUy into the pockets
of the gang instead Of the city treasury. 1t
was glorious time for the boys, and they
took advantage of it.
Even the Clerks,
taking the cue from their snPerio9rysh lihcft
ollss i.,Nl, ~| .SiI. .'' H'Vsv TiuV'' SI'c'
was q cold day when n clerk couldn't bag
$50" Enormous steals have not yet been
developed, but they are bound to come.
How is it, the curious taX-pay-
er asks, that man VINO
fills public office for a few years at
a salary of $500 per annum, can become
large stockholder in various corporations
and live in the grandcst style the remain
der of his life. 1t is being done to the
knowledge of your correspondent: as
are many more peculiar thlhSS
connected with the municipal government
of Philadelphia. Being in position which
brings me in daily contact with the Com
mittee of One Hundred. l am fully aware
of its workings. Since its inception have
carefully observed its progress, step by
step. and from all indications it Will not
lay down the cudgel until
Every Department
of our municipal governments is thoroughly
purified and regenerated. One of the great
and important aids to the centuri-
ons in their work has been
Robert T. Patteson, the Democratic
city controller, and who is known as the
watchdog of the city treasury" A little
bird whispers to me that it may be that
controller Patteson will be the Democratic
nominee to succeed the bucolic Hoyt in the
Gubernatorial chair. In that event, depend
upon it, that the Republican city OF Phlla-
delphia will give him majority. And,
whewl how the bosses would quake with
fear if he was elected. The reason is obyi-
Gus. The centurions are now engaged i'll
perfecting an organization in every ward
in the city, to be in readiness for the cleo
ton of councilmen in February next.
They will endorse the best men without
regard to party affiliations There is fun
ahead, but il will be too utterly utter, too,
too funny to be appreciated by the Ring
sters and their satellites.
Pertinent Points.
Holiday trade is lust q booming and
the outlook is favorable for it being the
largest for years.
Philadelphia has taboocd cobble stones
and rubble for paving the streets i'll the
future. Belgian blocks will be used.
The electric light on Chestnut street
| from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, has
been in operation for several nights past
1t is voted u success.
Prominent West VirginianS pay frequent
-. ~ hnnnraI
week by Ex-Governor Henry NJ. Mathews,
| Col, George L. Peyton, of the Saratoga OF
| the South" and Hon. J. W. Davis.
The new Record building adjoining the
new POStoffice, is an elegant structure, and
| will be ready for occupancy in couple OF
months. 1t is probable that Sunday edi-
ton Of the paper will be issued when it
| gets into the new quarters.
The Pennsylvania Railroad is running
| all trains from the new station at Broad
! and Market streets, over the elevated road.
| The old depot at Thirty.second and Market
has been abandoned. The new station and
| its equipments are the most conplete and
I finest in the, world.
| There is talk of a new two-cent morning
paper being started. Ii will De Stalwart
| Republican in politics. The only draw
back is the trouble tosecure the Associated
Press news. 1t is intimated that they con-
template making an effort to purchase the
Inquirer, thus securing that valuable fran
chise. But tina. journal is not in the mar
ket.
In the death of Colonel Forney, Phiia.
delphia loses one of its greatest men and
brightest journalists. 1t was only short
| time since that saw him arm-in-srm with
ex-Speaker Randall, walking on Chestnut
street looking as hale and hearty as could
be. Now he is gone. W. 7. 7.
| Last OF Old Yronsides-
i Nr,r Nnnr nacnr,, bar Il n-EriVata I,nn-