Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-02-16
Eanraster Es.tcil:genrer.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEB. II, 1881.
The End of Boss Rule.

The LnO OF BOSS kules
The election III Philadelphia is hope |
full promise TO the people of coming re-
lease from "boss'' rule. The handwriting |
has appeared on the wall which orders
bosses to the rea:, and its emphasis af-
fords a gratifying proof of the vigOr OF
democratic institutions. The same feel
ing which has aroused the people Of Phil
adelphia to show their power and exc
cute their will is prevalent through the
state, as is demonstrated in the very
remarkable contest now waging at Har-
risburg against the same dominion. The
Republican party has been for many
years in power in the city and the state,
kept there by men who administered it
for their profit, and who entrenched
themselves in power in ways that were as
effective as they were dark. The ballot
box seemed to be no obstacle to them,
and they defantly followed their meth
DDS, believing that they were more pow
erful than the people as they were,
until the people aroused as it did not
seem they were likely to do, 50 long-suf-
fering have they been. But the time has
come, after the strain Of a great national
election has passed away and the Re-
publican party has secured its fortune
in the nation for another term. that
it's members have found themselves
freed from the eXacting claim of party
allegiance, and with minds ready not
only to scrutiniZe the oppressive conduct
of the party bosses but prepared to rc-
sist them. Tie Philadelphia uprising
against the ring was famed into fame
hy agitation against the long standing
grievances in the management OF the
city affairs, notably the gas office AMI
the lax Office. which often had been ap-
pealed to in vain. The bold stand taken
by Il number OF prominent Republican
citizens, aided as they were by candidates
ready to their hand who expressed the
hot feeling prevalent among the citizens
against their bosses, suiiiccl in this of
year il politics to attach a sufficient Re
publican element TO the Democratic
nucleus, to win the city from those who
have 50 long and 50 steadily held it in
possession. These men are utterly
routed. The Democratic party which
broke away from some of its trusted
leaders, and some who were not so well
trusted, has entitled itself to the admi-
ration of all lovers Of their cOuntry's in
StitutiOnS. 1t threw itself into the
movement. Notwithstanding its alliance
hal in the first instance been stupidity
and unpatriotically spurned 10y the conf
mittce OF Republicans who desired to
make the movement of reform within
theil party lines. 1t was not until they
found that they were of no account at
all without Il Democratic alliance that
they sought it, and we say it was most
creditable to our party, and entirely de-
monslrative of its desire for municipal
reform, that it then embraced the o tfer,
and accepted as its candidates = Repub-
lican and \ Democrat pledged against
partisanship. by its hearty support of
these two men they have been elected !;
even the Democratic element in the
Fourth ward, controlled 10y William Nc
Mul!in, seems to have acquiesced in the
nearly unanimous Democratic sentiment
which demanded the support OF King and
Hunter; for that ward has contributed
to their majority.
The Republican part of tie coalition
was not as faithful to It's pledge as the
Democratic. since Hunter 5 vote far eX-
ceeds Kings, who is yet elected. Tie
Democratic candidate for solicitor WAS
sacrificed by the hesitation of the small
Democratic element that resisted tie
combination and which held out long
enough to make its weakness oh
viOus and t. prevent the necessity
being apparent to the Republican
reformerS to c3ncilate the Demo-
cratic vote by putting Worreli on the
ticket. 1t was manifest that the cause
of reform would carry our voters to its
candidates and that they did not need
any bribe or other consideration.
The influence of this result will lie
widespread. 1t will control in the future
the politics of the state. The bosses are
retired. The people have said what they
will do about it {: and have done it and
will keep on doing it.