Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-02-22
MuniciDal Reform.

The Philadelphia Committee of One
Hundred has again vindicated the
beauty of it's existence and the intelli-
gence and vigor of its management. 1t
supplies the political need of the town
in affording power outside the politi-
cal parties capable of controlling them
i'm the interests of the citizen. The Re
publican party, rs the dominant, suffers
from its influence; it was, in fact, the
Infamous conduct of the administration
Of this party which allied the good citi
zeDs OF the town in an organization for
their protection. The minority Demo-
cratic party has necessarily been strength
cned by its alliance with the non-parti-
san Committee of One Hundred against
the common enemy. The credit for the
victories won cannot lie claimed by the
Democrats, further than in their nomin-
alton Of good men, who deserved the
support of independent citizens :;
and they would have been very
silly to have refused to nominate
the only class of men who had chance
of election. They see now clearly that
they may achieve success by deserving
it; and we hope they will not soon for
get the lesson. The Committee of One
Hundred stands between the parties
ready to give its influence to the best
candidates of each. 1t has suffi-
ciently shown that it's influence is
worth catering for. The Republican
party is not able to seek it, because the
leaders who control it are the men whom
the committees arm is raised to strike
down. Now is the Democratic oppor-
tunity. If the Republican leaders cared
more for their party than for themselves
they would get out Of the way and let
more reputable men take charge of it,
But as their devotion. to their party is
wholly prompted by self-interest, they
will take their party down with them
when they 60 down, and give the field
to the Democracy.
To this extent it is true, us they now
declare, that the Committee of One Hun
dred is laboring in the Democratic in
terest but to the same extent it is
equally fact that they themselves
are working in the same interest. They
are the men the committee is cunning
for it allies itself with the Democrats
to achieve it's object. The only question
is whether its object is a worthy one :;
and about this there is no doubt. The
interests Of Philadelphia require the ex-
pulsion from power Of the men who con-
troll the Republican organization. If the
successful efforts put the Democrats in
power it is because the Republican lead
ers, who are obnoxious to public senti
ment, have refused to stand down and
had to be put down by Democratic and
Independent Republican coalition.
The Committee of One Hundred is
doing great work. 1t is teaching
good lesson to political bosses. 1t is de-
monstrating the power of the voter. 1t
is showing way by which the citizen
may escape being dragged at the chariot
wheels of party bosses. We may enjoy
the demonstration particularly just now,
because the water flows to our mill but
we believe VIC would applaud it were it
otherwise. There is nothing more dis
gusting than being bossed> Theoretically
we all ought to have say in our affairs.
Practically we all know we have not.
The country is run by bosses and ut
every blow they get, to whatever party
they belong, we smile.
THE attempt Of the Republicans TO