Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-10-18

n. I. Observer, referring to the lega-
cy bequeathed to that city by the
memorable Boss Tweed, very forcibly
says: zone would think that city be-
ing fined million and quarter of dol
lars through the dishonesty Of her Off
Gals would be cautious in the choice Of
her magistrates hereafter. In the gold
en- age, when Boss Tweed ruled the
great city ofNew York, among bis
other rascalities be made dishonest
contract for the supply OF the city
with water meters. The city refused
to pay for them on the ground of
fraud in the contract and worthless
ness of the articles when furnished.
The Court of Appeals has decided
the case and the city is doomed to
pay $l,25O, 900, principal aud inter-
est.
"Well, that is bad, very bad, and
already overburdened taxpayers will
have to take this fresh load on their
backs and stagger along under it as
best they can. Two good results
ought to come out of this crime and
calamity.
"The city should look out and put
decent, honest men into her public
Offices. The prostration of any COM
munity at the dirty feet of unscrupu-
lous politicians is humiliating and
fearful. Once in great while spasm
of virtue or of fear seizes good people
and they make desperate effort to
shake off the curse, but the CONFUSION
soon passes over and the patient lies
quiet again under the dorninion of its
masters. This enormous sum of
money now to be paid, ought to be
lesson to be remembered at least one
year. But we fear it will be forgot
ten before the next frost
another lesson is that legal debt
must be paid, hard as it is to do it,
and unjust as it is in moral point of
view. The highest court has affirmed
the obligation and we must stand up
to the rack, and do the thing that is
right. In other words, the thought
of REPUTATION, or evasion, or delay,
or squirming out of the debt, must
never enter the mind of New YORK
gentleman. Not for the example to
others, not to have the applause of
the world, not for the sake of getting
credit hereafter, but because it has
been decided that the obligation exists,
let it be met instantly, and paid to
uttermost farthing.
at may be said it is too small g
matter to make such fuss about.
But it amounts to tax of.one dollar
on the head of each man, woman and
child in this city, and that in addition
to the two dollars and more already
imposed. This is something. 1t is q
great hardship, and its memory should
serve to warn Us to be wise and pre-
vent such outrages in time to come"
This is lesson not only applicable
to New York, but to every city and
county in this State. where elections
Of Importance affecting the interests
Of the taxpayers are concerned. We
could not be too careful insshe election
Of our public servants-those especi-
ally who ere to hold positions of pro-
ct and trust. They should be Sc
lected with the same caresand precau-
ton that the business man would SCI
lect bis employee for his ability, for
his integrity, his fitness fQr the posi-
ton. If this rule was Adhered to,
there would be less squrndering Of
the peoples money, and us continual
burden ol taxation. TAere IS too
much seeking after the ioaves and
fishes nou-a.dayz in tbs selection q
our public officers. and tosalissIe atten
tion i paid I'd che dienit and honor
4 ~ AK xxxs< ..s s{sSSs1tsEa~ .&.ss.24.