New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-13
PENNSYLVANIA INTERESTS.
A NEW CHARTER FOR PHILADELPHIA.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SUPPLY IMPROVEMENTS
BUSINESS TOPICS.
[rRoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF The IfBUNhl
PHILADELPHIA, April 1.-THE last week
WAS given up in politics, mainly TO meetings and dis
cussons for and against the proposed new city charter
commonly known the Bullitt bill Ii has developed
very singular political combinations. throwing together
ultra-reformers and leading machine politicians in way
never known before in local politics Large meetings
have been held for and against the passage OF the bill
and each side busy trying prove that 1t truly repre-
cents reform and that the opposition is OF the bosses, by
the bosses and for the bosses Meanwhile the bill hangs
fire in the Senate and 1t is doubtful If it can pass
The principal objection is not so much to
the bill itself which originally regarded as strong
reform and opposed by most OF the party
leaders but because OF the fact that the powers which
st confers would be exercised by the present Mayor
Probably the bill amended so as 10 become opera
tive under the next Mayor could be passed without
much opposition, although there are good many large
taxpayers who object to the passage by the Legislature
Of any act materially affecting the governing of this city
without providing that such act shall first be
submitted TO the approval or disapproyal OF
the votes of the taxpayers OF this city.
The city poticans are strongly against the passage Of
the bill and this brings McManes Leeds aud others
shoulder shoulder with their old opponents, the re-
mains of the Committee Of One Hundred aud the reform
element of all shades.
TO Mr. RandaPs Illness as IL is not considered worth
while now TO move in any important National matters
without his approval and aid. II is stated in Demo
cratic circles that action he taken Colonel
enovden, whose term is not fixed will be replaced by a
Democrat in the SupernendeDey OF the Mint and that
Marshal Kerns is to be removed for cause and his
place given to a prominent Democrat The remaining
Federal officers except the Appraiser, whose term is not
fixed are TO remain until their commissions expire and
then TO be replaced by Democrats This is very dis
leartening 10 the Democracy, but In the expressive
language OF OF their leaders when lamentng 1t
the other evening there to be no help for H."
Spring is coming, and the boys are occupying the side
walks with their whip-tOps, the baseball season has
opened aud the circus IS here IN all its glory Fully
twenty thousand people stood along Chestnutst.
terday for an hour or more waiting for Forepaughs
parade 1t raining and showing during the parade
bill has been prepared and is now before the Legis
lature authorizing this city 10 borrow S3,000,OO0 at
81 per interest to improve the water supply OF the
city. That it needs improving, both IN qlslity
and quantity, every one admits At the same
sine, there is some opposition to the bill
from those who object TO increasing the debt OF the city,
and from others who do not desire the present sys
TEN improved but think the proper remedy L. In new
water supply altogether The bill Will probably pass
The importers and large retail merchants claim that
business Improving and Is az good as they had OK
pected for this OF the year. There have been
very few failures thus far here this season.
The health OF the city is satisfactory considering the
condition Of the streets and OF the water.