The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-21
ALDERMAN JAEHNE sENTENCED
To THE PENITENTIARY.

Judge Barrett, OF the Court OF oyer
and Terminer OF New York city, yes
terday sentenced Alderman Jaehne to
nine years and ten months imprison-
ment at hard labor in the Sing Sing
PenitentIary, he having been found
guilty of bribery and corruption in
connection with the granting OF the
right Of way, by the Board OF Alder
men, to the Broadway surface rail-
road. No more righteous and Just
sentence has ever been pasted upon
prisoner, nor was there ever as much
necessity for making an example OF
culprit as in this csse. The munich
pal history OF New York is black with
crime, almost every administration
having lis special case, some more
hideous than Others. The city, largely
controlled by corrupt men, it has hith-
erto been found impossible to max
the law felt as I rec adequate
10 the punishment OF the most
uublushing robbery. Tweed's case
was an exceptional one, but
except his incarceration there was lit
tie accomplished by it toward the
suppression OF bribery and cor
ruption and actual robbery Of the
city treasury. The reason for this is
not far to seek. The robbers be'ong
to bob political parties and they
make common cause in their agrees
sions upon the public funds and in
their defense OF their crimes and the
too's they employ. Besides, the cleo
tons are largely controlled by saloon
keepers who either select candidates
from among their own number or
dictate who shall be The candidates of
either party. Utterly conscienceless,
these men have but one idea in re-
gard TO the municipal government of
the commercial metropolis OF the
country, end that is that it exists Ms q
means of living for their supporters
and to enable them to make fortunes
bybribery and corruption. Meanwhile
the press exposes them and calls pub
lie attention 30 their rascalities al
most in vain. Occasionally there ma:
been n spasm ofrighteous indignation
as during the Tweed exposure, wher
a committee OF citizens secured thu
appointment OF Mr.. Green to manag,
the city's financial affairs, but a
that ended in heavier
expenditure Of the peoples money 10
the support OF the government thar
during the Tweed regime, the un
fortunate taxpayers have been deterre,
from any further steps in that direc
ton, and they ere sleeping on thei
rights, slumbering peacefully Will
the Jaehnes are selling great franchise
for song. Out OF this condition c
things there is no chance for Me-
York short of a complete and radios
change of government like thg
we accomplished in Memphis
a change that will utterly abolis
the wards and secure the ele'
ton of a dozen commissioner
each OF them by a majority Of th
votes OF the whole number OF votel
in the city. In this way the industr.
decency and honesty OF New Yor
might hope to triumph over ii
illiteracy, ignorance and criminalit
that has ruled to the shame and di
grace Of the greatest city of the r
public. But before that reform
attempted the punishment Of The IA
cally Jaehne's as fast as they a'e III
covered and convicted musl be col
tinued until all are dealt with by Il
law. For a time this may have
deterrent effect. But judging |
toe past, when the spesm OF virtue
excites passes away, pefhaps before
fresh crop Of thieves, the result
careful nursing by the bSsses, will
getting their work in aPd mskil