New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-03
THE ISSUE OF THIS CAMPAIGN.
PROFESSOR FELIX ADLER DEFINES IT TO A
LARGE AUDIENCE AT CHICKERING HALL.


Chickering Hall was again crowded yesterday morn
Ing when Professor Felix Adler delivered his second
address on The Issues of the Municipal Campaign.
Notwithstanding the fact that the professor deprecates
any manifestation OF applause at the meetings Of the
Society OF Ethical Culture. there hearty applause
at several climaxeS Of his address Yesterday. In his
previous address Professor Adler dealt with the mme-
date local issues which the Peoples Municipal
League movement is based Yesterday he discussed
the present reform movement necessity for safety
and progress In the future. The address in sub
stance as follows:
Il shall begin by referring 10 the point al which
closed last Sunday-the necessity OF proper municipal
pride When VIC look from the present passing con.
troversy TO the greater problems beyond we become
convinced that the cultivation OF proper civic pride
the only true solution Of the difficulty. In ancient
Greece the wellbeing of the ranked higher than
family affection Municipal pride per1neated the very
atmosphere of Greek thought. 1t is the absence OF
that element to-day that should awaken profoundly
serious thought. Who OF us takes pride in ew-York
This city is CroeSus. II does boast and can boast
only OF its wealth and size. But il lacks public life.
It's libraries Inferior its schools backward and
Of its politics the less said the better. To many OF
our best citizens the public life Of this town seems
bad that they think II not worth while TO attempt s
improvement. In these days the city has declined and
the Nation and National issues in the foreground.
Ii exactly the Of the condition of our country
100 years ago.
Il ascrlbe the change to three main causes First,
the influence OF democratic institutions, which tend
10 l.omQgeneity and under which State lines are in
great measure obteratcd second to the fact that orr
National issues largely material and pecuniary.
thus appealing 10 the physical welfare Of all indi-
vduals and third TO party system Another vitiat
ing is the feeling that Oce shall be held as re-
wards FOR political services. To-day New York City
enjoying lucid interval Two years hence the coun-
in, N.ffou
good-by to municipal reform Many will ask then
why should We put forth such efforts if we know
beforehand their fruits will be lost In National struggle
We answer. put in a as MAYOR who we know
will favor reform and make necessary radical changes in
our city government And here desire again 10 utter
an earnest protest against the first clause of The re-
form creed in which ii is stated that municipal gov
eminent is business and not politics. That is a half
trnth that is virtual falsehood.
- Municipal government has its business side hut
If has its true political side well Without politics
no government can 60 on What want il not less
but more politics, good politics, high for low politics
Politics are questions Of public policy Are there.
then no questions Of public policy in city govern
Geaet from the National parie. Thn Sesien y.
the limit Of education In the public schools the care
OF the INDECENT and sick the houses OF correction and
reform are matters cf public polcy-sre politics and
must be 80 treated such questions lead 10 Others Of
deeper moment-of the limit state int ference OF
the public instead Of private control OF the means "
rapid transit and other great improvements OF the
absolute equality Of taxation and the establishment
in The contest men Of ability and honor will be- rad
10 serve the city. Government Is an art II cannot
le Gained By intuition. The government Of cities s
especiay important for cities are the points
of the Nation. They are the places In which repub-
Ican institutions have hitherto failed They must not
fail or the Nation must fall
Hence you the reason for the intense interest
in thi, municipal reform movement The life Of the
Nation Is at stake We are living at time OF low ebb
in American politics. Have patience and the tide
Will There viii again be great issues. greater
than the past has known. Enter into the de
tails OF municipal reform and you wiz be ready for
the National strife Attend 20 the questions OF reform
that demand your attention now, and you win be the