The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-26
EVILS OF CITY POLITICS.

Tt cannot be denied that the two
great political organizations in New
York City have largely lost public conf
dence and that thoughtful citizens have
ceased to look to either as an instru
ment through which to secure good ad-
ministraton of old laws, or the enact
ment of measures of reform. The ex-
posure of the corruption OF the county
democracy leaders in the aqueduct con-
tract. the disclosures of the bribery of
republicans and democrats in the board
of aldermen in the Broadway railroad
matter, and now the bringing to light
of the peccadilloes of Grant and Croker,
the Tammany leaders, show that the
old organizations are in bad way and
need publication by defeat. But how
shall this be accomplished? The Rev.
r, Heber Newton, in series of four
sermons on the problems of municipal
government, strongly favors the idea of
a non partisan administration. He pro-
poses that hereafter nominations shall
be made not by politicians, but by dele
gates representing the business ex-
changes. trades unions and similar Or
PLANTATIONS. He bases his arguments
on the success of government by guilds
in the cities of Europe in former times.
London in the past has been governed
by guilds of goldsmiths, stationers, bar
beers, tishmongers and other organiza-
lions, in which membership conferred
the right of citizenship. Down to the
present day the lord mayor of London is
elected by these trade organizations
from among the aldermen, although
since 1867 householders have partici-
pated in the election of the aldermen
There are seventy-six of these guilds
still in existence. some of them repre-.
senting trades that are now extinct
OF course Mr.. Newton's project is {
fanciful dream. We cannot 60 back t.
the old order of things. Democracy i
the ultima thule of the human race, ant
with all it's confessed evils, once it is en-
joyed by people, they will never give
up TO return to form of government il
which the individual surrenders hi
right of free action to an organiZatlo
or guild. It is true that the individu;
is merged in the mass, and the mass
welded by bold and Inscriptions me
for their own aggrandizement. But tn
guild, which perhaps worked very we
in medieval times, Mr.. Newton woul
soon find, would be manipulated by tn
Crolers and Grants, and Platts an
Quays of our day. 1t is difficult to sa
where the remedy can be found for tt
bad condition of affairs that undoub
edly exists in New York. AS in tt
DAYS of Tweed, SO now the politic
knaves know no distinction Of party ar
band together for the purpose of COZ
mon plumber Ii the republicans 6
some OF the fat municipal offices, tn
share the spoils with Tammany bose
and when Tammany wins an Eclectic
certain favored republicans continue
tap the public till. Perhaps a either
movement which should nominate +
mayor an independent man of hi
! character and resolute will would
the best means of correcting the ext!
ing abuses. The danger from such
movement, however, would be that
would draw strength in a large degr
from one of the old parties or the 9TH
and perhaps be the means of placing
the mayors chair the worst candidate
three. We take no stock in Mr.. Ne
tons scheme for a non partisan admin
tration. Government by party is
best, but sometimes movement o.
side of the regular organizations
force the old parties to do their dt
accomplishes the sought-for result
better government.