Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-17
TERMS OF THE DISPATCH
PITTsBURG. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY IL.
TWELVE PAGES
THE LESSON OF THE ELECTION

1t was assumed on all sides from The
first that the City Hall administration peo
pie would carry majority of Councilmer
vesterday-this because of their organiZa
ton, their determination and their CON-
mand of the ward workers, including, OF
course, a great many of the city employees
1t always has been and always will he the
case that unless organization begins be-
fore agitation mere prediction ardori
however well based and justified, will
not win extensive victories. But, not.
withstanding the superior resources of the
city administration people, it is gratifying
to know that popular sentiment sue
ceeded in securing the return Of Mr. O'Don-
nell in the Sixteenth, Mr. Wainwright in
the Fifteenth, Mr.. Ferguson in the
Seventeenth and Messrs. Baum and
Stewart in the Twentieth wards.
The independent course of at
least one of the above and the independ-
ence sure to be shown by the others make
their presence in Councils desirable. 1t
would have been to the interests of the
city, as heretofore pointed out, if the
minority had been increased a great deal
more.
However, it will be a tremendous mis-
take to assume that the agitation, even if
it had not borne fruit in the election of
Councilmen, is lost. On the contrary, it
must have good effect None recognize
better than skilled politicians that diSsat-
isfaction when widely diffused among the
taxpayers is capable of being organized
10 ho
men elected yesterday there must be some
who, even if they ran under City Hall
auspices, are by no means so far COM
mitted to any policy there as to be
unable to recognize the timeli-
ness and force of the criticisms
which have been called forth by
the extravagant estimates of the Chiefs
for the present year. The local leaders of
the party will be foolish indeed if they
take no account of this They have seen
that the citizens are willing to pay for eff
cient but not extravagant service, and if
they are to maintain their hold they must
give proper regard TO criticisms sup
ported by the facts and offered in good
faith They know that persistent disSatis-
faction would eventually lead to peTma-
nent and successful organization against
them.
The DISPATCH judges, therefore, that
notwithstanding the usual victory in point
of numbers for the regulars, attention
will be paid to the demands for stricter
economy. 1t expects that the obnoxious
estimates will be reduced, and that a good
many, if not indeed a majority, of the
men who were yesterday chosen, with the
help of the City Hall administration, will
be found voting when the ordinance comes
up for appropriations more closely based
upon actual needs, and not exceeding the
total of last years expenditures. In fact
we should think that, considering the light
which has been thrown on the question
during the canvass, the Interruptions
to business in Pittsburg by building trades
strikes, financial difficulties during the
year, and the necessity for calling halt in
expenses which have increased so rapidly,
the Chiefs themselves will see the wisdom
of cutting the city coat according to the
amount Of cloth the taxpayers can furnish
without sense of oppression. This is at
least the spirit which the public would
like to see among City Hall officials, who,
if they want to make the most of their op-
portunity, will gracefully recognize it.