Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-30
Editor.

That there should exist in those portions
or the United States supposed to be most
highly civilized monarchs whose power ex-
ceeds that of those who automatically rule
In lands beyond the seas Is one of the most
astounding features of that something
which is enthusiastically but often erro-
neously designated "a free government"
1t Is a condition that should be impossible.
but IL hourishes exceedingly. and attains a
rank and noxious growth which to the de-
cent majority must soon become insuffsr-
able. The two most striking examples of
"bossisn" are to be found in the cities of
New York and Brookiyn-at the nations
eastern and greatest gateway. Very mauy
people who imagine themselves to be reas-
onably well informed as to American affairs
have but faint idea of the methods by
which public business Is conducted in the
municipalities named. and 1t is to these
reputable but unsuspecting people that
Harper's Weekly addresses itself with
proper frequency. in the hope that reform
may result. In its late issue the journal
of Civilization discusses "Our Kings" and
In the doing thereof tells some indisputable
but unsavory truths. In those great cities
of enormous wealth and business activity.
says the Weekly. the students of political
institutions who visit this country in tais
civilized people profuse in professions of
public spirit and patriotism. and the ma
chinery of popular seif-government in per-
feet completeness and. apparently, in con-
slant operation. They will observe at the
same time that taxes are high. that the
expenditures of public money run to fabu-
lous amounts in proportion 10 the public
work done. and that the men in official
position administering public interests are
mostly in point of character. far from being
such as would be intrusted by prudent
man with the management of his private
affairs. In fact. in many cases. uniting in
themselves conspicuously the qualities
which should exclude anyone possessing
them from places Of trust and RESPONSE
bility."
Very naturally the foreign students Will
ind IL extremely difficult 10 understand the
inner workings of a system that now oper-
ates in almost every city of prominence in
the United States. the city of Washington
being a conspicuous exception The boss.
as a rule, is without official position and
cannot be held to anything but personal
accountability. Yet his power seems TO be
limitless ard revolts against the force he so
despotically exercises are few and invari-
al bly, futile As the Weekly says: The polit-
teal organizations at the head of which they
tthe bosses) stand hold primaries and con-
yentions ard nominate candidates for office
But the candidates to be nominated have
been selected beforehand by the boss The
people go to the polls and vote, but the
well organized forces OF the boss directly or
indirectly aided by his allies in other parties
blindly obey his will and elect the candi-
dates designated by him" This power is
carried TO an extreme. Through his instru-
ments-the superior officerS-are appointed
the many suhordinates and only in obedi-
ence to his orders do the boards OF alder
men and common councils grant or refuse
privileges petitioned for by individuals or
corporations. In New York and Brooklyn
the rule OF the boss is absolute and yet
there are in those places thousands of intel
ligent men who really imagine that popular
Enforcement prevails. That 1t pays to
be boss in the cities named is daily ev-
idenced and yet the sources from whence
the boss obtains his princely income are
concealed from the gaze of those who
should know all about the workings OF the
government for whose support they are so
taxed. Public money is will
fully sauandered TO support those who have
contributed to the enthronement and MAIN
tsnance OF a species of monarchy; monar-
chy which has not even the deceptive pre-
tence Of splendor and prestige. which nobody
can serve without shame. and which has
nothing to give but the booty of the public
robber; a monarchy disgustingly vulgar in
the viciousness of its aims and methods as
well as In its personnel And yet there are
those in Washington who clamor for a
change in our municipal condition, which,
without giving the full rights of Amer
lean citizens. would break down the existing
municipal safeguards and make bossism in
this city possibility.