The record-union., 1893-12-18
War ON ThMMANY.
Reformed Democrats and Republicans
on the Warpath.
The Sachems and Braves of Tammany
Have No Fears of the
Result.


Regular Correspondence of RECoRD-UNIoN.l
NEW YORK, Dec. "a sense OF ex-
pectant uneasiness and a feeling OF grave
disquietude prevails throughout all the
strata of the metropolitan life. 1t is more
than the usual activity of winter; it has
less than the accustomed spirit of light
hearted eagerness. For while there is
full measure of discomfort, that feeling IS
not bred in misery. 1t is most evident
in the upper, not in the lower classes, ana
is therefore curbed and reflected about.
But the exercise of restraint and the
probability of deliberation IN action
makes only the more substantial the fore
bodings of the men and evils threatened.
DR.. Parkhursts crusade against the po-
lice is only begun, and has commenced
only on one of the modes of dishonesty
which he aims at destroying. In the
shadow of his aggressive campaign are
the less evident enemies Of social and po-
htical evils, such as the quiet men who
form the City improvement Society ana
the semi-polltical city clubs. Both these
groups are also secretly or unobtruslvely
busy. And the Com mittee OF FIFTY OF the
New York Bar Association, the organlZ-
ers of the New Democracy and the Re
formed Republican party all are hard at
work planning TO alter, remedy or annl-
hilate the extra-legal political and social
institutions which have grown up TO
Weed-like size and strength.
All of these various parties OF attack
have tasted victory, and that is the I'M
mediate source of new determination and
fresh confidence. Parkhurst has good
case against Police Captain Owen; but
more than that, he mas Indirectly brought
about a general Encouragement of the
police service, which has been followed
by radical change of the police policy
against the social evil. The City I'M
provement Society for two years has been
pursuing city officials, demanding the
execution of laws and ordinances relative
to street and sidewalk membranes, the
removing of garbage and filth, the relay
ing Of pavements by gas, water and car
companies, ETC., and the society has lately
obtained recognition and some obedience.
The City Club is supporting those OF it's
members who are prosecuting men tor
illegal voting, and many cases have been
well prepared.
But more general as a cause of this
healthy unrest and more potent as a
source of courage, is the political success
OF the decent man" in the late election.
This helps indirectly the two bodies al
ready named and the City Club, which
represents and consists of citizens OF sim
gle purposes, and stands as club over
party machine. The Lawyers Committee
of Fifty and the Fairchild Democratic
Committee both owe their whole exist
ence and all their hope to the success OF the
anti-slate machine in October. Repu bill
cans of honorable and public-spirited
motives likewise believe that this is the
time to make their party a fit resort for
the minority, which floats and eventually
decides political fortunes.
The places, however, when the clearest
notion of the seriousness of the situation
is to be got, are the machine and police
headquarters. There one misses the GUS
tOmary sneers at reforms and hears the
echoes of secret and well-attended coun-
ellis, where measures Of defense are dis
cussed. The policy of the police for con-
tending against their enemies is already
defined approximately by their acts
They made a great sacrifice of pride
when they transferred their officers and
men in the face of Parkhurst's attack;
but they embarrassed the reverend
doctor, by rendering it necessary for him
to throw away evider ce against captains
accumulated at great cost Of time and
labor, and to wait for the results of the
impulsive display of energy. Their
strongest faith, however, Is in the out
cry which may be raised by the people,
when they find that raids on disordeTly |
houses Will only distribute the inmates |
over its streets and among better class !
houses in neighborhoOds heretofore re-
spectacle. Byrnes has tried several times |
to have me write sensational account |
of the appearance of the streets at night |
since the tenderloin district has been SUBJ |
jected to the cleaning process. His pur-
pose was very evident, and his hints and
offers of help, only betrayed his plan.
Political parties are in no such satis-
factory position as are the police. They
cannot act at all. until next fall. Mean
while they can but wait, be cautious in
their conduct of offices and let the storm
gather and burst if it will. Tammany is
threatened but, while its leaders do not
oeSpise the movements against them,
they do not fear them. They respect the
widespread resentment against certain
acts and abuses, but they know too well
the absence of political skill and practical
methods on the part of the leaders of re-
form, and last of all, and solidest Of ALL
they know they are protected from vio-
lence by the apathy Of New Workers,
who, as community, viii not rise up and
wreck even an institution known to be |
corrupt without explicit and detailed
proof of crime. And the politicians of
New York have learned to cover their
tracks with wonderful thoroughness.
Nevertheless there is present every
where among the uneasy citizens a set
determination to try and do something of
lasting effect before the season is over.
Particular evils will be aimed at, but just
as Parkhurst says that he is not an enemy
OF the social evil, but of the police and
finally, as the root of all evil, of Tam
many ITSELF so all these groups of indig-
nant, planning men are after the great
machine which is intrenched behind so
many municipal wrongs. What gives
the uneasiness its general all-pervading
character. however, is the Consciousness
on the part of the civic doctors that they
have heavy task on their hands, one
at which they often have failed, and
which, when carried out, has ruined indi-
viduals, not the organization. This
spreads over all the sense of doubt and
uncertainty and fosters deliberaJion.
Complete success is almost impossible
a reorganization of the police may be
achieved, the downfall OF some leaders
may be consummated, many minor and
superficial evils may be corrected, but
there is nothing done or planned as yet