New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-26
OLE GOEERNLNG CLISSES.

Tho governing classes of this town Will be
ON exhibition in "A state of great activity during
the next two weeks No one who is at all
familiar with politics and politicians needs any
directions as to where To look for them. They
are not to be found in the city districts occupied
by citizens who have the largest interest in
maintaining good government: not among men
engaged in large and important business enter
prses the success of which depends III very
great measure upon wise legislation III Albany
and honest municipal administration; not
among the heavy taxpayers, upon whom the
burden Of corrupt and cxtravaSant expenditures
falls; not among men of intelligence. high social
position and good rcputc who should take pride
in having public affairs lntrustcd TO competent
and upright officials and who should feel 1t rs
n personal disgrace that they are committed 10
the hands of the lowest class of pothousc poll
ticlans; not among these are the governing
classes Of this town TO be found. Among these
there is little activity, no unity Of action, no
carncStncss Of purpose; hardly interest enough
indeed. in the pending election TO induce them
to register and vote. They are not reused to
action by the danger Of the State being dis
graccd by the election Of a thief 10 It's highest
court, Dor by the fact that the city lies ut the
mercy Of a corrupt organization under the rule
of IN irresponsible dictator.
But the governing classes are extremely
active You may find them in every dive ana
drinking saloon. in every gambling-h"'lse ana
poolroom. wherever thieves resort and the
vicious congrcgate. They are working up com
bnations. sending out committees. feeding
I;.,, enloui1uO ILLEGAL voters,
connecting plans for swelling their majoriics
I'm the districts where they are strong enough
70 carry things with high hand, and by every
possible means cndcavoring 10 make sure OF
the retention Of the Tammany gang In unob-
structed control Of the city and absolute power
in the State While the taxpayers are hardly
talking politics ut all in all these places
the tax consumers are talking nothing else but
politics. In every bnrr,,om il is the chief topic
and all are interested in it-proprictorS. bar
keepers, customers ana hangcrS-on Whoever
would get an idea Of the immensely Of this
force need only take a stroll through the city
and note the number Of saloons and barrooms
i'm almost every block. Every of them Is Il
source Of revenue to Tammany Hall by direct
assessment; every one a centre Of political
ing house for Tammany. Why? Simply he
cause 1t is business, and they make their living
by it.
Here are tho governing classes. Just now on
exhibition and in extreme activity. Not an en-
couraging spectacle, truly. but somewhat sus-
gcstve. Never any apathy here Never any
lack of enthusiasm. Never any slowness in
registering nor any reluctance in voting. Why
is it? Is it because of any interest they take in
National politics? Not one in ten OF them
knows anything about the great financial qucs-
ton or cares whether silver is voted up or
down. Not one in ten knows the difference be-
tween Free Trade and Protection, or the effect
of a tariff Not one in ten has any idea Of poll
tics except that Tammany supports the bar
rooms, and it is the business OF the barrooms
to support Tammany. And considerable per-
ccntage OF them do not know the names Of the
men they vote for. and cannot read the ticket
they put in the box. They vote the straight
ticket every time, though, and never scratch
name Meantime the citizens who have most
interest in good government and honest admin
istration look over the ticket opposed TO Tam
many critically and cautiously. and upon the
least cause for complaint in anything connected
with il. from the call of the primary to the ac
ccptancc Of the candidates. sulk and giImblc
and stay away from the polls. And chat Is the
reason why the governing classes are what
they are. 1t is state Of things which raises
in some minds the question whether it would
not be good politics TO repeal the excise laws
which. as they stand put 10 restriction Oh the
sale or use Of liquor, and by making the saloon
keepers Independent Of Tammany cut off at
once n tap root from which il derives an cnor
nous revenue and an immense voting force
HTERTIYEn HRGDEITN