The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-12-20

the purpose OF orsterlans = .'illlAa -
Congressman to vote against the
principal Democratic measure hen
pending III the House Of Represents
tives, whose sole object now and fol l
several years past has been to control
tie State and municipal governments
for the pecuniary gain Of its leaders,
and whose constant ally is the Repnb-
lican boss Of the State. This, we're
peat, is unique. These modern pre-;
torians stand formore than their pre-
eecessors. Those were able to. sell
the imperial office because they had
arms in their hands; these have been
able to sell the mayoralty because
they were recognized as regular.
I,he Democratic party ought to
have no part to play in municipal
politics. Municipal business ought
not to be conducted OH lines OF Fed
eral policy, and it isto be hoped that
the union Of persons of all political
faiths in supported Mr.. Strong is a
first step towards tbs divorce of two
incongrnous mates. Tammany Hall
il a had influence in municipal poll
tics. because it's power depends upon
the continuance Of tho pclacy OF con-
Quoting municipal elections on the
lines Of party politics. Its influence
is bad not only because its leaders are
bad men, because its purposes are
criminal, but becauseit is the en-
bodiment of bad system. Tamma-
ny, under existing conditions, is the
Democratic party in New York city,
and in order to maintain good munic-
ipal government neither the Demo
cratic party nor the Republican par.
ty should have anything whatever to
do with the business of the munici-
pality.
Therefore the best interests of tbe
city are threatened by every effort te
rcorganize Tammany for the purpose
Of improving its moral tone by plac'
ing at it's head man or a company
ofmen will win tile confidence of The
voters. SO Gar as the city is con
cerncd, it is the best, if Tammany
must survive, that it shall remain IN.
der suspicion, that its leaders shall b'
subject to police surveillance; but
above all else, it is best that it die
1t is the outgrowth Ola system which {:
lies at the root Of much that is evil il
our municipal government. More
over, this prevalence of party splrl
in municipal affairs is presenting
their most difficult problem to al
who are trying the experiment o.
governing cities through democracy
The recent municipal elections II
England and Wales were a series O.
local contests between Conservatives
Liberal Unionists, Liberals, and the
Labor party, and the county coun
coIors were chosen on the issues o.
home rule, or the veto of the Lords
OF the Employers Liability bill. The
conflict against the naturalization
of municipalities is to be fought OF
both sides of the water. 1t Will bt
strenuous, and the outcome is yer,
far from being assured. But New
York will have gained much in the
strife if Tammany is kept under: L
this club of plunderers is denied the
added strength Of party royalty, par
-ty itself will be less difficult to cope
with. Between $4,000 and 10000
Democrats in this city have shown
themselves capable Of non partisan,
ship in municipal politics. If they
are arc admitted 10 4 share in the con
troll of their organization, the seeds
Of non partisanship will be sowr
where theywill bring forththe beneh
cent.crop.
1t is also forthe best interest ofth'
State and country that Tanmanl
should not bereorg gained asthe Demo
cratic party Of this city Citizens
of all parties are deeply concerned in
the characterof every party's organr
cation. A Tammany controlled
Democratic party is an evil thing fol
tile Republican as well as tor tn
Democratic citizen, for it means bae
government whenever the Democratic
party is in power By the decision 0
tAe last Democratic State convention
'rammany has the exclusive power t
elect delegates from New York city o.
State, and therefore to National con
yentions. If rrammany is to be per
mittetl TO reorganize on the basis Q
this decision, the Democrats oissN New
York city and State who helped t
dring about the downfall Of Tam nus
ny and, Hill at the recent eiecilol
will continue to be denied the RICH
to participate in the primaries am AMI
conventions oftfeir party. 'Fh Ilstc u.
As to speak for them, TO select eandl
dates for city, State, and Federal off off
ces si for them to vote forto govern then
The party which processes Democrat.
is itself now ruled by an oligarchy
by a few Of the worst men in the city
No such authority was ever before
given to a mere political club. Ane
the authority, under the present bal