Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-28
oNE-MAN POWER.
Ex-Mayor Hewitt Would Drive Out
Plunderers Regardless Of Politics.

Plunderers Regardless Of Politics.
Good Government Club + OF New. York
city had a formal meeting and housewarm-
ing a few nights ago in it's new quarters at
524 Hudson street. About half Of the four
hundred members were present. Ex-Mayor
Hewitt was expected TO make an address,
but he was unable TO be present and sent
the following letter, which was read by
Alfred r. Conkling. who presided.
Il am indeed sorry that 1 shall rot 10
able to attend the meeting of Good Cow
eminent Club F. have regarded the
growth OF these clubs the best evidence
which 1 have seen OF the determination on
the part of the people TO rid themselves Of
the intolerable evils TO which the muni-
cipality has been subjected by the ring
which has monopolized all the functions Of
government in this city. 1 have always
said, and 1 now repeat. that the existence
Of one-man power was more discreditatls
TO the fair fame of the City than the evils
which il has produced. We profess 60 live
under the government OF the people. and
yet for years We have allowed ourselves TO
be ruled by an autocrat. who has fsttered
himself that he was doing good service to
his fellow-citizens by relieving them from
the cares and functions of government.
Even under the most honest administration
such a state OF things would be intolerable,
because il destroys all public spirit and
undermines the very foundation Of free in
stitutions.
Orga nfsa tfea of Ctdrens.
THE first step toward reform .. for the
citizens TO organize themselves into clubs
for the preservation Of the rights and the
performance of the duties Ct good citizens.
The second step is to teach them the ma
ture Of these rights and duties. We have
been so long under the domination Of an
autocracy that the rising generation is in
danger OF losing the knowledge Of the
fundamental principles upon which our
government was founded. and upon which
IL must rest IL liberty Is 10 be preserved.
There is, and can be, no liberty without
the right to acquire property, and the prop
erty acquired by honest labor must be pro-
tected by law. When the rulers become the
violaters OF the law.and by indirect methods
appropriate to themselves the property OF
the citizens. free government has ceased
to exist.
The recent disclosures before the Senate
committee now sitting i'm this city have
demonstrated that public once has become
the means for robbing the citizens and tor
cnriching the officials. In the presence Of
this scandal partisan politics should bs
sunk in a determined and indignant effort
to drive the plundere-s from power ana to
restore the administration OF public AFFAIRS
to competent and honest hands. This il
the work which the good government cubs
can do, but in order 10 accomplish ~ they
must be prepared to cooperate with and as
far as possible TO organize movements in
tended TO purify the public service Party
fealty is n secondary consideration, and the
question should never be asked whether the
candidate for municipal Office is a rcpubii.
can or q democrat, but should be limited 10
the inquiry as to whether he is capable and
honest.
Confronted With Grave Problems.
THE spirit of reform seems 20 have been
reawakened In this country. II is certainly
time that IL should exert itself. for We live
I'm an age when the genius OF destruction In
at work undermining the well-settled prin-
ciples of order upon which the social struc-
ture rests and must continue to stand
The rising generation are confronted win
a very grave and difficult problem-no less
than the preservation OF the liberty which
was secured to them by the sacrifices and
the wisdom Of their fathers When progress
takes the form Of anarchy IL must be ar
rested at whatever cost. Violence muef bs
depressed by force. but In the meantime ~
is the bounden duty of the community 10
provide for the diffusion OF sound ideas on
the subject Of government and Of admin
istration. The Good Government Club
movement is full of promise I'm this direc-
ton. and congratulate you and your assoc
ciates In Good Government Club r that ~
has taken hold OF the work with so much
enthusiasm and In the spirit Of seIf-sacfi-
fee. Very truly yours.
"ADRAM 8. HEwyTT.a