New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-16
MR.. BRYCE ON AMERICA.
NEW CHAPTERS AND GENERAL RE-
VISION OF HIS GREAT WORK.

Two vols. svo PIP, Xxx. 724; viii $50. Mac
milan & Co.
Mr.. Bryce's study Of America and its institu-
lions first appeared about seven years ago. and
was at once recognized throughout the two hemi-
spheres as a standard work OF unQuestioned
authority AS the historian Of the Holy Roman
Empire the author had already secure and
honorable place in the world OF letters and
philosophy and eighteen years Of observation
and study Of this country gave warrant OF ample
preparation for dealing with the new and more
important theme His work received here.
therefore with scarcely trace Of that sens-
tiveness and resentfu antagonism with which
the writings OF less competent and less syrnpa-
thetic critics have been regarded IL was lei''
indeed that though a Scotchman by blood an
Irshman by birth. and an Engshman by edu-
cation and service. Mr. Bryce was essentially
citizen Of the world. and not to be reckoneo oy
any people an alien. Perhaps there was an
other consideration that had certain force IN
commencing his book to attention. ana espe-
cially to the attention Of practical ponticans'
consideration that has steadily galned iorce
since the publication of the hrst edition. 1t is
that Mr. Bryce is himself practical politician.
The preiudice against the scholar in politics Is
not extinct In America. treatlse upon the
American political system by the author OF The
fessor of Civil Law at oxford, however highly
estesn,ed nv college professors and students and
lovers of good literature would have been sniffed
at by a large proportion OF those to whom fit
tinelv or unfittingly the administration OF public
affairs is here intrusted. But such work by
one who is also member of Parliament.
Cabinet Minister and thorough going party
nolitician. while It still commands the respect or
the former wins also the earnest attention or the
latter.
The first edition appeared in 1888, and the Sec
ond followed hard upon It, The third no" III
hand, embodies the results Of much earnest ana
intelligent work done in the SIX or seven years
between Admirable as the original work was II
contained some inaccuracies which nave peeh
corrected some important matters were omit'ed
from II which have now been supplied; and OF
course since II was written striking incidents
have occurred and facts have been deVeiopeu
which are now fully discussed. Many emenoa-
lions have been made several chapters nave
virtually been rewritten, and four entreiv ne"
chapters on topics of chief interest nave peeh III
serted. With these additions we are at present
most concerned though the other changes In
themselves are Of sufficient value to commend
.ho n.u edition TO all who have read and proflted
by its predecessors.
md the first Of them is on the timely theme OF
.orhe Tammanv Ring in New-York City. MI
1,ryce gives concise account of the origin OF the
"nacbine" in metropolitan politics. and OF the
transfer OF power from men Of intelligence and
substance to the more ignorant and irresponsible
elements Of society. The great struggle over siaV
erv and secession fixed the attention or pa'rl''c
men upon National rather than upon mumcipai
affairs and the greed Of gold, vastly stifnuia'eu
by NETWORKS rapid commercial growth caused
MANY TO give themselves to private sen-seehlhs
in business rather than to seeking the puphc
cood in politics So, 1.-The leading men, who hf1y
wears carrier would have watched municipal al
fairs and perhaps borne a part In thein were
now so much occupied with their commercial
enterprises or their legal practice as TO neglect
their local civic duties. and saw with unconcerh
the chief municipal offices appropriated by per-
sons belonging to the lower strata OF society
After succinctly relating the story OF the rise.
dominance and fall Of the Tweed King MT
Bryce happily avoids the stupid error too COM
monty made by foreign critics, OF charging the
responsibility for such evils upon the republican
system Of government. on the contrary, ne ex-
plicitly vindicates the system from such charge.
Democracy indeed delivered New-York over to
the foul hands of Tweed and Barnard. But that
was not the democracy which Jefferson strove
10 create and Hamilton to discipline and checK.
1t was type of democracy unknown to them; a
democracy the dominant features OF which were
corruption 1.-The spoils system, election frauds'
the gift of the suffrage to host OF ignorant
strangers. and above all''-and this is the point
which Mr.. Bryce most emphasizes and which his
American readers will do well to take most to
heart-"the apathy of those wealthy and edu-
Gated classes without whose participation the
best-framed government must speedily degen-
'erate."
Dwelling upon the same suggestive theme Mr..
Bryce shows how. after the breaking and punish
anent of the Tweed Ring, the snake being merely
''scotched, not killed." Tammany presently had
"a renascence Of balefu power. so that the latter
state of the city worse than the former The
good citizens soon forgot their sudden zeal
Neglecting the primaries where indeed they
might have failed TO effect much, they allowed
nominations to fall back into the hands Of spols-
men, and the most important city Offices to be
fought for by factions differing only in their
names and party badges. because all were equally
bent upon selfish gain" So Tammany was still
supreme, and the august dynasty Of bosses went
on. After Tweed Kelly: after Kelly. Croker.
The fashion OF collecting revenue and amassing
fortunes changed however. In Tweed's time, 1t
was wholesale theft from the city treasury. In
Crokers time 1t was retail backmail upon the
business of the city. and especially upon those
illegitimate businesses which it was the duty OF
the city government to suppress, but which, on
the contrary for the sake Of revenue. It protected
encouraged, and even entered into partnership
with. And this unspeakable iniquity was prac-
tically condoned. or disregarded. by the great
mass of the population; by the rich because taxes
were kept comparatively low. the fire and other
departments were we'll conducted. and New
York, in spite OF all. still the best city 10
live in and to make money in; and by the poor.
because they were deuded into imagining that
the rich paid the taxes and bore all the burdens,
not realizing the fact that their full share, In
rent and other expenses, after all fell upon them
In a footnote Mr.. Bryce records the fact that
Tammany at last smitten with a great