Evening star., 1895-01-04

An interesting story is that, which ap-
pears elsewhere in The Star. dealing with
the operations Of q political ring that Cvi-
IDENTIFY con 'rols municipal matters in Phila-
delphia OF late New York has been a
conspicuous center of attention because
of the corrupt misgovernment to which its
citizens have. for a long time. been sub
ject. but New York has no monopoly of
corruption: other cities have suffered and
still suffer from the dishonesty OF those
who are careful OF their own interests and
without care or conscience as to the well
fare OF the public generally. The Phila-
dephia ring operates by methods other
than those common to Tammany: the
forms OF dishonesty which were daily ex-
posed by the Lexow committee do not ap-
pear in the exposures as to the Quaker
City. where the offending has none of the
features OF getty larceny. Another point
of dissmi,arity IS in the political COM
plexon OF the two rings. Tammauy was
ncminally democratic. although machine
politicians who called themselves republi-
cars sympathized with 1t; the Philadelphia
Combine IS republican. The spread OF ter
rcrism that is caused by any political ring
sooner or later affects all classes of party
men, who for the time being are forced
into silent acQuiescence in the belief that
the dongs OF the ring are those of the
party. When the truth at last becomes
known and it plainly appears. as it must.
that the ring and the party not coinci-
dent establishments. then the decent men
OF that party revolt against the coubina-
tion and overthrow the thieves who fatten
upon the city trea.ury In Philadelphia
much lasting injury. however. may be doIs
to the city during the life of this conn
h;ras ,;,h vi-te
much more brief than had Tammany Hall.
Unscrupulous uen have secured absolute
control of contracts that are enabling them
to grow rich while giving the city inlde-
quate return and even producing dangsr-
Gus works. An instance is cited of reser-
weir that is being built that. 1t is row be-
lieved has been so badly done by the holder
of all the asphalt contracts. a member of
the inner ring. that IL Is feared 1t may
soon give way and inundats a beautiful
residence SectiOn near it. Another case of
permanent damage is noted In the growth
of the trolley system all over Philadel-
phia. Corrupt methods have undoubtedly
been used 10 obtain for the great corpora
ton that is known as the Philadelphia
Traction Company enormous privileges. in
return for which the city gets practically
nothing Miles of unopened streets have
been given to the company. thus assuring
absolute control of vast section of sub
urban territory that will in the near fu-
ture be OF untold value to the possessors.
The greed of the ringsters and the COR
poration has not stopped here. An effort
is being made. and with promise of success,
to run trolley road through the celebrated
and beautiful Fairmount Park the pride
at once of both Philadelphians and Ameri-
cans. This magnificent reservation VIII
always have place in history because of
the location there of the great Centennial
exposition. II Is the favorte resort of
the people of the city. 1t should always
be sacred from the inroads and encroach
ment of such a disfguriug incubus as a
railroad. especially trolley road.
1t is the inevitable fate of all such un-
wholesome combinations that they event.
uaIy over-reach themselves. 1t would ap-
pear from the brief statement of fact that
has been culled from New York newspapers
that there is no actual organization to
hold this remarkable machine together. 1t
is the growth of less than seven years. and
has really had but about four years of
actual power. There is one man at the4
head. autocratic. positive. skilful in politi-
Cal maChination. Already signs of dis
satisfaction at the dictation of this man are
6Nllcut Olt Tie ltdl piODdpay
the first appearance of disin.esration. To
this is soon to be added the resentment of
the people. ard then. in a short time. will
come the day when the voters will dare to
cast their ballots for honest government.
which can only mean the overthrow of the
ring. There is probably less Chtnce today
for the growth and prosperous existence
of such a combination in municipal affairs
than ever before, and the Indications are
that these organizations already in eX
iStence will have pretty thorough over
hauling by the taxpayers and decent citi-
zens in the present year.