New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-21
REFORM IN ROCHESTER,.
WORK OF THE GOOD GOVERNMENT
CLUBS.
. Fusion MUNICIPAL TICKET THAT PROMISES
TO WRECK THE ALDRIDGE MACHlNE-rHE
LEGISLATIVE SITUATION IN MONROE
rpv 7rr rcp ApH TO THE TRIEUNEl


Rochester. Oct 2O-The municipal reform wave
IS sweeping over the city of Rochester as II is
over many Of the other cities in the State, and,
.nparently. it will wreck the political machine
which has been laboriously put together after
many years hard work by George W. Aldridge,
the state Superintendent Of Public Works. There
will not be many tears shed by Republican voters
over such a catastrophe. Mr.. Aldridges ma
chine has become altogether too costly an affair
for the taxpayers Of Rochester to support with
anv pleasure. for It IS plain as has been stated
nv Joseph T. Allng. the Republican leader of the
reform movement. that Aldridge has used the
city government for political and personal ends
EMPLOYING a needlessly large number OF city
officials solely that he might have political work
ers at his command in every ward OF the city
The city salary Est thus has been nordnatey
swollen In other ways also the expenses or the
city have been largely increased. palpably for
political purposes The interests Of the taxpayers
have been lost sight Of and Rochester harmed
I'VE propose If we can to elect city officials
who will conduct thu city's affairs as they would
their private business, with an eye to the eco
nom.cal and prudent expenditure or the puohc
money" said Mr.. Aing. This does not mean
a niggardly policy. Rochester IS growing city
and certain expenditures are absolutely neces-
sary But II we can, We shall stop waste ana
stop paying money 10 men who rerder no service
10 the city In return for IT, We also aim TO con-
duct the government Of Rochester on non-part.-
san principles: on the principle that public work
shall be ordered with the thought that 1t shall
be for the benefit of the city, and not for the ex-
elusive benefit of political organization
large proportion OF the houses in Rochester
being owned by their occupants, any additional
I.ad Inv a
voters. and thus the appeal of the Good Govern
rpent Club organizations for a reformation OF the
city government was needed it would not
have been in many other cities. Hundreds OF
these taxpayer-voters joined the Good Govern
,nent clubs A city convention followed Of the
Good Government clubs organization at which
q city ticket was put In the field. 1t was in
large sense a fusion" ticket, for 1t contained
the name of Samuel g. Williams. the candidate
OF the Regular" Republican organization Tor
CITY Treasurer and also the names OF some
prominent Democrats of Rochester that the
Regular" organization Of that party had prom
ised to support If their names were put on the
Good Government clubs ticket Further, 1t con-
tanned the name Of Robert Cartwright leadlng
Republican. for member Of the Executive boaru'
a body which corresponds TO the Department OF
Public Works Of New-York. At the head of the
ticket as a candidate for Mayor was put the
name Of Judge George +. Werner, Democrat oil
great popularity. Judge Werner, In his letter
accepting the nomination, took his stand frankly
upon the Good Government platform. He said:
have read the declaration OF principles OF the
Of notidcat.on, and which are as follows First.
City government business principles in the In
ferest OF the people and not in the interest OF any
ring or party: second. city appointments and re-
novals according TO fitness not because OF parry
hin, mol 1
ncmnat:on you have rendered me III ppGn on IN, the pS
10 see that the above principles are fully carried
out to the end that the city OF Rochester may
have an economical business administration OF its
affairs.
The campaign Of the Good Government clubs
has shown that the Street Cleaning Department
Of Rochester has cost far more. proportionately,
than that of other cities; that 147 inspectors of
sidewalks and sewers were appointed last year.
who drew sl2 900 out Of the city treasury; that
funds amounting to 900 raised for city build
ing had disappeared in a salary account. and that
Book Ring" exists which is amassing wealth
at the expense Of the ,ty. Judge Werner in
recent speech said:
For many years Book Ring has been in exist.
ence with a representative who receives salary OF
5000 per year to represent them. Every candidate
FOR sthooi Conn. ,-ioner who is In favor Of the
Dook Ring receives assistance in his campaign. The
nnis Of eyery enid who attends the public schools
Judge sutherland said in recent speech that there
book Seven-eighths of the books furnished the
school children Of this city, however are bought IN
one bookstore
The Democratic party had the good sense to
indorse the excellent fusion city ticket sug-
gested by the Good Government Club organiza-
tloas. and thus thousands of other voters were
added to the ranks of the supporters of the
Good Government ticket. At present it looks
Ia. 81 ed a
majority This fact is apparent to Adridge
and it is reported he Is attempting now to
make deals" by which. at least he can save
his candidates for the Executive Board. whose
members are the most influential officials of the
city outside of the Mayor.
The city Of Rochester stands in the centre OF
the county Of Monroe which elects two state
Senator's and four Assemblymen. The city is
about evenly divided between the two Senate
districts and each district has two Assembly
districts The Republican party, TO all appear
ances despite its weak Aldrdge ticket for city
officers in Rochester. will elect Cornelius X
Parsons and Henry Harrison. its candidates
FOR Senators. Mr. Parsons has now been at
Albany five years. and, therefore, has acquired
"A large experience there, which IS Of advantage
20 his constituents. Mr.. Harrison is graduate
OF Rochester University. and a highly esteemed
business man Of BrOCkpOrt. The Democratic
leaders perceive that they cannot win the SEN
ate districts and therefore, have put up in
them only nominal candidates. namely Caleb
X. H0bbie and Charles II. Wltsie neither has
any political strength The Republican party
also, 1t is probable. will elect its four candi-
dates for the Assembly in the county-James
NJ OGrady, Charles 9. Smith, William W
Armstrong and Thomas H. Eddy. The Repub-
lcan majorities in the districts Of Mr.. Arm
strong and Mr.. Eddy are small, however, anu
here the Democratic leaders are making
strong effort 70 elect their candidates. me
Republican members Of the Good Government
organizations are supporting the RepuDNcah
legislative ticket and thus il will have an ad,
vantage when the votes come 10 be counted
which will not be enjoyed by the Republican
city ticket.
NICHOLAS HAD 70 WAIT FOR HIS BRIDE