New-York tribune., 1895-12-07

content and rdicule and lost much Of their pres
tige as practical commons sense reformers. More
over the Conservative reaction which has swept
over the country has naturally increased the
strength OF the Moderates in London.
The great shrinkagc in the Progressive vote
last March. when the third Council was elected.
has apparently not abated. The Chelsea election
discloses no sign of the turning of the tide The
two parties which have been thwarting each
other and prOlonging the political deadlock In
the Council have appealed 10 single division
Of the electorate for judgment upon their general
course Of action. and the verdict is strongly
against the Progressives. This can hardly be
regarded as anything else than public mis-
fortune for with all their foibles on social ques-
tions. they were committed TO enlightened
and statesmanke policy based upon the report
of an exceedingly able and bipartisan Royal
Commission. The Moderates after blocking the
passage OF the Water bills, deferring ndef-
nitely the purchase of the tramways and oppos-
ing system of self-directed municipal works.
which was shown at yesterdays meeting Of the
Council to be economical and profitable. can now
plead popular support as preteNt and, indeed,
justification for the continuance of their OBJ
structive tactics. The great measures providing
FOR the unifcation OF London and the redistribu-
ton OF administrative functions will be deferred
until a more convenient season.
THE PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMME.
The Progressive programme when condensed
into a single sentence involves the exercise by the
London County Council Of all the powers of
municipal government enjoyed by any city in
Great Britain. It advocates municipal control Of
water gas. eectric-shting. docks, waterfront.
markets street railways burial grounds and
charities. 1t seeks to bring the metropolitan
police under the direction Of the County Councll
and so far may be practicable 10 dispense
with contracts in public works. the Government
dealing directly with those whom it employs.
Il seeks TO abolish the corporation OF tha ancient
city with the medieval traditions and exclusive
privileges Of the liveried companies. II uphOlds
Of
equalization OF tax rates and assessments ana
readjustment OF financial burdens on equitable
principles
This is a large programme which has tempo
rary frightened timOrous electors in Chelsea
and elsewhere The Moderates have reiraned
from substituting for il any formal proposals ot
their own. but they cannot uersevere in their
present obstructive policy without ultimately in
curing unpopularity. The city guilds. the
water and gas corporations. the tramWaN COM
panies and other mCnOpoles, the saloonkeepelS.
the music-hall owners. and the building ana
paving contractors. who have been deprived oi
renuneratiVc jobs, have rallied around tle
Moderates in every municipal campaign. That is
a dangerous following for a party with a mega
tive policy TO have behind 1t.
The Moderates. having no policy Of their own
will probably consent from time TO time 10 the
adoption Of some OF the Progressive pilnclples
which they regard as least Objectionable Bul
no large measures Of municipaliZa tion Will De
undertaken and no substantial progress Is likely
to be made in the direction OF the unihcailon oi
London. The Salisbury Government Will not
take UP any London question until II is forced
TO do SO by public opinion: and il viii be nearlE
three years before the mex general election VII.
occur in the metropolis. Meanwhile mere VII!
be active skirmshinG every week in the county
Council. and the continuance Of existing condl-
tions will aggravatc the difficulties or hnai
solution Of all the complex questions relating 10
vestries local councils. cent!a! administration
and control over all great corporate under
takngs. ,,.,
II London had been included in the munlcipal
legislation of 1885, all these troublesome matters
would have been adjusted. as similar questions
have been settled in Birmingham and Liverpool.
Every decade of delay has added enormously TO
the difficulty of working out a practical solution
OF the metropolitan problem. Greater New
York is the simplest and easiest Of consultation
questions in comparison with Greater London.
which is now gaining in population at the rate of
nearly million a decade. l. y. +.