Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-23

Irrespectiye of political considerations,
the people of Philadelphia seem to be NOV
ing steadily and earnestly in.th direction
of municipal reform. The mayoraity hsne
is now en- In the Quaker City and, unless
all the signs are delusive, it will be the
most interesting contest ever known III
that strangely-conglomerat center OF Sooa
and evil. Both Of the big political parties
are intent upon better condition OF NUM-
cipal affairs than now exists. In New
York the struggle was between reform ana
the spells system; In Philadelphia the peo-
pie will have their choice OF two KINDS OF
reform. When the republicans met 10 NOM
mate their candidate for mayor there was
revolt against the bosses and before the
convention adjourned the candidate VINO
was alleged to represent the combine that
has ruled Philadelphia to it's detriment for
many years was signally defeated. Since
then the democrats Of Philadelphia have
nominated Ex-Governor Pattison as their
representative in the campaign and now he
comes to the front with letter of ac-
ceptance that wrings the heartstrings OF
every democratic spokesman within the
city's Jurisdiction. The Pattison platform
is one to which all good citizens can sub
scribe, but 1t does not differ very mater
tally from the platform upon which Mr.
Warwick. the republican candidate, ex-
poets to be carried into power. There IS
agreement as to the necessity for absolute
separation of municipal affairs from state
and national politics before an honest, IN
telligent businesske management OF the
city can be secured. Naturally. the Patti
SON declarations more radical than
those of his antagonist. for it is hardly to
be expected that the republican candidate
of the republican convention would go 50
far in discrediting previous republican adj
ministration of affairs as the democratic
candidate would. Disregarding the profess
sions of amendment put on record by the
republican convention, Mr.. Pattison pro-
es;ing way. Says he:
THE letter and spirit of the law concur
In demanding that the employees OF every
branch of the municipal government as
we'll as the employees of every municipal
contractor shall keep out and shai De
kept out of party politics III the continued
disrs gard of this law resulted only IN po-
Uti,,aI scandals or in the control OF one
party or another by seif-perpetuatins
iynasties. the result would be deplorabie
enough. But when decade OF experience
has effectUally demonstrated the corrodinS
and bIfghting influences of this policy upon
the material condition of the first Ameri-
can city it is scarcely cause for wonder
worked effectively in other localities should
be aroused here"
Mr.. Warwick holds views that are twins
to these professed by Mr.. Pattison, but he
has been a trife slower than the latter in
getting them as prominently before the
public Concluding his letter of acceptance
Mr. Pattison once more jars the hungry
spoilsInen who advocated his nomination
BY saying
II accept this nomination upon the ex.
press condition and understanding that II
it should be ratified by majority or our
fellow citizens in my election 10 the cniei
masistracy, I will enforce the law with
out fear or favor or affection. Merit anu
merit alone shall be considered in making
appointments, and no removals Shall De
made except for cause as contemplated by
the letter and spirit of our municipal char
ter 4 will not only not permit the partici-
patton of the officers ani employees OF the
city government In politics but / VIII ab-
solutely prohibit and prevent IL.
With two candidates pledged to bling
about practically the same end, Pniiadei-
phians may have some difficulty in making
I'D their minds which they will follow. IL
is subject for congratulation. though That
popular sentiment has at last compelled
recognition of the incompatibility of NUM-
cipal business and partisan politics.