The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-04
GOOD RESULTS OF REFORM
What the Republicans Have Done
in This Line.
Opposing Factions in New York Ac-
cuse Each Other. Pennsylvania
Costly Experience. Jobs in
Chicago. The Grand Jury
Will investigate.
"A glance around the political nor,zon

sSg "A glance around the political norlzon
will acquaint us with some curious re-
suits of the reform campaigns recently
undertaken by the Republicans. The
great center of the reform sentiment
among the Republicans last year was
New \ rk, state and city but especial
ly the city. Democrats were i'll control
of both, but many Democrats were so
lncensed at certain abuses that had
como 10 light that they We're willing to
cooperate with the Republicans to bring
about change; hence the large MAORI
ties which the Republicans have since
been claiming as evidence Of n revulsion
of public sentiment against the Demo-
cratic party generally.
In order to perfect reform in New
York 1t was necessary to enlist the CO.
operation of that distinguished reformer.
Thomas G. Plat, who stipulated thnt he
was TO be consulted rs to all appoint
ments.-
How we'll reform has succeeded thore
is told by an address which the Platt
Republicans have just issued. Thoy set
out the pledges made by Mayor Strong
IN detail, concluding each count with
the announcement that the statement
has been before the people for mouths.
and that neither the mayor nor any
friend of his has ever dared TO deny il.
We cannot notice all these charges. but
invite attention to the last paragraph:
1.-The results of such shameless ex-
hlbition of lack Of moral sense and alb
sence of personal or official integrity by
New York's highest officer must be dis
astrous to both public and private vir-
tue, and municipal rsscals for tho next
20 years will point with pride to Viii
liam L. Strong, the Ieformer' of 1896.
as having provided precedent for any
scandalous violation of decency in which
they may choose to indulge. Such
spectacle has never before been present.
ed in an enlightened community by
civilized man
We copy this without prejudice rs tho
Judgment of the Republican orpaniza.
ton OF New York of the result of the
reform movement III which it purtici-
pated. 1t is needless TO say that Mayor
Strong opinion Of the Platt Republic
ans is equally unfavorablo.
We have already noted tho success OF
the reform movement III PHILADELPHIA
and the nice things which the Quay and
mti-Quay factions are saying of each
other throughout Pennsylvania Six
months ago a Democratic governor was
succeeded by Republican. Since then
many new Offices have been created. and
the governor co-operated with the lepis-
lature In increasing expenses by "A mil
lion of dollars.
over III Chicago at the spring election
there was great Republican reform
movement that triumpned by large
majority. Everything was to be lovely
after that, but somehow expectations
nave not been realized. The Chicago
papers are full of bowls over Jobs that
have been pushed through the board of
aldermen. Of the latest of these. known
rs the Calumet and Blue Island ordi-
nance, The Tribune says that its mas.
aage cost from $500, 600 to $50, 900.
As 1t gives the Illinois Steel company
absolute control of the entire lake front
from Eighty third street to the Indiana
state line it is no doubt cheap ut the
price.
The Republicans also got control of
last November. Now comes The Times
Herald, Republican paper, and saws
that certain members of the legislature
are IN danger of being sent to the pcni-
Tertiary for taking brides for their votes
and influence in the passage of the game
Law. Some of the bribed are from Cook
county and others from the rural dis
tricts. The grand jury will be asked to
investigate.
This by no means exhausts the list of
the reforms that have been accomplish
ed by the Republicans this year, but we
need not pursue the subject further ut
present AS the Republicans of Ken
jeucky are kindly Offering to reform"
our state government it is well that the
people should understand how Repub
lican reforms are carried out.-Louis.
vile Courier j ournnl.