The Progress., 1897-07-10

IT m1ENG tt NSeitli VI 'aAN " 1'''-" -
nbout tho moral responsibility resting up
m tho Office bearers in all our cities |
theme as appropriate to those who are gov
erned rs to the governors. Tho mor'l
character of those who rule Il city mas
much to do with tho character OF the Guy
itself. Men, women and children arc al
interested in national politics When 'he
creat presidential election comes, every
Dotriot wants to hc found at the ballot
hox. We arc all interested In the discus
sion of nuticnal finance, NATIONAL ucp''
and we read the laws of congress, and we
are wondering! who VIII sit next IN inc
nrcsidcutial chair. Now, that may be az
very wells ycry WELL But 1t IS hlen
time that We took some of the attention
which wc base been dcvoting to nat1ohh'
affairs and Brought it to the stndy or mu'
nicipal government. This IL seems 10 lne
now IS the chief point to Ee taken. Mako
the cities right and tho nation will be
rfcht I have noticed that, according 20
their OPPORTUNITIES, there E;.s really been
more corruption in municipal governments
In this country than in tho state ana ma
tional legislatures. Now is there no hopper
With the mighticst agent In our hand the
glorious gospel Of Jesus Christ, snail not
all our cities be reformed and purified and
redeemed? I believe the day will come
I am in full sympathy with those who are
opposed to carrying politics into religion.
but our cities will never DO reformed ana
purified until we carry religion into pom
tics look over our cities and see that
all great interests are to be affected IN tne
future, as they have been affected IN the
past by the chara ter Of those who in the
different departments rule over us, ana
propose to classify 49, of those interests
Comm. :.thics.
In the first pl,.c, ..'.:lnrk commercial
ethics orc always affected by the moral or
Immoral character of those who have mu
Dicipal supremacy. Officials that wink at
fraud and that have neither ccnsure nor
arraignment for glitterng dishonesties al
| ways weaken the pulse of commercial hon
or Every shop, every store. every bazaar,
every factory In the cities feels the moral
! character of the city hall. If In any city
there be dishonest ,nayoralty, or an un
| principled common council, or II court sus-
| ceptible to brides, in that city there Will
| be unlimited license for all kinds of trick
| ery and sin, while, on the other hand, II
officials are faithful to their oath of office,
| II the laws arc promptly executed, If there
Is vigilance in regard to the outbianchings
| Of crime, there is the highest protection
| for all bargain making.
A merchant may stand In his store and
say: "Now. I'll have nothing to do with
CITY politics. 1 will not soil my hands
| with tho slush' Nevertheless the most
insignificant trial in tho police court will
| affect that merchant directly or indirectly.
| What style of clerk issues the WRIT What
| STYLE of constable makes the arrestf What
| style of attorney issues the plea? What
style of judge charges the jury? Wha,
style of sheriff executes tho sentenced
| These are questions that strike your count
ing rooms to the center. You may not
throw it off. In the city of New Yorl
Christian merchants for great while
said, We'll have nothing to do with thu
management of public affairs" and the!
allowed everything to go at loose onds un
til there rolled up in that city IL debt O
nearly S12O, 900 900. The municipal gov
eminent became II Kissing and bywort
In the whole earth, and then the Christian
merchants saw their folly, and they wen
| and took possession of the ballot boxes.
| wish all commercial men to UNDERSTAND
| that they nre not independent of the mora.
| character of tho men who rule over them
but must be thoroughly, nightly atfocte'
by them.
So also of the educational interests of