New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-15
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY.
THE BEST HOPE FOR THE REPUBLIC.
EVOLUTION THAT Is BRINGING DEMAND FOR
BETTER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

EVOLUTION THAT Is BRINGING DEMAND FOR
BETTER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sf am fam to believe that the law o. evolution
Is bringing and will bring. better things 10 me
Republ!c-among them better municipal govern
inents our lads and inssies of to-day nave larger
and healthier bodies than We had. thanks TO the I'm
provernent in the knowledge and practice OF sani-
tation General education is higher and more
widely d.ffused public charities OF all sorts ana
societies for the ameoration OF animals. children
the insane the deaf and dumb and the eplept'c
have had their beginning in our own day. the
cruelty OF public has been migated so that
II we give 10 our age its most distinctive lite NC
should call It 'the age Of mercy" In past ages
mercy or tenderness, was too rare and precious
for everyday use: now it smiles abroad on every
side and the cruel nerciless man Is the OBJECT
OF general contempt. Indeed. the thoughuui op-
server can readily perceive great Improvements In
our people In respect to health longevity, educa-
ton. refinement and moral goodness. Far from
perfection az yet. we still perceive encouraging de-
velopmcnt In all those lines Evou'oh IL e'o''''s
better men and women.
Among the good things Of evolution that nave
come TO stay Is strong desire for better muhcip'
government. Until lately the chief IDEAL TOT inc
governing power that 1t should ne s'ronE-
strong even 10 despotism: its main onJect the pun
ishrncnt OF enemies and the reward OF friends WIN
the earth earthly: wholly material. with no altru-
Ism in Il looking toward the bettcrment oil the
governed Under such ideals tho controi was Sought
by two great parties. whose sole motto was oct
there,' and whose main object was to divide the
plunder But VIC are learning better; the profess
sional politician IS now upon the level OF the pro-
ressional thef-but upon n larger scale. One steals
your liberty and Expresses you In every pupHc
relation: the other steals your purse or watcn
Heretofore only the lesser villain has been pun
,sbed. The people OF Greater New-York are now
rising In wrath and will chastse the larger rogues
who piy their robber business under the dictator
shin OF Croker and Platt They are awake 10 me
need OF n governing force which shall be controlled
by the conservative. independent. thouRnuuI. suu-
cast off the yoke OF the revolutionary scrvIe' un-
tbinkinr uneducated ard immoral, whether they
train With Patt or with Croker. =,
Never hrs any city had such an uprising OF al,
a community as that which now gives ls nope
for good government" in the city OF New-h orK
Failure now will mean relapse Tor many years
into the twin barbarisms' OF Plattsm ana CROKER
But we have a faithful hope for success. This
bright hope for the CHIEF city OF the kepuolc IL
realized. will he example Of far-reachins innn-
cncc. -, . ar =. =. -. >o,,
York: II she could destroy her Two rings OF pro,
fessonal politicians. why cannot we do tho same!
7. s not an Idle dream 20 see ir IN" near iuturc
(born OF w-Yorks example) every great munic'-
pie by union OF her better citizens. irrespective
Not TO believe this would he 20 doubt the iinal
,rumnh o, tho principle OF good over the principle
~ evil rs well ne to doubt the continuancc OF a
Repnblic resting on popular sovereignty. J. c. C.
New-York. oct H. ls9'