Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-22
REFORM In NEW YORK
PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT
AGAINST THE FIELD.

Correspondence OF the Dispatch)


gestion Of reform always carries with
It a lurking suspicion that behind the
moral exterior, there is concealed a mo-
tive not altogether compatible with the
professions of the reformer
The first authenticated reform that we
have any historical record Of is that or
the Garden Of Eden, and Notwithstanding
the fact that DR.. Abbott and Colonel
IngersoN have both entered the lists as
FIN de steele" iconoclasts. still the
story is apt in pointing a moral in re-
spect Of reform movements.
We are told that Adam and Eve were
both quite contented in the manage
ment OF their affairs, and that every
thing was progressing smoothly and to
tneIr mutuai satisfaction until the FIRST
reformer. who had introduced the civil
service system in Hades and had It
working to his complete content, made
his appearance in the little principally
Of Eden and began to explain to Eve,
just as the modern reformer does to-
day, how much the government could
be improved by introducing his theo-
res. lie was choice In the use of his
language. suave in his manner-pleasing
IN his address, courtly in his demeanor,
and convincing in his argument-iust
Ike his successor OF to-day. His pre-
scription, like some patent medicine OF
the present day. was warranted to cure
all the known ills.
Eve listened, was charmed by the
picture. and convinced by the logic used,
and soon had the rest OF the family
agreeing with her, and so the first re-
or, no.
complished fact.
The result we all know-it was the
fruitful cause Of woes unnumbered.
The history of the world. both sacred
and profane, gives unerring evidence or
the fact that all reforms have been in
stituted with sinister design.
The sanctity of the altar has been
profaned in the name Of reform and
the divinity that doth hedge n king"
has been dragged in the mire OF intrigue
for the sacred cause OF reform.
The horrible crimes Of the inquisition
were conceived in reform, and the Sc
cession of the English church at the in
stigation Of a monarch, who chafed under
his matrimonial bonds, was declared 10
be reformation"
The sad story of the Princess In the
Tower. Of Lady Jane Gray at the block
OF Marie Antoinette, under the gulllo-
tine, and I'm our own day of the venera-
bic Archbishop OF Paris facing the bull
lets of the commune are all samples Of
the beauties of.reform.
The bloodiest pages of history but tell
the story OF reforms and those upon
whom we look to-day as having been
the goths and yandals Of the world were
in their day and time the retormers.
There are attillas to-day Who, under
the garb Of reform, rob their neigh
bors, not as honestly and openly as he
did. but with more success. in many
instances stealing the livery of the
Court of Heaven the better to serve
their nefarious ends
THE PRESENT TIME.
Coming down to the present time we
see that the chief characteristic OF the
reformer is a self-satisfed air OF mo-
rality on his part which enables him
TO take the first pew in the church, and
declare with loud voice: THANK God,
!. at least, am honest, and not like those
political scoundrels who sit in the last
seats, afraid TO come forward and show
themselves"
1t may be that our reformer has. by
the aid OF wire-pulling on tho part OF
his wicked friends, succeeded in obtain
ine G judicial position, and although like
may believe that the Decalogue has no
place in our government, and that mo-
rality IS but an "iridescent dream" al
though he may, in his daily walk, bid
defiance TO the moral as well as statute.
law. yet as soon as tho ermine is placed
on his shoulders he thinks that, ike
charity, it will cover a multitude Of
sins. and at once he starts out on his
crest for reform.
n..E
Like his patron saints, Don QuiXote
and Hudibras. no starts out. lance In
hand, and consecrates his lilo 10 reform
that is, he does il, just as long as it
pays. and as long as he can hoodwink
tho public by magnifying tho mote
which he claims 70 have found In MS
brothers eye while cOncealng the Dean
in his own, and they. one and all
Compound for sins they arc inclined to
BY damning those they have no mind
to-"
have selected the judiciary especially
for tho reason that in that branch or our
body polite we expect at least Impartial
reform.
Our present election law was the re-
suit OF a reform moVement-much soou
has been accomplished, but there Is no
orc so idiotic as 10 imagine for a moment
that the reform has accomplished what
was intended, for while the judicial homl-
nation Is not to-day sold TO the highest
bidder. 1t IS ,as a matter Of cold fact.
bartered for influence; 1t is the result OF
intrigue, and is not a reward for merit
and our very last election furnishes the
most conclusive proof Of that fact.
This brings me TO the point which L
wish TO emphasize. Has the reform
movement benefited the citizens OF New
York?
our great era OF "civic reform dates
from the time when, on a tidal wave. Mr..
Strong was seated in the Mayors chair
and new constitution was adopted, and
the Greater New York determined on.
We were promised reforms all along
the line-the Angean stables were 10 De
cleansed-Andomeda was TO be released
from her bondage and the Nemean lion
Tammany was TO be completely annihi-
lated.
Peace and prosperity were 10 reign SUI
prerne. We were going TO have the
business Of the city run on business prln-
ciples--taxes were to be reduced, expendi-
lures were to be decreased, honest men
were TO be put in office, no good man was
10 be turned out-in fact, political mil
lenium was to arrive. and we we've 10
have a veritable Arcadia The pulpit,
the press, and the public all hailed the
coming Scion, who was going 10 give
ls this wise and honest government.
Poor, deluded pulpit. press. and public!
Your Scion has been Scion Single.