The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-07
WARING TALKS POLITICS
~ r ASPECT As AN AGENCY FOR
4 RISNING III PUBLIC.

@ta1
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Tint, ne says. IL Nhnt II Means when II seeks
to Control the city Government - Nothing
to Choose nctw cen tho Two pnrties-Lead-
ing skinners Don't Care n RAP fer Either.
Col. Warning lectufed in Cooper Union last
evening on the Sanitary Relations Of
Cleanliness" He went over the stats
tics OF mortality, and Inferred from the
decreased death rate that the unnecessary
loss OF life in the city in the years 1ss9-94, duo
largely TO unclcanlincss, was equivalent numcri-
cally to the determination OF the Inhabitants Of
Danbury. New London. Pittsfcld. Orange, Pas
sale, and Plainfleld. Then he said:
at is the first requisite Of a clean Government
that 1t should be honest. The necessary work Of
running this city costs an enormous amount Of
money, and there Is a horde OF men who have
been trained for years to mako II their business
TO get as much OF this money into their own
pockets as your neglect will allow them tho op-
portunity to take.
II am not going to talk politics further than
TO say that politics is tho agency BY which this
horde carries on its business, and that tho lead
ers in the industry OF skinning the public do not
care one rap for the principles or purposes of
either the Democratic or the Republican party.
They are on the make every time, and the only
reason why they belong to one party instead
OF the other is because they think there lies
the best chance TO make something. I am not
now speaking OF Republican people or Demo
cratic people, nor am ! talking about the prin-
ciplcs or purposes Of either party. ] have in
mind only those who make use OF tho party
name and influence to help them In their IL
legitimate business OF getting hold OF public
money without earning II. A political district
leader recently told my deputy that II he would
go into politics he would guarantee him $780,
600 in two years.
ut Is generally supposed that these men
maintain their close political organization In
the city 50 that thoy can use their control OF the
Organization for the sake OF State aDd national
I,se heir l 1t Il iSIs q, 'a sso 9sh sna WAY nyy,, ssS9'; no TInSy
for the sake OF getting control OF tho great
sources OF public outlay In the city.
There Is no party ISSUE In the city govern
mcnt. but party issues arc used to keep the peo.
pie in line, and TO keep them blinded. What !
far as the government Of this city is concerned.
there Is, nothing whatever TO choose, be-
hMSen be- the so nwo ,m PsTaiSsi save q, ' tSs b shsTe
ming OF the control by either one. 1t
will not be long in power. however, before most
to It. The municipal n msnipuiatoFs oS} both par.
ties are after the spoils, and they get tho spoils
only issue that is Of the least consequence to
you Is the way in which you are governed.
1T is not easy TO stem this tide. Men whose
business It Is 10 control tho government OF the
city, In order to make money. are sure to work
hard In this prosecution OF their business. Those
who would have to neglect the private business
In which they make their money. and 80 would
lose. money by giving themselves to city
affairs, are by no means so eager TO enter the
contest, nor are they so Jealous when they are
In. nor are they trained for the work. 1t seems
10 inc that the only chance for real
Improvement is to strive IN some way TO
about tho details q their government. Il they
money. and how what is done Is to affect them.
then perhaps they will turn a less willing ear to
the Establishments OF those, who are working
them through, their political affiliations TO help
their own little game along"
Then he told what the Department OF Street
AN this would have been utterly impossible
II ! had been subjcct to the limitations that tied
the hands Of my predecessors. 1t has been made
possible only by the tact that ! took my Office
with a determination TO do the very best
that, ] could in the interest of the
public, and that knew that ] should have the
being who had the power TO %obstruct me. That
is 10 say. | had the assurance OF Mayor Strong
tina, | could manage my work in my own way
without the least interference, political or
do. l do not count 1t AN interference that
was decried and opposed by those. who
SSanse I I SSa detcr T1 sd' to BBrGiseG about or THAT sni
was an incident that ! expected at the outset,
and I, had the great advantage OF attracting the
as,smi,@n OF me pSoluc 10 ihs wGrE OF the DC,
very helpful cooperation.
I'm other wor II, the work OF the Department
OF street Cleaning was taken up as a matter Of
simple business. entirely independent of all
political or personal considerations. What has
been done in that department might perfectly
well be done IN every department in the city
any man working for the city in any capacity
should have his opportunity to work or his ahil.
ity TO work influenced by politics, by politicians,
or by. any, other consideration than what was
] best for the service