New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27
VOTERS AND BRIBERS.

The city Of Philadelphia is engaged In
bribery hunt and it is almost as excited about
II as was New-YOrk when the revelations OF
police corruption and Matchmaking were made
public in 1894 One member of the City Coun-
Gil has already been indicted Another has ac-
knowledged that he was bribed, and said that
a fellow Councilman was also brbed by col
league and that still another colleague had ap-
preached him with corrupt offers. An outsider
is also under charges Of having offered to buy
votes. so that up to date one layman and five
members of the Council are implicated Accord
ingly. Philadelphia is greatly shocked, and is
looking to the punishment of these offenders as
the beginning Of q new era i'll municipal gov
eminent and n renaissance Of public virtue.
But why should Philadelphia or any other
American city be shocked ut such n revelation,
or expect any permanent reform from it?
Probably there were not a dozen intelligent
citizens in Philadelphia who had any lower
opinion Of their Councllmen after the exposure
than they Lad before. The granting OF fran
chises without regard to public interest and
manifestly from corrupt motives is an old story.
The voters understood the general character
and aims Of their City Fathers TO all intents and
purposes as we'll when they chose them for of
flee as they do now. Time and again they have
had the opportunity to say whether or not
they wanted their government to remain in
such hands, and they have answered that they
did. If now few convictions of bribery and
sentences to the penltentiary should compel
them 10 choose other rulers, II is really hard TO
see what credit would bt due 10 them True
the average min does not join in giving brbes
but that does not absolve him from the respon-
sibility for a government which he believes
quite capable Of being bribed civic virtue
which can only be aroused 10 decent activity
~ the shock OF a public scandal is not much
better than a public sentiment which cannot
be aroused at all.
Some Philadelphia people think that there is
a chance TO break down the vicious system I'M
der which the city has suffered for many years
and urge that this chance should be utilized
TO the utmost by following up the principals
who furnish the bride money and the political
leaders in and out Of Office who act as their
agents, and by their control Of conventions pre-
pare the way for corrupt rule. They are I'M
doubtedy right in their understanding OF the
methods Of corrupt procedure, but they will
have long struggle before they can break
down the vicious system, unless the voters are
much more thoughtful and Independent than
those Of New-York. II they can bring those
voters actually 10 refuse support TO the lead
ers who they know maintain the vicious sys
TEN, and continue 10 refuse that support they
will have done more than the reformers in any
other American city have been able 10 accom-
plish. They should not be too sanguine, how
ever that public show of Indignation at ex-
posure Of rascaty means any great Increase in
public virtue. 1t is the voter who makes the
bribe-taker and The bribc-giver and conviction
that his creatures have disgraced him does not
insure him against liking for other creatures
Of the same kind.