The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-16
NEW IDEALS IN TAMMANY.

In mechanics 1t is true that action
and reaction are always equal, but If
the same law applied in the movements
of men for the lettering Of sociological
conditions it is evident there could be
no actual progress made. Actions and
reactions there are; but the retrograde
movement never quite reaches the mi
tial point. There always remains
solid residuum of progress, forming a
permanent foundation for future up
building. New York city affords a
present illustration. All friends of good
government regarded with apprehen-
sion the return of Tammany rule. Past
experience justified alarm. Against its
inefficiency and corruption there have
been revolts. The Tweed rottenness
was cut out. Then came a reaction
and restoration; but, bad as the ad-
ministration was, it never went back
to Tweedism. Again there came an
other spasmodic forward movement.
Tammany was ousted, and reform
forces took charge and renovated the
system. The police system was put
upon a basis Of merit, discipline and
public duty simply. The street clean
ing methods were put upon an organ
lied business basis instead of a polit-
ical jobbing basis.
Now has come the reaction, and Tam
many is again in power. But New York
under Van Wyck will not be what it
~,
streets will never be again what it
was under Brennan. Neither may be
all they were under Strong and War
ing. Some retrogression is unavoida-
hle. The spirit that found voice in
Gardeners alleged expression, ITO hell
with REFORM" will find expression in
some lapse. Still there may be disap-
pointment for those who expect even
this; there is sure to be for those who
expect a complete relapse into the
ways Of old Tammany rule. There is
promise of this in the statement of
Warnings successor, Mccartney, that
he will make no changes in his prede-
cessor's methods except to improve
upon them wherever he finds it can he
done, and that appointments and pro-
motions in the department of streets
will be for merit He may not do it,
but the fact that he promises it indi-
Gates that the better methods have so
commended themselves to the voters of
that city that a return to the filthy
streets Of former administrations
would provoke a revolt that would
overthrow the new administrators.
And there is a note in the inaugural
Of Mayor Van Wyck that indicates i'm
proved ideals. No reformer, however
ardent. could ask for a better state
ment of civic purpose than this:
Fidelity to the pledges upon which the suf-
frageS of our citizens were asked and Sc
cured demands that we demonstrate the ad-
vantages of responsible government; that we
prove that an administration for which a
depended upon not only to reward merit, but
as well to deal most severely with any
betrayal of the public confidence, including
in this designation not alone every form
cheney, but also any want of industry and
any indifference to the safety comfort and
convenience Of the public.
Men whose memories carry recollec-
tons of Tammany administration that
conflict with the ideal expressed here
will be apt to look askance at these
really fine words of promise, but fair
men will suspend judgment until per-
Torrance demonstrates them to have
been mere pretense. And men who
have learned that reactions in civics
never equal the action that has
brought administration of affairs to a
higher level will be confident that.
however much Mayor Van Wyck may
fall short of his ideals in perform
ance, his administration will be far in
advance of those of his predecessors of
the old society.