The times., 1899-04-16
The Tnmmany Idea.

iEoOdDly rev persons IN new 1Ork loOh
upon the legislative investigation CT the
municipal administration as the result of
an honest desire TO promote good govern
ment. II is believed that it is partly TO
prove 10 Tammany that it does not pay
to oppose measures that are urged ut Al
bany by the Republican organization-such
as the Astoria gas grab, according TO
Richard Croker-and partly to influence
the next years election. 1t is not doubted
Republican machine is not less enterpris-
ing in looking out for its own than Tam
many, and in the matter of the canal
frauds, for example. it appears TO be more
corrupt. Whatever may be the profits
which Tammany men get out of their po-
litical power, it has not been shown, and
il Will not be shown, that they have stolen
public money. as the Republican canal
ring did. 1t happens that Tammany has
not the authority to order an investiga-
tion into the operations of the Platt ma
chine, while the latter is able to ;nsti-
tute city enquiry because it controls the
legislature.
However, let the purpose of the inves-
tigation be what it may, and let the Piatt
machine be never SO corrupt. it does not
excuse anything that is wrong in Tamma-
ny rule. That organization is in politics
for the money that is to be got out of it.
But it is important to note and under
stand the peeuliarities of the Tammany
conscience. which can well bear COM
parison with that of the Platt concern
Il. -trzf
taking of public money is sternly prohib
tied. A Tammany official who should ap-
propriste dollar of city funds TO his own
use would be promptly kicked out and
prosecuted. Every man appointed to a
city Office must be competent to perform
his duty we'll, as far as Mr.. Croker can
judge. AS he is not a book-educated man
Croker is liable to mistakes about fitness
for work that calls for education, and his
moral sense is not very delicate. Still. he
does not consent TO the appointment of
man he does not think is qualified for the
place His idea is TO give to the people
what he thinks is a good administration.
and. as far as he can understand it, such
they want.
In short, the attitude of Tammany is
this: The Legislature is controlled by rural
members. who have Puritanic ideas that do
not suit New York Tammany will govern
the city as wisely as IT can, stealing not
dollar from the treasury. and will protect
the people as far as possible from the
operation of hay-seed legislation. In re-
turn for this, it must be allowed TO bleed
everybody it can get hold of. This is what
thorough investigation would show 1t
would also show that the municipal govern
ment IS run as economically as possible In
selecting its candidate for mayor Tammany
tries 20 get a man who will look after the
city's interests. Nobody would charge
Mayor Van Wyok with dishonesty or ex-
travagance or jobbery. While the Offices
and all perquisites go TO Tammany men,
no jobs are made simply TO benefit them.
This is all in strong contrast with the
Republican machine methods. II Tammany
had been charged with the expenditure OF
the nine millions for the canal, every dollar
would have been spent on good work. al
though Tammany men would have had the
contracts. The Republicans stole most OF
the money and ruined the canal.
This is all absurd and impossible-this
Tammsny idea-out of all harmony with
the enlightenment of the time. That it
should be tolerated is almost incredible.
Yet in truth. the city is better governed
and the public treasury better protected,
than under the Republican boss system
that prevails in most communities. When
the people are able TO put aside political
partisanship in local elections. We shall
have the right sort of administration of
municipal affairs. but not sooner.