The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-04
That Basis Of Settlement.


vNA A CONFUSION of names aris-
ing from an identity of interests
unintended injustice Is liable to
ne wrought. The newspapers OF
our city and citizens generally have
been crediting to the Mems Union, OF
Green Ridge, the work of inquiry, de-
lection. prosecution and punishment
which has just eliminated In the
signing of a paper whereby ten coun-
cilmen confess to dishonorable prac-
tees, promise to resign, agree not 10
seek office again within five years and
contribute to four designated chart-
ties sum of money equal or approXi-
mately equal TO the known amount of
their offending. The Mems Union init
lated the movement by arousing pub
lie interest in the need Of municipal
house cleaning, and 1t subsequently
did what lay within it's power to ex-
peClite the movement and to bring
forth concrete results; but the sub
stantial burdens of this enterprise and
the executive direction of 1t have fall
len upon the organization Of public
spirited gentlemen known as the
Municipal League. This explanation
Is made at the request of the Mems
Union and as matter of justice.
Under the heading, Justice Sold
Out" the North American of Phila-
dclphia, organ of the Wanamaker In
fluence. illustrates the adage that n
little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
1t says:
The Municipal League Of Scranton has a
notable victory in its campaign against cor
r,,ption in the city government but in grant
ing terms to the scoundrcls whom it has ex-
posed it throws away the fruits Of victory and
bascly deserts the cause Of reform. 1t is diff
fcult to believe that a court has become a
party to settlement or compounding of crime
so vicious and degrading to the community, but
the assertion is positively made that the Judges
have consented TO direct verdict of not guilty
under the conditions stated. The escape of con-
fessed bribc-takcrs from the legal penalty OF
their crimes will do more to demoralize society
and encourage official corruption than all the
work the league has done to restrain rascal
ity. II detected rogue can buy immunity
from prosecution by giving up his official place
and part Of his plumber TO the reformcrs, in what
respect are the rcformcrs superior to him in
virtue? Such compromises with criminals double
the crime. and put municipal government be-
tween the upper and neither millstoncs "f cor
r,,ption. The court which sanctions the barter
ing of justice for political advantage and cash
IN hand is enemy to society more dangerous
chan a bribe-takng councilman.
The trouble with the North Ameri-
can is that it has so long cultivated
the role of the Pharisee. as to be non
nY,fn inv I'M
the difference between merely profess
sional and really honest reform. The
Municipal league and their colleagues
ir the local effort to clean house are
not at work, as is the North American,
on the wolf-in- -sheep's-clothing prin-
ciple. They are not venting spleen or
pursuing ulterior ends. Consequently
they do not have to keep up a furious
claim to superior righteousness as a
cloak for factional deals, dickers and
crimes. The North American fails to
understand them because there Is no.
body in it's environment who has any
practical acquaintance with honesty of
purpose carried forward without vim
dictiveness.
MT. StuFSeS Std dtelllenl Oh tne motives
and considerations which influenced
the league to settle the ten cases on
the published terms is clear, candid
and wholly creditable. The basis of
settlement is an excellent illustration
of common sense and intelligent eX-
pediency as distinguished from fanati-
cism. The pushing of these cases re-
lentlessly would inevitably have pro-
voked a sympathetic reaction and a re-
coil into hostility among the very
classes in the community whose cordial
moral support, now secured and as
sured, is necessary to the future sue
cess of practical local reforms. 1t is
a capital exemplification of the doctrine
that where sometimes the letter of the
law killeth, the spirit maketh free.
AS for the concurrence of the judges,
a years clogging Of the courts with
endless vexation and confusion, has
been averted, and it would be fortu-
nate development for a suffering
community If more cases could be
equally well settled out of court.