New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-28
roUBTN tTTON AND LEADERSHIP

The meeting which was organized by the
Chamber Of commerce aud held mt it's head
quarters Yesterday was so far as il went an
encouraging demonstration of that civic spirit
In which New-Nork is too generally lacking.
NoI 10y ia" qualifying phrase do we intend 10
imply III" slightest dislara cement of proceed
lnC notable in itself and likely to have impor-
'ant consequences. Its purpose was not to
lhiflat@ movement for the publication of this
cifE. hut N stimulate at opportune moment
ihe deep feeling which has already been called
INTO existence. 70 promote Il combination of all
The Influences IN which appea, rom present
conditions naturally lies, and if possible 10
formulate plan of united action so as 10 avoid
Waste of energy and prevent such a relaxation
of interest rs Tammany. with too much reason
hopes IN witness. These objects are essential
New-lork has seen many a temporary blaze of
indignation following disclosures Of official rot
tenness. hut seldom has popular sentiment
passed into action. Moreover when il has and
something has in consequence been actually ac-
complished. partial result has been treated as
If II were complete and final victory The
enemies If IN" community. diSlodgpd but no,
oTerthrown 81 thoroughly demoraIizcd have
mao the satisfaction OF seeing vigilance and in
terest relax. As il there were no further need 70
and express il in concerted effort and have
confide ntly waited for their time 10 como again
There are welcome Indications that thousands
of citizens who have hitherto made the mistake
of permitting their zeal 10 lanculsb when us per
sistence at the highest pressure was mpers
lively necessary are now resolved tha, the true
civic spirit shall be kept burning To that end
the meeting al The Chamber of Commerce yes
tcrQaN DESIGNED ia triln
faith that il will. The right feeling already
exists and seems TO be spreading rapidly; but
IL must be far more general and intense The
city taken a whole has scarcely hagnn tn no
aroused. and the danger has been that il vould
relapse from spasm Of virtue into it's custom.
AIRY state OF Indifference and thus hcstoy on
Tammany the only opportunity II needs to util-
lie its resources and strengthen it's intrench.
ments. That danger has fortunately beep
diminished by the sagacity OF those who We're
forced TO the front OF the movement Mr.
Cookers agents in the spurious scheme OF re-
form from within the organization were exceed
ingly anxious 10 lure Bishop Potter into a iran
But he WAS hot 10 lie caught Neither was
Professor Adler, whose letter to Tamrnany'.
Publication Committee was model both In
discernment and expression. Those who are
BOW in power. he wrote the constituted authori
ties, allowed the state OF things which they con
fess TO be intoierable 10 grow up. They have
ample power 10 create The reform which is de
manded and which they profess 10 advocate
But" he added. we must plainly declare oul
rF'eoavicti0n that the public viii be content witt
mo superficial reform: reform that cuts on
%'the fringes of the evil and leaves the bulk Of II
2~intact: no reform that shall consist in Offering
s<up a propitiatory sacrifice few Of The
Slesser culprits while permitting those who ar,
more darllly and deeply implicated TO pursue
their Defari0us courses with impunity" Thi,
LEAVES the Mayor and his associates free II the,
5ere really rPpeniant. 10 prove il by bringing
R6rth the appropriate fruits of repentance and
fo enjoy the reward No one will hinder them
nnd they need no help.
Regret Will he felt ~ first bocaJISe If Bi~hor
kFotters determination not 10 figure longer in