The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-22
Crusade Against vice In New York.

Crusade Against Vice In New York.
A genuine crusade against vice has be-
gun In New York. but II is dificult to
determine how long IT win continue or
how successful II may be. There have
been similar movements in the past. and
while something has been accomplished In
the way ora publication of certain Sec
lions Of the city. the reform has been only
temporary and in a short time the abuses
were as widespread and offensive as ever.
The present crusade. like those instituted
in the past. will probably do some good.
but it is doubtful n the vice complained
OF is stamped out for all time.
As long as New York is under the con-
troll Of Tammany and the usual Tammany
methods of governing the municipality
are in vogue IL is not likely there will be
a permanent suppression Of those forms
OF viciousness which Bishop Potter has
recently brought to public attention. SIR.
Croker. just before leaving for Europe.
remarked that In the present movement
Tammany meant business. but no one
will take him seriously. II Is wen known
that one OF the chief reasons for Tam
many's financial strength Il Its power OF
ievying tribute In many quarters and upon
OF the municipality are in politics for what
they can make out OF 1t. They do not
serve their fellow citizens because they
are pubiic-spirited and believe each and
every man should DO his share In the work
OF government They are in politics be-
cause they can make money out OF II. and
that Is the reason that nearly every promi-
nent Tsmmany man who has been identi-
fed with the city government for many
years Is rich
License to break the law is given IN
New York only for a consideration. and
this consideration finds its way to those
particular Tammanyites to whom certain
special rights OF bisckmail have been
farmed out. The aggregate OF these levfes
II enormous and hundreds share in II,
the patrolman- 1t 10 . great system Of
Illegal taxation. perfectly developed and
admirably worked so a. to gather In a
tribute that runs into the hundreds OF
Thousands. There IL no form OF vice that
escapes or that does not pay for Tam
many protection all that II can stand. II
h a process Of bisckmsii that has really
grown into an institution SO powerful taat
II can defy public sentiment. and when
rebul<ed give the famous Tammsny re-
Spouse. "waat are you going to DO about
itr-
In starting n crusade against vice Bishop
Potter and those associated with him OPP
pose a political organisation that II
strongly intrenched and win not yield up
its Illicit revenues without stout resist
ance Money means more than anything
else TO Tammany. ana those who have been
making money through their connection
with the Democratic organization will re-
iinauish nothing without bringing an
their political strength ana influence 70
resist the crusaders. They may 20 through
the forms OF yielding and acquiesce ia
the reform. but 40 long a. the Tammany
oreapisa,ion Is constituted as at present
II viii never cease Of iss own accord to
levy tribute wherever II can md people
who are In a position to pay and win sub
NIT to estor,ion in return for privileges
and police protection.