The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-12
CIVIC CORRUPTION AND PROS
pEHITE

Philadelphia and New York pride them
selves on the fact that more than any
other OF Americas great cities they have
been free from labor troubles and striles.
It is d fact that Philadelphia has done
great things for the laboring classes by
fostering technical schools and public
libraries until the working men have
become artists and designers. as were the
handlcraftsmen in medieval times
The effect Of opportunity has been to
stimulate industry. aud the results of
education have been TO prod ace an in
finitely higher class of work. The people
and the city have both prospered exceed
inGly under this state of affairs and TO
the superficial observer judging only by
material standards, it would appear that
an earthly utopia had been reached. In
New York the schools have not been so
good, nor ;laye the opportunities been Sc
numerous, but still there have been no
serious collisions between tie classes. and
business and traffic have never been
stopped as in ST. Louis last year, all of
which Tammany points out with modest
pride as the result of its government
But what are The facts? Is i truce
bought by the corruption of the springs
OF civic life better than war? Is any
strike or lockout capable of the same
harm to a community as the state of
affairs now existing in New York and
Philadelphia?
An f,ny, Ito ;a1,> 7; CHI
Potter, OF New York says:
Valuable public franchises are given
away. contracts are openly disposed of to
favocite bidders in the face of lower
offers by responsible parties. crime runs
rampant policy shops. gambling houses,
the Illegal sale of liquor, houses OF i'll
repute are not only tolerated, but are
protected by the powers that should sup
press them: and in addition TINS almost
incredible and yet perfectly truthful pic
ture OF electoral corruption and crime:
Terrorism not surpassed in the dark
est days OF political out-ases in the
South prevailed in many districts at our
late election. AS many as four hundred
police officers and forty detectives were
nassed in a single ward to prevent
free expression CT the popular will and
10 carry the election for candidates die
tated and favored by the administration.
Legal electors were prevented from vot-
ing. fraudulent voters and reporters We're
encouraged and assisted and protected
from arreSt-in sort. such a carnival OF
election crimes has probably never been
equalied in our political history
In commenting upon this state of at
fairs, the Evening Post On. " says:
1t is a fortunate circumstance that
the shocking miSsovernment of Ft,iladel-
Ishia. under Il Republican administration.
should engage national attention a the
same time that misrule in New York
city. under Democratic officials. is blaZ-
oned TO the country. 1t shows that The
evil with which we have to deal is nos
one that is 10 be cured by any mere
Change Of party control
The people Of New York and Ptli!a-
dclpjhia do not differ from any other
people They live in cities where the
prizes for corrupt and ring rule are very
great. These prizes will always be sought
by The class of men who run the city
politics OF those cities and the public
must take an active interest to put and
keep the good men in control, or the
same state Will recur. Mere gain of
money or increase OF artistic appreciation
and production. or spread OF education.
who do not earnestly and actively pio
tect and energize their own political con-
dltions. With all our wealth. NC have
not escaped ring rule in its worst forms
here in America. It Is one Of the worst
danger points OF our NATIONAL hfeL and