Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-26
STIR IN QUAKER CITY
Staid Old Philadelphia Convulsed by
Political Campaign.
REVOLT IN REPUBLICAN RANKS
Fusion Movement to Down a Cor
rupt Machine.
THE ISSUES AS JOINED

| Special From Staff Correspondent
| PHILADELPHIA, October 26.-One of the
most interesting political situations in the
| United States today exists in Philadelphia
| A political revolution has been set on foot
| that not only is convulsing the city OF
| brotherly love, but which is extending to
| the rest of the state, and is manifesting it.
| self In many sections. In some respects
| the present situation is one Of the most re-
| markable that Pennsylvania and certainly
| Philadelphia has ever experienced. The
| outcome is uncertain, but present cendi-
| tions are such as to attract the attention
| of the country and to draw the notice of
| the. public to the astounding state of mu-
! nicipaI affairs in this city.
For several years there have been NUT
terngs by the residents against their local
government. Periodically the complaints
would break out in public expressions of dis
approval At all times there was an under
current of dissatisfaction on the part of
portion of the press and faction of the
people, but the community seemed hard to
move to concerted action. Political inter
ests and political jealousies worked to the
end of preventing a great public movement
to remedy the alleged evils uatil few
months ago.
The city is. and has been for long .ime.
| under republican control 1t is significant
that the present insurrection was inaugu-
rated by republicans, and that democrats
were invoked in the name of good citizen
ship and honest municipal government 70
help the movement.
Storm Broke Last Summer.
The storm Of popular resentment. which
has been gathering for a long time broke
early last summer. 1t was precipitated by
what at that time seemed slight incident.
The fact was that the apparently unimpor-
| tant affair turned out to be the straw that
broke the camels back. The revolution
was started and has been constantly ecow
| ing in power until it now has assumed Sc
rious proportions.
Early last summer the republican party
of Philadelphia, what is known as the ma
chine organization began to get ready to
| make nominations of city officials for the
fall elections. Mr.. p. F. Rothermel, a
publican, had been district attorney and
had made record for efficiency in prose-
cutting notorious offenseS against the law
which had scandalized portion of the
community for years. He had been espe-
cially vigilant in bringing to Justice vio-
lators of the election laws, fragrant cases
| Of perverson of the right OF franchise. 1t
was expected that Mr.. Rothermel would be
renominated and reelected, of course, to
continue the crusade he had inaugurated.
The machine organization however, de-
cided to refuse the nomination to Mr.. Roth
ermel, and it was openly charged in Phila-
delphia that the republican leaders desired
district attorney or less aggressive char
aoter than the incumbent.
This started the trouble. A wave Of in
dignation swept over the city, moving re-
publicans and democrats alike to resent
ment. A town meeting Of citizens was
called, to meet at the Academy Of Music.
The house was packed to overfowing and
10000 people clamored for admission on the
outside. The situation was reviewed in
ringing speeches by prominent men, and
committee consisting of five republicans
and four democrats was appointed to de-
termine whether 1t was advisable to run an
independent ticket for district attorney and
other county officers.
Decision of the Committee.
The committee decided in the affirmative,
a convention was held, attended by men of
both parties, and a ticket was nominated
for county officers, well known democrats
and republicans being placed upon it. The
| republican machine organization later nomi-
mated complete county ticket, which is
In the field.
In the meantime the democratic machine
organization in the city fell into disrepute.
This organization is dominated by Messrs.
Ryan and Donnelly At that time ex-Gov.
Pattison, the most prominent democrat in
the state. was chairman OF the democratic
committee. The situation soon became in
tolerable to Mr.. Pattison, and he cut loose
from his old associates, joining the new in
dependent movement which had taken the
name Of the union party, and bringing with
him many of the prominent men of his
party The old democratic organization
would not give up, however. and nominated
county ticket.
In order to emphasize the fusion which
had been effected by the union party, be-
tween the republicans and democrats of the
city, combination was made between the
republicans and democrats on the state
ticket. state treasurer and a supreme
court Judge are to be elected this fall. The
democratic candidate for one place and a
republican candidates for the other were
indorsed by the two parties on fusion
ticket.
against the republican machine organiza-
ton.
Address to the Citizens.
| An address to the citizens of Philadelphia
was circulated in which the municipal gov
ernment was arraigned in these words:
The present condition of municipal af-
fairs has rendered it necessary to appeal
to all honest, upright, liberty-loving cfti-
zens to vote against the corrupt political
machine that is now assuming to govern
our city. AS representatives of combina-
tfon of all parties striving to elevate the
| present condition of public affairs, we al
lege that those in control of our municipal
government have not only abused the trust
reposed in them, but have brought our city
into disrepute and disgrace throughout the
country.
I'VE charge that public contracts are let
to machine favorites who are the highest
bidders, that impossible time limits are
/! fixed to favor such contractors who after
ward give no heed to these provisions, but
sublet contracts to their competitors who
had been lower bidders, thus putting into
their own pocket the difference between
| the favorites bid and that which the city
| might have originally obtained.
I'VE charge that the city Is paying for
| its electric and gasoline lighting 80 per
cent more than the price at which another
responsible company offered to do any and
| all of the work.
I'VE charge that in the disposal of its
| garbagef the city is paying one-half more
| than New York and twice as much as
Brooklyn.
/, Franchises Given Away.
THAT franchises worth millions of dol
! lars have been given to political partners Of
those in power without compensation in
| any form to the public.
That fayorite telephone company has