The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-06
NEW YORK REFORM BATTLE.
A Fusion Ticket with an Eminent
Independent Democrat at Its
Head the Only Hope of
Defeating Tammany.

Copyright, 1901. Cosmographic Coz
New York, April eff New York fails
to begin the second year of the new CEN
fury with a municipal administration
which shall be a credit instead of a dis
grace TO American civilization and to pop
ular government, IL will be because there
is a tacit understanding between the lead
ers and managers of the rival political
rings and machines. That is cold clear,
absolute fact. The only hope, the only
chance of defeating Tammany Hall under
the rule of which the city reeks with
crime and vice of every description, is
in putting a non-partisan fusion candi-
date for Mayor in nomination. He can
be elected by hundred thousand major
fy.
If the Tracy experiment of 1897 is repeat
ed this year, the candidate, whoever nc
may be, will be more badly beaten than
the ex-Secretary of the Navy was then;
and with three nominees in the running
Tammany will win by a plurality far
larger than Mayor Van Wyck obtained.
This would give Tammany new lease Of
power, and there can be no question that
with such verdict in its favor, the Grim
inal conditions that prevail at the present
time would be intensified hundred-fold.
Possibly we should have a short spasm
of reform for the sake Of appearances ana
to placate the better elements but per-
manent reform under Tammany rule is
out of the question. The wicked forces
of society are all on its side, and compose
at least one-third of its voters. They
submit to the blackmai Of the Tammany
politicians; they contribute to the cam
palgn fund in every election, and In re-
turn for all this they demand protec-
ton in their violations of all the laws
aimed at the repression of vice, and they
get it, If these classes were eliminated
from the Tammany vote, the organization
would be in a minority. To drive them
out of the dens and dives in which they
pursue their criminal methods OF living
would be to cut Off the golden stream OF
revenue that now fructifies the fat Tam
many political pastures and enriches It's
official aristocracy.
/ must not be understood for a moment
as asserting that all who profess allegi-
ance to Tammany are unworthy citizens.
To do so would be an outrageous libel.
The Overwhelming majority OF those that
vote for Tammany candidates are reput-
able men. They are sincere, earnest DEM
coats from conviction and principle, and
they deplore the vicious conditions that
exist Their theory is that Republican
would not make matters
better, and that many of the evils COM
planned of are beyond all human regua-
ton. This Is the process OF reasoning by
which they satisfy their consciences. and
so 20 on year after year voting for tho
men put up for their support by the one
man power in Tammany. IL is from this
class that the votes must come to turn
the scales against Tapmany IN the next
contest But they will not
vote for Republican. Neither a Tracy
nor Low can win them away from
Tammany, ana 10 put In the field a man
Of this description rs to give the victory
to Richard Croker, and, as a oonse-
quonce, to fasten Crokerism and all that
It implies upon the city.
TO down Tammany and 10 reform the
city the fusion candidate must bs a Dem
ocrat Of high character. who has not been
Identified with practical politics IN the
past This rs the opinion OF the most
thoughtful men IN che oltzena move
menf. ~ u n called. and N they can
nave their way, the cnoice will fall upon
some eminent merchant Of und0ubted
standing ana Acknowledged business abil-
~, a man that cen think and ace Tor