The age-herald., 1901-02-17
TAMMANY LEADERS
 ARE IN HIGH GLEB Practical Abandonment of the
 Crusade Against Vice REFORM WAVE LOSES FORGE Indignant Citizens Desirous of Good Government Are Asking What the Swell Committee Ia Dolnp--Can-
 aldates for Mayor.
REFORM WAVE LOSES FORCE

New York, February 16.-(Special.)- The reform wave that swept the city six or eight weeks ago, as a result of the vice exposures. has apparently spent It's force. If the various organizations with impos- ing membership that were appointed to effect better conditions are doing any thing, the fact Is not apparent Tam many's purificatlon committee professes to have found some evidence that may send few obscure and uninhuenual law breakers to State prison, and have hand cd it over to the new reform district at- torney but he has not deemed 1t of suffl- clent importance to lay 1t before the grand jury Up at Albany there Is ostenslbly an efcort being made to secure tho re- formation of the police department, which is really the headquarters of all the cor ruptlon that exists, but no ono expects that much good will follow from any measure that may be devised or any change that may Do made. The explana- tion of it all Is that the organized army of crime has ''bigger pull'' in both par ties than the unorganized multitude of respectable citizens opposed to the law less classes. On election day, the former are the most efficient workers in ninety out of every one hundred election dis tricts, and, practically, they hold the bal ance of power. The truth is that many of the politicians on both sides fear these criminal vagabonds, and hesitate to press vigorous, radical action against them.
 When the crusade as 1t was called, against vice began last October, the Chamber of Commerce, under the hyp- netic influence of sems one that wanted to pose before the metropolitan eemmuui- ty as a reformer, immediately came te the front That Is the usual style of "the Chamber There Is no subject in the heavens above, or on the earth beneath, which the Chamber does not deem st- self wise enough to settle It ''instruetS'' Congress whenever the opportunity pre- sents itself, and, in the plentitude of its wisdom, It spins out yards Ot advice In the shape et resolutions to the President and his cabinet. In it's own opinion, The Chamber is invested with the authorita- tive regulation of the Republic, and when 1t passes a set of resolutions and names a committee, 1t complacently piumes it. that the thing, whatever it may be, is settled, and wraps itself up in the mantle ef It's imaginary dignity.
 This Is what mas taken place in the case of the regeneration of the metropolis. In the closing days of last November the regulation Chamber of Commerce com mlttee to purify New York and put an end to the rule of the criminal classes was appointed. All the great dailies" hailed the event with delight. Whatever tho chamber does Is always acclaimed by them, for 1t is a sort of fetich to every aatr nd6 e- tor and publisher. One Of these news paper worshippers, in commenting on the personnel Of the committee, said at the time: This Is very strong committee. Every member of 1t has won the cordial respect and confidence of the commun- ity. It includes representatives of a number Of classes, each one capable Of supplying under the lead of it's repre- sentative, energy and resources of its own for the prosecution of the work We think that it would be very difficult to select an equal number oI men Of greater influence, of more varied and recognized ability. or of higher character"
 That was the glowing promise of the proclamation. What has been the perform ance? Absolutely nothing, 50 far as the public has been able to learn. Two and one-han months have slipped by during which the vaunted committee has sunk, as Mfr. Cleveland used 10 say, into a con- dition of 'inocuous desuetude." Is 1t any wonder under such conditions that New York is not reformed, and that she con- tinues to maintain her premiership as one of the worst governed communities on the continent, perhaps in the world?
 New York cannot be reformed by Shilly- shally, spasmodic methods and policies of this kind. To accomplish the great end in view, there should be unity and concert of action among a strong body of energetic citizens who will give their whole time to the contest and not devolve the duty upon weak and incompetent underings. The men at the head of Tam many laugh at these amateurish efforts to drive them from power, and confident ly count upon the retention of the gov ernment. And unless some life and en- ergy are enfused into the campaign against them they will not have ealculat- ed in vain.
 If the Chamber of Commerce committee and the committees of a kindred character had during the last two months perform ed the task assigned them the alliance against Tammany would now be we'll ad- vanced under strong leadership. As 1t is that alliace has not yet been created
 There are scores of good men in both parties, any one of whom could assuredly lead the movement to victory. There is for instance, John Mccall, head of one of the greatest life insurance companies in the world. He has the confidence of all classes in the community, knows the nesds and necessities of the city, and is one of the best executives to be found anywhere A stronger candidate for the mayorality could not be found. MT. Hyde is another insurance president for whom the reform clements would be glad to vote. MT Louis Stern, the great dry goods merchant. would make an acceptable candidate. E. M. Knox, whose name Is known in every city in the Union, would, because of hts ability, and high character, be as strong a man as could be named. Seth Low, could he be induced to retire temporarily from Columbia University, could easily defeat Tammany. Banker and Merchant Frank Tilford has an immense following and the confidence of the best classes.
 A feeling of indignation against the men that, in one way or another, have assumed the leadership of the reform movement, is beginning to be aroused. Their inac- tivity excites a sentiment akin to dis gust and 1t is not improbable that there will be in the near future a vigorous call on them to step down and out Success under their Fabfon policy is nearly im- possible. w. T. MANNING.
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