The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-01
REFoRM KUN MID.


American metropolis still maintains
its supreme interest. The entire
political world looks on at the de-
velopments there from day to day. And
each contending political interest places
its own construction on passing events.
For nearly two years the present con-
troller of New: York Mr.. Geler. has been
a central figure in the so-called reform
movement. He has no doubt fulfilled
useful function in municipal economy and
has succeeded in staying the progress Of
raids more or less extensive and well
designed. on the city treasury. But, Ike
all men who set themselves up to adj
( vance in public estimation by demon
strating the iurworthiness of those around
him, Mr.. Coler was in imminent danger
of falling between the two stools of the
organization through whose favor he had
advanced and the active efforts OF the
enemies of that organization
Mr.. Coler is something of a. politician
himself, and he appears to have realized
the peril of his situation POLITICALLY
Hence he has thought proper to make
| overtures to those tonard whom he has
been forced into an attitude of hostility
Seeing that the time was approaching
when the mayoralty nominees would be
CHOSEN by the opposing forces, he wfzely
turns to those to whom he originally
owed his elevation. and presents himself
to their consideration as a desirable cam
didste. His name is accordingly under
consideration by the Tammany organiza-
ton as desirable candidate for the may
crafty ~ s;,;s-:s52sc::s.,s=.s
The reform movement in its latest
phases has run to seed. It has assumed
the nature of hunt after municipal
vice, and the dragging of it forth to
public view. Vice does and will exist of
certain character. Tt is not the product
of political unrighteousness. All that
municipal authority can do to protect so
ciety against its fnroads is to regulate
it. The purists are not content to see it
regulated-and it is better regulated In
New York than In any other great city
In the world. They pretend to aim at
its suppression and to visit the penalty
of its existence on the existing city adj
ministration. That is mere midsummer
political madness, and 1t has become ap-
parent. Mr.. Golfer has realized the truth,
and is guarding himself and mis- political
fortunes against its significance.
Certain press dispatches not current
reveal this political situation as one
which indicates that the Tammany poltti-
clans are very badly frightened over the
progress Of the reform movement, and
in their fright are rushing to accept the
truth. Coler and his friends see the bot
tom falling out of the 'purist movement,
and they are seeking cover. The intellf-
gent reform sentiment of the community
represented by that class of citizens
which desires to see municipal affairs
conducted with as near an approach as
regard paid to their. wishes A large
proportion OF them is disposed to be
Heve that with the safeguard which Col
er's presence in the city conptrollers Of
flee offers they may rely upon having
matters conducted with some substantial
regard to the rights Of the Taxpayers
With such man nominated by Tam
many the end is reached Of the purist
movement In the metropolis, and the city
is saved against the campaign of SANDER
which has prevailed. New York city is
today one of1the best governed cities in
the world. The rights of its citizens are
as surely protected as those of the resi-
dents Of any city, large or small The
vast machine of government moves as
smoothly and with as little Of sextrava-
gance or corruption as is visible else
where. 1t will be a blessing for the com
munity when, an end Is reached Of the
| prevailing political campaign Of irfamy.
The Indications are that Mifuesota sx,y,ll