New-York tribune., 1901-11-24
CH1AGO'S REFORM WAVE.
MANY EFFORTS FOR THE PURIFICATION
OF THE MUNICIPALITY.

OF THE MUNICIPALITY.
Chicago, Nov. 22-Is Chicago to be made
clean by the wave Of reform which Is sweeping
over the city? Is no department OF political
and municipal activity to escape. or is there to
be q complete renovation and busting up In the
dark places?
The questions have sufficient reason behind
them to warrant a review of the situation ana
the outlook. Spasmodic reforms have struck
Chicago before now. There have been outcries
against specific evils, clamorings for court re-
forms for reorsanization in quasi-public insti-
tutons for war against gambling and vice and
crime. They have worked fitfully for a time
and then the forces behind them have crept
away to rest. Save for brief awakening anu
a temporary correction Of one or two so-calieo
conditions nothing has resulted-certalnly no
apparent permanent good.
But now there has crept up. unannourced, un-
heralded by blare of trumpets or loud boasts OF
individuals what is unquestionably a general
movement. 1t is sweeping wide range
and has resulted ir the downfall or pohtlcal
offceholders, The unearthing OF dishonest OF III
efficient work, making examples OF oHehoeIS
aCa1nst the law and society by sending repre-
sentatves of class of public sapsuckers to
the penitentiary and by similar radical steps
Where is it to end? Who is behind it? Why
has it assumed such unusual proportions? To
seems to argue its continued vigor until such
time as the city will have been overhauled more
completely than it ever has been before since
It became metropolis.
No one is behind it, and every one is. That is
to say, no one organization is responsible for
its initiation. 1t began with little things. Some
one found fault with alleged bogus expense
account in the detective department of the po-
lice force The trial of police lieutenant fol-
loved before the Civil Service Board. Later
two newspapers published a story about bru-
tai attack by two policemen former thief,
who said he wanted to reform The Civil Ser
vice Commission has punished both officers The
chief of detectives has now fallen under the ban
and he is deposed.
The oil inspector. Bobby Burke, has fallen
from his throne, lost his position. is indicted
and awaiting trial The Corporation Counsel in
ssts that the County Treasurer must be content
with a salary and that he owes the treasury
great sums OF money taken as fees. The Fire
Department is the way to investga-
tion for violations of the Civil Service law, and
ether departments OF the city government
standing in fear. it is understood, lest the finger
of investigation should yet turn their way. So
much for the reform broom in the City Hall.
Again. without any one shouting about it, the
States Attorney has been working cut success
fully number OF prosecutions which have af-
fected numberless offices and several classes Of
public servants police lieutenant first
on trial for attempting to defraud the State
The Grand Jury voted the indictment for Burke
under the States Attorneys direction. A lawyer
has been sentenced to the penitentiary for Illicit
court practices. and a constable conniving with
him was rebuked by judge: Alexander Sul-
van. for twenty years one of the most conspcu-
Gus lawyers and public characters in the city. is
on tria iyIry hrih head
ing a supposed jury bribing syndicate, and the
States Attorney and his chief assistant Civ
ing their personal attention to the prosecution
This covers wide range Of departments.
Meanwhile the great fight for taxes from
the corporations carried through to favor
able decision from the Supreme Court and now
the State Board of Equalization has begun to
obey the mandates Of that judicial body. The
corporations. it seems inevitable. must hence
forth pay millions where they have paid thou
sands heretofore. and must pay for years gone
by as we'll for the present and the future
The tax consuming bodies of city, county and
State smile and glad. 1t means large sums
for the city, the library, the schools. parks and
other departments. Only the professional poll
ticans are disconnected. The corporations have
swelled campaign funds. and here and there
they presumably filled individual pockets. If
they have to pay fun and honest share of
taxes what need have they OF the protection or
friendship OF political officeholders?
And along with all these open developments
there has been the hidden fear as to where the
attack would next break out. Naturally this
has led to the tightening of the lines all around
The gamblers have been told to close their
places or be very careful not to become often
sive. and dives with music halls have been or
dered to lock the gates and go away until fur
ther notice. It is safe to say that II any of the
minor department heads in the City Hall have
been approprating funds in the past they are