The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-08
MOROCCO and NEW YORK.

ne" y Ofk pfldeS ltSeif, ana WITH great
justice, on the wealth and intelligence Of
its citizens and the political acumen that
has always characterized its public lead
e,s. and the city which claims among its
citizens such men as Samuel j. Tildep
may well point with deprecating gesture
to the abilities o. Boss Tweed, who ap-
Piled his political sagacity and force
chiefly 10 the robbery of his fellow-citi-
zens. Or in this latter day to Mr.. Richard
Croker. who has risen from the job of
payer 10 the ownership OF 4 big racing
stable and numerous blocks of Ice and
other trust stocks.
Now Morocco IS a part Of the world
which has never produced any enlighten-
ing thinkers or added 20 the political ad-
vances OF mankind. Rather Morocco is
next TO Turkey, q country where eXtor-
ton is a high art and political power
means for leganzed robbery, and yet the
death OF SD Ahmed, the recent Grand
Nizier of Morocco, has served to show that
the dark skinned Moham1nedan is, per-
haps moro of an adept in the art of city
government than his fair skinned brother
in New York
The rule in Morocco" says writer
in BlaCkwoGd's Magazine, ''is that on the
death of AN official all his property is
confiscated by the State, which not only
takes the belongings of the late official,
but very often takes those of his uncles
and cousins Also thereby spreading con-
sternation, suffering. and often total de-
struction throughout his whole connec-
ton. The thzory is that as an official
ilad nothing When he came into power,
50 he should have nothing when he goes
out, and II he has anything it is that
which he has unlawfully kept back from
the revenues OF the State which passed
through his hands. It often happens that
the son OF some one CT the officials who
is raised i'll luxury, surrounded with re-
tinues Of armed servants and multitude
OF slaves and horses, finds himself on the
death OF his father a beggar on the
streets for his daily bread
This was especially true of the great
Sid Ahmed, who held the present Sultan
in the hollow of his hand. and we'll might
he. for the present Sultan. Mulai ADD
cl-Aziz. was put into power by the in
triguc and skill OF Sid Ahmed, who was
the chamberlain OF Mu!ai el Hassan, the
preceding Sultan. No member of ths,
present Sultan's family for the six years
in which Sid Ahmed held the viziership
was allowed to speak to him unless the
Grand NizieT was also present The for
eign and domestic policy of the country
Vas controlled by this Grand ViZier, in
whose wisdom and integrity the Sultan
tad the most profound confidence. Yet
On the death of Sid Ahmed, in accordance
with TIE time hol.ored custom of Morocco
his property was contiscated and the Sui
tan found that during the six short years
OF his official power the Grand Nizier
had anassed a modest fortune OF fifteer
million dollars in gold. which was stored
in his house. besides the numberiess
palaces that he had built throughout the
kingdom.
1t mas never occurred to the Moorish
people that it would he proper to give
these extorted taxes back to the people
for the Sultan regards them as one Of
the prerosatives Of his office.
But suppose that New York mad a rule
Ike this? Suppose. 10 wish no harsher
thing, that the property OF Richard
Croker was al his death TO escheat TO t.,s
city of New York? 1t IS not conceivable
that the Mayor Of New York would be
allowed to keep lit for himself. 1t would
rather be used to found sua.e great pup.
lie institution for the aood CO The people,
Where then would The race na>ses ane
polo ponies Of the younger crol1ers be-
Where would Mr. croker's ::,.nad estates
in ENGLAND and his property in New Yorl
go? And what a saiutary lesson it weuh
be for those vino are tempted 10 ente,
politics from no love OF their State or
fellow-men? How those w,.o are simply
seeking the loaves and fishes would be
tempted TO stop and consider well Whether
the snaves would he worth having If a