Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-10-19

the State Legislature from time i'm.
memorial
Sherman's remarks and advice in this
particular direction were not well 10.
ceived either by his audience or by the
public or the press i'm general. Witness
the following from one of the leading
Republican dailies of Chicago. concern
ing the pernicious advice of Speaker
Sherman:
philadelphia. which has. perhaps. at
the present moment the distinction of
being the most corruptly governed city
In Christendom. has two chambers In
its local assembly. New York. which is
at least it's close rival in a deplorable
notoriety. also has two chambers, but
unler its charter as revised by the last
Legislature It will henceforth have but
one. Boston still retains its two cham
bers. but they are VIGOROUSLY the most
| unsatisfactory element in its city gov.
eminent and they have been largely
deprived of power. Baltimore. under
its new charter adopted about three
years ago. has n double-chambered as.
sembly. but the provision therefor was
evidently copied. as was the whole in.
strument in its distinctive features.
from the Greater New York charter
which has already been modified In this
particular.
over against these examples stands
the fact that the most trustworthy and
business.like municipal Council In this
country at the present time is none 9TH
er than our own single chamber. More
over. the revolution which has been
wrought in this body during the last
five years emphasizes the fact that re.
form In local government is not neces-
sarily dependent upon governmental
machinery, and the experience Of the
other important cities Of the country
emphasizes the fact that double.cham.
bered bodies are. at least, no guaranty
Of good government"
When II Is remembered what rob.
bers' roost the City Council of Chicago
was five years ago and had been from
twenty years previous, It will be seen
what a splendid tribute this Is, coming
as It does. from Republican source. to
the, integrity. the general policy, the
mastery ability. and the wise and
shrewd methods adopted by the bril-.
liant young Democrat who. just four
and one-half years ago. was chosen by
the people Of Chicago as their chief
magistrate.
Just think Of Il!
Cleaning out the Chicago City COun.
ell. driving out or drawing the fangs of
all boodlers In that body. and making
OF 1t a municipal legislature that Is
now entitled to a fair share Of the con.
fidence Of the public and the taxpayers.
and calling forth the concentrations of
the press of all shades of political belief
and opinion.
At first glance one would be inclined
to declare this an impossibility.
Four years ana half ago. when
Mayor Harrison made this pledge
many wise ones shook their heads in
doubt.
Yet this Is precisely what Mayor Har.
rison has accomplished.
For It Is TO his exertlons both In the
City Council and outside of 1t. on the
political rostrum and In the press. ev.
erywhere and anyhow. his influence
has been consistently and persistently
directed toward driving the bOOdlers
out OF the City Council, and of bridling
them effectually whenever any OF the
old gang succeeded in breaking In.
The result IL that Chicago City COun.
ell Is now fairly honest body. though,
Of course. fur from perfect. II II but
fair to say. however, that It Is regarded
as one Of the best and most business
like body Of Its kind In the country.
So that when we come to look the
ground over, we believe we express the
general feeling Of the community that
the people Of Chicago will hardly turn
10 the Speaker Of the corrupt Illinois
Legislature for advice, while they have
their Mayor and presiding officer of IN
honest ana faithful City Council to nd.
wise them.