New-York tribune., 1901-01-05
CAUSE OF MUNICfPALEVILS
REMEDIES DISCUSSED AT THE CITY
CLUB DINNER.
BISHOP POTTER TELLS OF AN OFFER, SAID
TO BE FROM CROKER, TO SACRIFICE
HFRIIHY AND cRoss-MR PECK
HAMS CRITICISM.
HAMS CRITICISM.

HAMS CRITICISM.
Mary memorable dinners have been held at the
City Club, but few, if any, have equalled or
eclipsed the one held there last night, which
brought together more than hundred and
thirty men for the purpose Of giving expression
TO their opinions, or listening to the ideas OF
Others, as to ''The Causes Of Our Municipal Mis-
rule" Those who had suggestions to make eS-
pressed them in an explicit, forceful and enter
tanning manner. Their hearers showed that
they sgere in accord with what the speakers
said by frequently applauding. Though the sub
Ject Of discussion was the causes of municipal
degradation, the speakers not only told Of the
ills that afiict the body polite responsible for
existing municipal evils and the causes that
superinduced those Ills, but suggested ways and
means OF eradieating them.
IL seemed TO be the consensus of opinion Of the
speakers that the way to elevate the moral tone
of the community. TO insure the righting Of mu-
nicipal wrongs and 70 relegate 10 oblivion those
who responsible for the present maladmns-
tration OF municipal affairs was individual vigi-
lance. honesty and righteousness. coupled with
concerted action by those interested in infusing
higher aims, higher ideals, and in reaching
.xatisfactory condition in the management of mu
axieipal Offices
Wheeler 81. Peckham. president Of the club
was in the chair. and his right at the guests
table sat Mark Twain and John e. Parsons On
his left Were Bishop Heary C. Potter, st. Clair
iAIcKelway and Charles Sprague Smith. All
those who sat at the guests table spoke. j.
Noble Hayes was chairman of the Entertain
,ment Committee. Before the speechmaking was
begun he arose and read a number of letters of
regret Letters were received from Governor
iOdell District Attorney Philbin. Charles Stewart
Smith. Robert c. Morris. William II. Baldwin,
Joel b. Erhardt and ex-Mayor Hewitt
Mr.. Baldwin, who is the chairman OF the COM
snittee OF Fifteen. said i'm his letter that the
work of the committee in sense partisan,
and that il would only try to DO those things
which il could accomplish. He hoped that the
work of the committee would merit the approval
OF persons OF all political affiliations who were
anxious for good government. He further hoped
that the committee would be able to put check
upon the present fostering of evil. Mr. Baldwin
IS suffering with the grip and could not be pres
ent, he was not strong enough.
Mr. Erhardt was also absent account of
sickness. He, too. is suffering from the grip
In his address Bishop Potter said that the
practical lesson which he had wished to convey
sn his address at ST. Paul had seemingly been
lost in the minds of the public. 1t was that
each citizen should strive his best 10 better the
condition Of affairs by seeing that the police
did their duty and in other ways He also said
that the greed for pecuniary gain was the root
of all the existing evils, and that before he sent
his letter to Mayor Van Wyck regarding the
evils existing in the neighborhood OF the Pro-
Cathedral and about other things, emissaries
had called on him TO know what form of sacri-
flee Of those in charge of the police force couio
be made TO satiate his revenge.
WHEELER III. PECKHAMs ADDRESS.
The first address of the evening made by
President Peckham. In discussing the causes
n. {V~v v.oyf
The cause Of the evils exists in the fact that the
men who control the CITY administration bad
srredeernably bad. This condition of affairs exists
men in the community showing themselves strong
saiSrI becsnse there is not denomination enough
put into office men who viii see that this ms
now because we have not men with sufficient good
ness. energy and determination to right matters;
You can't remedy the existing evils by law but but
seeking 20 put in their places some one who viii
honestly and intelgently administer affairs. You
overcome the bad men in office, but put men in
ce who are not only nTt t sasne SU
must perish under an aggressive and honest ad-
sninistration.
IRoKER's OFFER TO BISHOP POTTER.
Bishop Potter then spoke. In introducing
Bishop Potter President Peckham said:
desire to introduce to yo9 one Who has has done
of the community than any other person
Bishop Potter spoke in part as follows:
believe in original sin. but L don't believe In
Total deDravity.
He referred TO story told about the Pilgrim
Fathers by President Peckham. Continuing he
said:
have had relations with the Police Board for
city is individual vigilance and activity the one
Of practical value maze at 81 paqhs ms
citizen an executor OF the law No finer thing IN
ever done than Governor Roosevelt did when as
Police Commissioner he went about the streets at
it aataraiiy brought &c the policemen's minds that
,they were being watched.
would IKE 70 ask how many Of you give your
icandidly if you are doing the right thing.
The Bishop told of two men with sleeves rolled
mp TO fight in Central Park when policeman
was about. He asked one policeman why that
was allowed, aad the officer answered, tits rain
sng" He reasoned with the man, and few
, days later another man came to him and said
The police could not go out in the rain, as IT
would spoil their uniforms.
We have chivairic race Of men In this city who
iions IL is case OF buttons The one unpardonabie
crime among certain people is TO inform on one an
other You must bring about state OF affairs 10
,naee this state OF habitua wrong impossible. You
,n tne mayor chalr who can bring about a better
state OF affairs unless there is backing of public
against every effort 10 make the city rghteous YOU
have net only the element of indifference but that
OF cupidity. 1T is the greed and lust the human
mind TO get some personal enrichment.
gNr croker II would be SATISFIED with ep The head
Of Mr. Cross or Mr. Herlihy. explained that
:na that 4 they did not carry out their orders il
one does s not o s S pse ayeFy sesss P
q good man, but BY favor of some one AS I said
You must nroouce into schoo He conmerns no
lie and political life something higher than greed