The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-10
pIcKWIGkIAN POLITICS.

Make a Play TO Galleries by
Pretending to Fight Quay
Machine.
Washington, July The declara-
ton of war by Postmaster General
Smith in the name Of the Administra-
ton against the Quay machine at
Philadelphia has created genuine
sensation here-not so much,.how-
ever, as it would have, had it not
been for the fact that it is an old
story for national Administrations to
repudiate Pennsylvnia Republic icanism
between elections and then sneak back
and take the benefit of it when the
necessity arises. President Harrison,
it will be remembered, who was elect
ed through the application to the en-
tire United States by Senator Quay OF
his familiar methods, later repudlated
the Senator, although he tried to make
friends again before the next election.
During Quay's fight for reelection to
the Senate, which ended SO triumph
antly a few months ago, he had the
real, though covert support, OF the
Administration, despite the fact that
nothing is known of him now that did
not have its parallel then. The truth
seems to be that the latest steal by
the ring has so startled the country
that the Republican party feels com
PEELED to disavow it again, thus max
ing record for rectitude which will be
maintained until the present scandal
is forgotten.
The truth is that the condition Of
PENNSYLVANIA and Of Philadelphia par
ticularly is worse than that Of New
York ever was, even in Tweed's
palmy days, and calls for some meas
ures to clean the skirts Of the Repub-
lican party from its odium. Postmas-
ter General Smith, as Pennsylva-
nian, was chosen to make the play.
He had been asked to preside at the
monster mass meeting which was held
in Philadelphia last Thursday night,
but was unable to be present. He
wired, however, to the managers of
the meeting: that they could use his
name as one of the vice presidents and
added
It is time for new Declaration Of
Independence. Philadelphia ought to
rise in her might against the iobbers
in her public rights and the ravishers
of her sacred safeguards Of law. -
The sentiment which is aroused In
Philadelphia is shown by the tenor of
the speeches delivered at the mass
meeting, when Col. A. K Mcclure,
the veteran editor, denounced the mu-
nicipal administration as gang Of
thieves and Mayor Ashbridge the
chief of the gang.
The events which have eliminated
in this popular uprising are many.
The exposure of the election frauds was
one of the first and was followed by
the successful effort of the city govern
ment to control the board of tax re-
vision, the board having previously
been appointed by the court in order
to secure an impartial and Just assess
ment. When it was found that the
local officials had secured the power to
make arbitrary assessments and were
determined to use it Ito the detriment
of all who were against the machine,
there was general Indignation. This
increased when the city franchises
were given away, but the climax came
when the district attorney, r.
tRothernel, jr., who had earned the
hostility of the city government by
! the vigorous manner in which he
prosecuted the election frauds, was
denied a denomination. 1t was openly
stated by the local machine leaders
that he was deposed in order that a
district attorney might be nominated
who would be under their complete
control When this situation arose the
citizens took the matter in their own
hands and at the mass meeting placed
Mr.. Rothnermel in nomination.
From this time until election day,
four months distant, the fight will be
between the machine and the indie
pendent element, and the outlook is
for one Of the liveliest campaigns ever
seen in Philadelphia. It is expected
that the reformers, who have not yet
chosen party name, will eventually
nominate an entire ticket. The term
of Mayor Ashbridge will not expire
for anther year, so that no personal
fight can be made upon him, but his
administration will be bitterly attack
ed. Already il. is alleged that Phila
delphia is honey-combed by corruption
more fragrant and unblushing than
marked the,.Tweed regime or the worst
days of Chicago or San Francisco.
The tribute paid by vice to secure its
immunity from punishment isSs said to
be greater than was disclosed by the
Investigations into the methods of
the New York police, and it is assert
ed that if the district attorneys Office
could be controlled by the city ring,
criminal prosecutions would entirely
cease, except In the cases of those
persons who refused to pay the levy Of
blackmail
PROF. JOHN =FIsKE DEAD.