New-York tribune., 1901-05-07
MORALS AND MAyORITIES.

1t is common saying that the people Of
! New-YoIk do not really want vice suppressed
and their city honestly governed. The reported
! finding Of the cards Of some reputable men in
the safes of the gambling houses recently raided
! has provoked the suggestion that any thorough
probing Of evils would strike so high and so far
that even the respectable elements Of the com
munity would rally 10 perpetuate existing con
dtions. Is this true: Does the majority pre-
fer license? Are New Workers class whited
sepuichrcs who make n pretence Of public and
private virtue while in their hearts they prefer
government which will protect vice for their
pleasure and grant business favors dishonesty
for their profit?
The answer Of the cynic particularly Of the
Tammany cynic. would he Yes" Yet we think
that any unbiased Judge would reach the oppo
site conclusion. Undoubtedly there is a large
and aggressive element which for reasons OF
selfish Indulgence and financial profit desires a
wide open" town and n corrupt administration
And these are not all Of the coarse and openly
! vicious classes. Some wealthy builders would
/ rather make terms with dishonest officials than
save their bribes and spend the money in erect
ing structures in strict accord with the building
laws Some respectable corporation directors
are glad OF a chance 10 evade the law when the
transaction Of their business is thereby pro-
mofed. or 10 sell goods 10 the city at exorbitant
prices Selishness undoubtedly influences men
I'm their public as well rs their private relations
and public opinion and individual conscience
unfortunately do not hold them 10 so strict an
accountability for wrongs done to the commu-
nifty as for those done 10 particular individuals
Such selfshness. however. is something far diff
ferent from definite choice Of evil presented
10 consciousness as evil. Certainly vast major
ity Of the people Of this city with clear issue
of right and wrong before them Will choose the
right. -Four years ago a majority OF the voters
were plainly against Tammany. but bad coun-
sci. partisan prejudice and diSsensions oyer
unessential points so blinded them TO the crti-
cnl issue that Tamnany obtained power.
The essential thing in making moral senti-
ment effective is 10 get attention really and
clearly concentrated on the moral issue involved
Give The people a question of right and wrong
which they cannot confuse escape by shaping
their course in answer 10 some other question
for instance, whether the Citizens Union or the
Republican organization was to blame for the
nomination Of two ticlets-and they can be
trusted TO decide for the right Unfortunately
few political issues are presented I'm such clean.
cut fashion. Evil forces are clever at creating
diversions and clOuding the judgment They
hint 10 one that the extirpaton Of evil is hope
less and the attempt bound To result In more
harm than good; 10 another that the refOrmers
are hypocrites who would do worse than those
they criticise; 10 another that some more mpOr-
tant moral interest is at stake than the one
under discussion. and that the general welfare
calls for the endurance Of the smaller evil 1t
is almost impossible 10 drive corruption 10 avOw
itself corrupt and demand n vote Of conf
dence on that basis. hut when ii can he done
victory is assured. This was accomplished in
1894 when Tammany revealed in all It's
hideOus partnership with vice and crime. 1t
can he done again If the true nature OF the city
government can bc brought home 10 the people.
and their decision undistracted by questions Of
puritane administration or business policies.
can he secured on the simple issue between an
honest and a decent conduct of affairs and
government OF criminals. by criminals and for
criminals