The Washington times., 1901-11-09
The perfect Work of Patience.

There is one thing which will have to
be taken into account sooner or later,
in connection with the reform admins
tration in New York. which may not
appear at present; and 1t is this: That
every reform that anybody wants can
not be accomplished in a minute. In
the relief and joy of freedom from Tam
many. buoyant and irresponsible per-
sons are saying to themselves that now
all of their pet schemes will be carried
out, and everything will be just as they
would like TO have it, since the wicked
are no more But the trouble is that
this is not the case. The wicked are not
in that condition; they are still in the
city. and not too badly scared to make
trouble if they see a chance. Does any
body suppose that the corruption of
big city is a thing which can be puri-
fed in ore administration? There are
some folk who seem TO think so, and il
will be well for them to so into some
quiet corner by themselves, and reflect.
Ii is not necessary to be discouraged,
however. The victory of the reform
movement was a great thing for New
i ~ >
But one of the chief dangers lies in the
undeniable fact that however earnest,
skillful, and sagacious the new admin
istration may be, 1t cannot please every
body, and il cannot undo in a year the
evil which has been done in a much
longer time, 1t will have the inborn
cussedness of human nature, and the
sluggishness of Indifference, and the ac-
tive opposition of its enemies, to reckon
with and these things are quite enough
without the feult-finding of those who
should be its friends.
The way in which Mayor Low and his
subordinates will have to go to work is
one which precludes any uifiing with
minor issues. They will for the present
be obliged TO concentrate their energies
on large matters, and on plans which
are reasonably sure to succeed. When
the big things are settled, the little
things are apt to take care of them
selves. But one Of the great dangers Of
every reform party, and every associa-
ton of conscientious people for any
purpose, Is that of schism. Petty jeal-
ousies Will creep in; narrowness Of pur-
pose comes in contact with mighty is
sues, and acts like pebble in the shoe
of a man who Is trying TO run a race
under handicap; and the very people
who should be supporting reform with
all their might and main are too often
/ che ones who make it unpopular.
This fact is not pleasant, but it is not
so bad a encouragement as it might be
conscientious people, when they are
once convinced that 1t is their duty to
unite, usually exhibit whole-souled
loyalty to the cause which puts to
shame any mercenary adherence. There
has never been a great party of reform
which did not include persons of the
most diverse types, temperamentally,
traditionally, and socially opposed to
one another, but nevertheless asso-
ciated, often intimately, in the work
which each had most at heart. If this
IS necessary in a fight for power, IT Is
ten times as necessary in questions of
administration. Whatever measures
are taken to give New York a just,
clean, and honest government ought to
meet with the sympathy Of all right
minded people in that city, irrespective
of their personal feelings toward the
municipal officials.