Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-30

in Chicago, searching out the records of aldermen, publishing them to the world, and supporting the candidacy of the better men, no matter to which party they belonged, has brought about that astonishing phenomenon in American politics, an honest and ef- ficient city council in great city. New Orleans lifted herself from the mud and achieved honest government for one administration. and 1t was by n non-partisan movement that she did 1t. She sank back again, but we may De sure it is only for time. These are conspicuous instances of progress. How is it on the other side? No city in the country. I suppose, has suffered more or is suffering more from hope lessly corrupt government than Phila- deFphia. Yet she has a population, apparently, better equipped mentally and morally for good government than the great majority of largo cities; but I suppose there is no city in the country so entirely welded to strict party politics as this sane P5iladcl- pfia. Pittsblrg suffers in t5e same way. Cincinnati ress: content and disgraced under the absolute sway of a vulgar and corrupt boss. As long as these cities do not develop a strong body of citizens with courage and wis dom enough to free themselves from slavery to party in municipal affairs they will suffer and they will deserve to suffer. But let us bake courage. The spirit of new patriotism is ris- ing in our cities throughout the coun- try. In many unexpected places we hear the cry, No national politics in municipal elections" We heard it this week from the lips of brave and in telligent candidate for mayor in Bridgeport, himself candidate on a party ticket The long process of ed ucation is bearing fruit Remember that this education is the main thing It may be that next Tuesday Seth Low will be beaten in New York. l think not. but it is possible. We may have another Tammany debauch and still another. Then we shall hear from the men of little faith that we can never. succeed. I would not be- little the consequences of such dis aster. But let us not forget that in 1897 hundred and fifty thousand men in New York voted for third ticker when each of the regular parties had put up it's candidate. That was an epoch making fact in American munic- ipal politics That vote is steadily growing, and whether we win or lose this election, it is the great factor in New York politics which works for righteousness. Tammany knows it. Do you think it was reform within the party that caused the nomination of Edward M. Shepard or of Grout and Fornes?
 There is much in our favor Every
 man who by argument or experience is in his mind freed from the domina- tion of national party in municipal af- fairs is so much gained for the cause, no matter how. long it may be before he 'cai, express his sentiments by a vote. The movement in Chicago sprang to life in a few weeks, if we judge by appearances, but the process of education had been going on for years Of course practical results will be few until there are enough of such men to organize. The spirit man. fests itself at last in many different ways in different cities. now by a great third party which unites with the weaker of the other two. as in New York. now by q league of municipal voters voting for the better candidates, regardless of party, now by frighten- ing the two parties to bid by excellent nominations for the support of f,he non- partisans. It matters not: the essential thing is the growth of the number of citizens who can separate in their minds things local from things nation al. So wa go on hv argument, by in sniration from good example. and by bitter experience. The publication of the brave things that have been done in some cities will be wonderfully helpful, so too will the publication of the disgraceful things in others. We owe debt to publications like Nc Clure's and the New York Times for putting before the public in simple, at- tractive form the story of the city gov ernments uD to date. Thesgood work is bearing fruit already.
 How far shall we succeed in going toward the utter banishment of na- tional politics from local politics? Who can tell? One thing is certain. we shall go far beyond what we dream of now as within the realm of the pos sible Where there were practically none thirty years ago who thought of these things. there are hundreds of thousands now. and our progress is rapidly accelerating. To the sDoils- man. to the Tammany politician, in whatever city or in whatever party you find him, to the corDoration that thinks it owns us and will own us for ever. we may give the answer that Paul Jones gave when the English captain asked: Have you struck your fag?" "We have not vet begun to fight"
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