Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-10-22

. put LutUl Oub. 4 wv years az ia tn'
-Tammany forces united and sue
ceeded in sweeping the city clean O.
Tammany rule-a rule under which
vice and shame openly Haunted theil
defiance; diye-keepers allied them
selves with the police and received
. protection In their infamies; the no
torious "cadet system" fiourished; in
fact, the powers OF darkness worked
their will. There was popular out.
cry at last, men sunk their minor diff
ferences and all joined to shake of
Croker, Van Wyck and Tammany in
favor of an administration that should
bring virtue. good order, financial re-
form and the great city's better ele-
ment to the fore. Croker, selt-exiled
to England, came back and named
Shepard as the Tammany candidate
| for mayor, hoping by putting up a
Iclean man to hide the evil behind him
and save Tammany from impending
disaster His opponent was Seth Low,
Republican with Independent lean
ings, who had served Brooklyn twice
as mayor before the cities were consol-
idated. Low received the endorse
ment of the Republican machine; of
the Citizens Union, political organi-
cation OF non-partisans and OF various
other bodies for the time being at odds
with Tammany. Lows leading par
tisan in that campaign was Jerome,
who had distinguished himself in fol-
lowing up vice under Tammany and
who was nominated for district attor-
ney by the reformers. jerome arous-
ed tremendous enthusiasm by his ear
nestness, throwing into the battle
most intense ardor and energy.
The fusion forces were triumphant.
Low was elected mayor. Tammany
was cast out. Croker abdicated and
went back to England for good. The
task OF the reformers the past two
years has been no light one. That it
has done much toward cleansing the
cesspool left by Tammany is generallps
admitted. There is an end of graft
ing" square business methods prevail,
immense sums have been saved to the
city and the laws are enforced alike
for all and on all.
There have been some mistakes and |
some shortcomings, of course. of
these the hungry horde outside has
made the most There has been more
or less friction over the disposal of Of
fees, resulting in considerable i'll feel
ing among those who won the victory
two years ago. The fact that Low is a
Republican has constantly subjected
him to suspicion in city so strongly
Democratic. But in general way the
reform administration has satisfied
those who care more for clean rule
than for the miserable little iealousies
and chickering's of disappointed politi-
clans.
This year it was apparent that Tam
many, relieved of Croker and with its
own i'll record somewhat dimmed by
time, would make a determined fight
for restoration. Some doubt there
was about the wisdom of renominat-
ing Low in preference to Democrat
who might prove stronger among the
voters. But to throw Low overheard
when the real issue was his own adj
would look like admitting I
defeat in advance, and Low was re-
nominated-against the warning of
Jerome, uttered in spectacular way. h
With Low the fusionists named Grout J
as comptroller and Fornes as president {
Of the aldermanic board, both of whom
have served with high credit the past :
two years.
Murphy, present leader of Tammany.
'ut out truly striking program. 1t !
was to nominate George B. Mcclellan. !
son Of the former army commander,
or mayor and to endorse Grout and .
Fornes. Mcclellan was respectable, 7
put weak, and would do Murphy's {
bidding. Grout and Fornes, as Demo- !
rats, might be endorsed consistently.
md such a ticket would rob the re-
ormers Of much OF their CAMPAIGN
But Murphy encounter
ID trouble in his own camp. He
whipped the New York Democracy
nto line, but the Brooklyn Democrats
lnder the veteran leader, Mclaughlin.
ought hard against Mcclellan. and alb J
olutely revolted against Grout and
'ornes, whom they regard as traitors {
I is true that since the convention
many Brooklyn Democrats, led by Nc {
'arren, refuse to follow Mclaughlin c
nto open rebellion, but the ticket is
'ound to suffer in consequence.
IL was not at first believed thar q