Arizona republican., 1903-10-06
Why the Cities Control.

While there has been much criticism
 of MT. Cleveland's recent article In which he sought to show that the rural districts are becoming less and less in fuential politically because of the dominating leadership of city bosses, there is much truth in the former presidents contention. And it is not difficult to find the reasons for the control which the cities have secured in political affairs.
 Writing on the same subject in the Forum, Mir. Henry Litchf1eld West points out that it is easy to appreciate the fact that large, well organized masses of society compact and actu- ated by a common interest, dominate a scattered and remote population. This situation confronts the politician in the development and management of a state machine. Occasionally, the building up of an organization in the rural districts will be effective. striking illustration of this fact oc- cured when during the four years which intervened between the first and second terms of President Cleveland's administration. his managers secured the indorsement and cooperation of the country press. They ignored the city influences almost entirely. New York city, it will be remembered, was bitterly hostile to his renomination; MT. Bourke Cockrans remarkable speech just prior to the ballot being the expression of this opposition.
 This instance. however. MT. West explains, is the exception which proves the rule. The fact is that mere and more the cities are dominating state politics, so far as nomina tions are con cerned; and to a less extent but still to an appreciable degree, they are de ciding the political complexion of the states in which they are situated. In Maryland, to cite one state, the total vote of the last election was 263,065, of which Baltimore city and county cast 129,357, or practically one-half; and yet Maryland is state which embraces an area of 12,000 square miles and i'm cludes 2S counties. Illinois is another state of large area and dense popula- ton; and yet the vote of Chicago last year was 276,OoO, or 34 per cent. of the entire vote of the state. The inn portance of the vote of Greater New York when compared with the vote of New York state above the Harlem is too we'll known to require more than a mere reference.
 Without going further into detail, it is merely necessary to remark that St. Louis in Missouri, San Francisco in California, Milwaukee in Wisconsin and, in fact, the largest cities in all the states are the pivots upon which the political affairs in those states re- volve. It is a condition which will be- come more marked as time progresses; for the number of delegates is based upon voting strength, and the popu- lation of the cities is increasing in a ratio far exceeding that Of the rural districts. The day will come, and ere long. when the people of the counties will simply be the automatons to regis ter the will of the political bosses who rule the city wards, unless, indeed, the farmers and other rural voters com- bine in order to secure for themselves a voice in political control. This com bination will be difficult to effect. Di- versity of interest, loyalty to local candidates, impossibility of compact and disciplined organiza tion-all these will be obstacles to prevent any con- certed effort to overthrow the power of the great cities. The fact is that we are approaching, if we have not al ready approached. a condition which means that the cities will goven and control. This is unfortunate, because the average of honesty. intelligence and independence is very high in the rural districts.
 American Criticism of Mir Chamberlain