Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-01-17
City Council Plans Practical Work for Much
Needed Reform-Frowns on Political
Jockeying
Municipal Ownership Pretensions Will Not
Serve to Prolong Threadbare
Campaign Issue.
Up.to.Oate lntramural Transit the Question Of
the Hour-Nothing Else
Goes.

Chicago demands the settlement of
the traction question. and that II bc
made now.
With the exception of the immediate
personal following of the Mayor
among the Aldermen. whose loyalty to
that individual Is of the selfish kind
which has no thought or considcra-
ton of the public veal in IT, the City
Council as II body Is ready to comply
with the popular demand.
There are only two stumbling blocks
In the way of the Council. that can
POSSIBLY prevent this long.dclaycd and
very reasonable demand of the pco.
pie.
These stumbling blocks are Carter
II. Harrison Us Mayor, and the stupid
outcry for municipal ownership.
Mayor Harrison knows well that
without the so.callcd traction issue he
" lost ~ political entity or n pay.
roll possibility. and 50 he has linked
dis fate with the municipal ownership
Tad. and relies thereon for his polli-
cal salvation.
Strangely enough. however. munici.
pal ownership refuses TO consort with
unrrisonism. because Its champions
fear that Harrisonism Is not synOny.
nous with fidelity.
The immediate settlement of the
traction question. It would seem. Is
impossible until such time rs the city
Of Chicago gets rid of Carter II. llnr-
rison as Mayor
Fortunately for the travelling public
Of Chicago this Is now within the re-.
gi0n not only of possibility hut of prob
ability.
HarrsOn's own party has lined up
against him. and for denomination II
hooks as II he will have nothing better
Sr stronger la the Democratic con-
yention than u few employees of the
clty-creatures of the payroll.
Should he. by any unforeseen force
OF circumstances, or manipulation or
the prcrogativcs of high office. succeed
In winning out n rcnOmlnation-la pos
s,bility which the Eagle deniesJ-hc
will he defeated at the polls for r..
election.
The Eagle takes pleasure In contcm-
pIatiOn of the fact that II has taken
some part In bringing about the con
ditiOns which render the reelection OF
Carter II. Harrison impossible, and II
desires to go on record In this regard
eight here.
One of the most deplorahlc misfOr.
tunes Of iIarrisoni,m in Chicago is the
tact that It has proved to he one of the
worst obstacles Ia the settlement of
the traction question. The egotlsm of
Harrison has made the peoples com
fort, convenience and well-belng sub
scryient as well as secondary to II
self
II made no difference 10 the Hnrri
son administration what the results ol
the indefinite postponcmcnt of the trac
ton question meant 50 long aS II meant
perpetual campaign cry at election
time.
After six years of bitter experience
not only the Democratic party ana In
leaders, but the great body of The citl
gems have at last been awakened To III,
true situation, ana as II result liarri
sOnism Is doomed.
Even the section which. through
stress ana storm ana even up 10 III,
present day has stood 10y an idea, il
opposed to Harrison,
Reference 1, here made to the fol
lowing of William Jennings Bryan
and its present leader and apostle II
Chicago Hon. Clarence ). DarrOw.
The Eagle was never Of that follow
ing bur II Aa, been always ready L
give IL, tribute Of admiration 10 sucl
loyal adhcrcut~ of what they believes
TO he a principle ~ the great malorlt.
Of these men were and proved them
selves 10 bc.
Harrison, "a, the people well rclncu
her. was a follower Of the free Silve
idea SO long rs that constituted II roya
road 10 the payroll. He II no longe
so since that idea has fallen into poi
aiar disfayDr and can no longer b
made campaign issue or CALLER
Oiay.
But he has wrapped his tentacl
around tie municipal ownership Idle
now, as political life buoy for tn
self same reasons thf induced him t
embrace and hang on 50 long to III
free silver fad
This time the people are on TO llal
fisOn,
Municipal ownership Is a public Dc
sideradum, hut II l. one Of HE futur,
The people Of Chicago have swun