The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-10
PRESENT AMI AFTERWARDS.

After the defeat of Mayor Low for reelection as
Mayor of Greater New York Richard Croker pro
nounced the wise opinion that reform never sue
ceeds itself" The satisfaction which Mayor McClei
Ian appears 10 have given SO far as chief executive
looms as an actual refutation OF the boss's state
ment; but ii is not. for Mr.. Croker did not base his
philosophy on what good work Mr.. Mcclellan and
the Mcclellan administration might do, but on the
direct issue of the election.
Progress continues from one generation to an.
other, sometimes through the conservative policies of
business administration and sometimes through the
stubborn measures of reform and sometimes through
rebellion against the injurious depredations of the
parasites of corruption and disagreement. Reform
is an extraordinary and drastic process of govern
ment; misgovernment is its abnormal opposite. The
only natural method is business administration.
Mr.. Cookers philosophical utterance is brought
forward for the reason that Mr.. Croker is an author
ity, who, having studied and practiced politics as a
lifelong profession. ought TO understand the innu-
merable features which enter into the voting side
of public affairs. He probably is familiar with some
details of public business; bait it is in gauging the
uses of votes that he is particularly a master. He
knows the voters and caters to them.
The situation in New York exists in other cities
where reform is attempted through a reform admin
%istration. For instance, the following remarks. given
in part, appeared in the last programme of the Ma
tional Municipal League: For a number of years
Cambridge enjoyed a nonpartisan government; then
the national parties began to reassert themselves
and for several years one Of them was able to elect
its municipal candidates" Now Cambridge again
has a nonpartisan government and a Good Govern
ment League. I'm 1896 there was an independent
movement in New Orleans which resulted in the
election of the late Mayor Flowers. In 1900 the reg
MAR namocratic ~ ndidafo for Nfovnr tho Eonaroh io
Paul Capdeville, was elected over Mr.. Flowers, who
was a candidate for reelection"
The cause Of dissatisfaction with a reform admin
~istration is not any fault of the officials regarding
the performance of duty, for they usually fulfill their
pledges, even literally. Nor is the cause entirely the
trickery Of politicians. Nor is it altogether an ina
bility Of the public to raise principle above senti-
ment and individual interest. II persons are respon-
sible for the appropriately Of reform administration
they are the politicians and the people, rather than
the officials.
Years afterward the praises of reform administers
tions are sounded, when the many petty issues are
blurred and hurts are forgotten. It is this claim on
reputation in the future which stands out encoura-
gingly as a reward for the labor and sacrifices and
annoyances done and endured by faithful public
servants.
In the time of action a reform administration and
q UuSiDeSS dumlnistTduOn superSeuinR one OF mis-
government cannot expect loud evidences Of popular
approval. Too many individual interests are affected
by the return to law and system, too many politi-
clans and favorites are despoiled of power, too many
job-hunters are ignored, too many men lacking In
public spirit are forced to disgorge some Of their
gains to better conditions. too many citizens allow
sentiment to control when principle and issues
should rule; there is too much luminosity among
classes and there is a prevailing tendency to misin-
terpret the motives of officials who are inspired by
conscience.
Until local issues are separated from national and
State issues. but without celebrating parties. the
right standard. which is normal business administra-
ton for the good of all, will not be clearly and firm
ly established. But there is one way in which the
public can do justice. That is by judging acts and
results in relation to the majority and the municipal
ity, and not by standards of private prejudice and
interest.