New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-14
NEW-YORK And CHICAGO.
Why Municipal Reform Fails in the
Former and Succeeds an the Latter.

Under the title why Municipal Reform Sue
ceeds in Chicago and fails in New-York" THE
Independent" publishes article on political con-
ditions in the two cities. OF New-York the ar
ticle says
Only a few months ago New York reform had
neither radical nor democratic Its watchwords
istrstion' honesty. efhciency. economy. Accori
ing to these standards the Low administration
New-York reform has failed to make good"
is not OF the people. UndemocTatic in its origin
it has been permeated with fear OF democracy
triot Attorney jerome says "Democrscy is sun
on trial" Abraham Lincoln said Democracy
direct election Of the School Board. The New,
every other possible power into the hands OF the
mayor out OF fear OF the representatives OF the
talned a popular referendum municipal owner
ship. New York reform has offered the people
autocratlc self-I erpetuatng rapid transit COM
mission. While Chicago has been fighting for
homo rule, New-York reformers have often stood
for commissions appointed by the Governor OF
New-York reform has come from above. The
people of the tenement houses have learned that
government by the propertied elassss means in
that the people demand from the city.
Reform in New-York has been conservative and
autocratic. Reform in Chicago has been radical
and Democratic, The working people have turned
In the districts whers the working class lives the
vote was three ana -four to one against the bust
tiles the working people OF Chicago have invited
There is longer any for ignorance OF
what the people want in municipal politics. Here
is the programme clearly shown by the New
York and Chicago results:
F1rst-Democracy-the referendum on impor-
tant Issues Elections by tho people, instead Of
appointment by the executive.
Second-Municipal ownership.
Third-Increased expenditures for the people
Fourth-Increased taNation-of corporations
ground rents and the Injuries OF the rich
OF Chicago the article says:
Chicago is on the road to genuine democratic
government. For the second time a direct vote OF
the people has been taken the greatest of mu-
nicipal ISSUED: Shall the city own its transporta-
their belief in the direct democratic government by
png up III ballots their confidence in their
ability 20 their affairs by voting in favor
of municipal ownership by majority OF 10000
favor of democratic government OF the schools-the
direct election by the people OF the members OF the
Board OF Education. instead Of their appointment
by the executive.
After showing how the Chicago situation is con-
densed IN the personal history OF Mayor Carter H.
Harrison. the article says:
To-day Mr.. Harrison is only the headpiece
but the head of his party As he had boen elevated
to power without passing through the ranks he
had never made the acquaintance OF the wrlggling
grafters who I'll those ranks. He had simply ''ac-
ceptsd' them. They part of the established
institution which he Inherited Now. however. an
awakened-or, at least a Rmbulistc- public
conscience demanding q change. Municipal
government TO be public service instead OF
private scramble. The greatest opportunist of
retain the wriggling grafters It necessary to
appease the public conscience The feat colos-
sal in its magnitude and colossal in Its straddle
bat II was accomplished
The article goes to show how Mayor Harrison
b. the sktlfui Use Of oppoTtunism. discounted his