New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-24
THE DISTRICT LEADERS.
PoscerfuI Political Force, Says Dis
trict attorney Jerome.
MEET THEM on OWN GROUND.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUNE.l

tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
New-Heven. Conn. March 2S.-william 7. jerome.
District Attorney OF New-york made the opening
speech before the Yale City Government Club. in
Woolsey Hall tonight. speaking 10 nearly thirty
five hundred Yale men Mr.. Jerome confined him
self 20 az appeal for educated men, TO Join in
a practical campaign against rotten politics." and
discussed the New-York district leaders as proof
that II city governments TO he bettered re-
form would have begin at the bottom The
speaker was frequently interrupted by enthusiastic
applause. and at the conclusion % the talk Mr.
Jerome was given the Tong Yale yell" Mr..
Jerome's talk was in part follows:
One OF the most significant things in American
life Is the fact that cities have grown at the e1-
pense OF the country towns and that the large
tirely different classes, who know hardly anything
OF each other The higher classes do not come in
touch with the lower classes, who the voting
and elect 70 Offices OF government and yet wonder
tom OF the political trouble OF the country depends
on these. and II is here that the only remedy can
York is good type OF this fundamental fact in
The politics of all the country. He is unknown 10
bad man. loudly dressed and profane. who rules
have this idea which they lose as soon as they get
IN contact with the real situation.
The district leader IS a natural leader. lie is
friendly he does cot know much about theories OF
master He IS seeking BY ali avenues to control
,e ~ @ 81 prison. e s on MN be,P st,s ~
builds his strength when he needs his votes. lie is
lu personal touch Win Inc voters lie DlllGS on
the fundamentals OF human nature and in return
for what he do for his followers gets their sup
port IN elections. This Is the bright side.
The dark side shows now this power. which Is
selfish al through, and not for city State or
country bur fo- self Is used. II is used line his
own and his fellow leaders pockets Then. under
debts OF gIatitude TO MIN. men vote as they ought
not %. Judges 10 further than they ought. legis-
latures give favors they ought not TO, district at
torneys show ienienCy where they ought not to.
and why7 Because the district leaders made them
and control their votes. Thus Croker was power
full not because he was great. but because he
understood how 20 handle human nature. These
n terrible menace 20 democratic insti-
tutions. To get them out of power We cannot
have the better classes keep themselves aloof
and write trestises and ESSAYS
We need young men 10 80 down into the street
and work alongside the opposing district leaders.
play "a sir own game and win their power away
from them. ] get very blue end bitter about this
sometimes. because ] cannot that the reform
class IS doing this. But decent people throug
the country blushng TO the records Of their
State legislatures. and decent people are ready to
follow the man who will lead them. But can't
do that by writing essays: only do 81 by
sacrifice by going down and living with these other
classes Of voters. winning them over, and fighting
the district leaders their own ground.