The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-28

ment from Wayne MacV eagh, formerly
attorney general of the United States,
that he brought from President Roose-
welt the assurance that the federal Of
f1lcers of Pennsylvania should no, longer
be considered part and parcel of the
rotten gang in Philadelphia.
Investigation Begins.
Along about June 1 Mayor Weaver
began a general investigation OF
municipal affairs. Fourteen bus
mess men were named by him
as personal advisers. The revelations
made Philadelphia s awakening com.
brought its crop Of new sensations IN
city affairs. One of the first orders
issued by the mayor under the new
regime was that employees of the city
need not pay dues to political clubs.
Instructions were issued to the police
that they must not assist in the pad
ding of voters lists. On the contrary,
they were to hunt down illegal registra-
tions. Day by day agents Of the or or
service of the city. 1t was such a house
cleaning as had never before been I'M
dertaken in an American city. The or
ganization and gas stood aghast at the
spectacle. The fight got so hot that
Israel W. Durham, the organization
leader, resigned as state insurance COM
missioner. David Martin, formerly
! Durham's chief political foe within the
i party in the city, was appointed in
j surance commissioner.
Martin Turned Reformer.
The state organization was now get,
/ ting in it's work trying to save some.
thing out of the Philadelphia wreck
Martin turned performer. He de.
clared that the republican party should
carry out the reforms demanded by the
citizens of Philadelphia. But this time
the gang could not fool the people Of
!; the city. Neither Mayor Weaver mol
the people behind him would have any
thing to do with the proposed "reform ;
was was n GIVING IL for 3treforml within the
\ party After arrests had been made
the mayor went before the district at
torney, John G. Bell, with his evidence
and asked that the accused men be
prosecuted. Bell was machine man
who had at one time acted as counse
he refused to prosecute Hill and the
other men accused. Seemingly any eff
fort to punish the offenders would b.
unavailing. / ...-& t.
, Roots Famous Letter. "
In this crisis Mayor Weaver wen
to New York to consult Elihu Root
his attorney, who had just been ap
, pointed secretary of state: He place.
before Mr.. Root the evidence he ha'
! accumulated up to that time and aske!
, linn what he should do. Mr.. Root tool
, two days to consider the situation an
, then he wrote the lettera letter tina
will become historical-in which he re
= ferred to the organization in Philadel
phia as ga corrupt and criminal com
bination masquerading under the nam
of republicans. +
/ It seems worth while to call atten
D ton in passing to the fact that all
8 Phila delphia's troubles were the resul
: of turning the city over to polit1ca
4 organization that was ready at all time
i to do business with the corporation
q that were serving the city. In thes
t days Of consultations the corporation
j. that serve the average city are in " hig
l clover if they can control the munlc
t pal government. It is asserted tina
n many men in this city who rank as mi
f lionaires gained their wealth by cap
It talizing the franchises granted by, tn
t councils. The street railroad franch1s J!
$ for instance, is capitalized at $3.50, 900
l. 900 and the electric lighting franchls
at $4O,OO0,0O0. The plants themse1ye
it is asserted, are worth about $7,ooo
nm =. '