Evening star., 1905-10-23


bygones be bygones and rejoice that even
one sinner has come to repentance. Mr.
Weaver has never been regarded a
strong man, although he is considered per-
sonally honest. For four years he has al
lowed himself to be tool of the machine
two years district attorney and two years
as mayor, and even If he had been deaf
dumb and blind he could not have escaped
some knowledge of the iniQuty that has
been going among his suoordinates
However, his change of heart and attitude
occurred at an opportune time; and wheth-
er {as some people claim 1t was an illus
tration of the efficiency of prayer, or a rec
ognition of the principle that honesty is
the best policy he has shown courage and
conscience and the leaders of the present
reform trust him.
John Weaver's Career.
Mr. Weaver is an Englishman by birth.
His father was a mechanic at Worcester,
England, where he was born forty-three
years ago. In 1879. when he was seven
teen years old. he emigrated to Philadel-
phia and got a job as messenger boy In
John Wanamaker's big store. His wages
were 81 week, of which he regularly
saved $50 and put II In savings bank.
AS he was advanced to a clerkship he not
only saved more but went to night school
and studied bookkeeping, stenoSraphy and
other commercial accomplishments. In
1885 by answering an advertisement in q
newspaper he got a position as stenogra-
pher in the law office of John Sparhor
who encouraged him to study law. In 1880
he passed his examinations and was ad-
rnItted to the bar and Mr. Sparhoff took
him into partnership. He went into poll
tics Joined his ward club and soon be-
came district leader, proving loyal, ef-
fective and energetic member OF the or
ganization. In 1901, when the republican
ticket was being made up, Francis Shuck
Brown, a democrat, but the legal adviser
Of the republican ring suggested John
Weaver as the most available candidate for
district attorney.
who the hell is John Weaver" inquired
Mr.. Durham.
"Weaver's all right replied Brown.
He's a good lawyer. There's nothing they
can bring against him. He has no record
and he belongs to the church and teaches
in a Baptist Sunday school
Mr. Weaver was nominated ana eiecteo
His services was so satisfactory 10 the
gang that two years later, they made him
mayor He has an amiable disposition; he
was a loyal and obedient machine man.
he was honest and he taught Sunday
school class. He still teaches Bioie
class He still attends the Baptist Church
regularly, with his wife and boy, and al
though he awarded contracts to the ring,
out of which they must have made millions
of dollars, his home tworth perhaps SSoVO,
Is mortgaged for $12 $50 and he has no
other property. His Sunday school teach
ing Is not for political purposes. He has
belonged to the same church ever since he
came to philadelphia, ana taught BlDie
class before he went into politics.
Mr. Weaver Is a short, stout, pleasant
looking man. with a broad forehead, cheer.
full gray eyes a fat nose, stubby NOUS
tache large mouth and weak chin. He does
not impress one as a man of strong charac-
ter or great energy, and would easily be
recognized for what he is-a good fellow
Public opinion sustained Mayor Weaver
when he commenced to buck the gang, as
sinful politicians say here; and he became
a popular hero in twelve hours. He sent
for Elihu Root to advise him. Root came
to Philadelphia, investigated the situation.
told Weaver what he ought to do, and
Weaver has done ii. He has taken the
city patronage away from the gang, has
dismissed all of his original cabinet, and
has filled their places with men in whom
the public have confidence
Fight Against the Gang.
To support Weaver and overthrow the
gang the taxpayers began to get together
What is known as "the city party formed
two years before protest against ring
rule was used as nucleus. had few
politicians among its members. but cast
$1,000 votes at the last municipal election,
and very soon began to grow rapidly as an
independent, non-partisan organization for
municipal purposes only. There are ]. .101
election precincts, or divisions (as they can
them here), and 1t has active clubs in y23
of them. 1t has already thoroughly can
vassed forty-one out of forty-two wards,
and r ms nt uyor1r II, The fan< 49, u,bta