The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-09-14
pHlLApElPAlA,s REDEMPTION.

PHlLADELPHlA's REDEMPTION
A few months ago the mayor Of
Philadelphia expressed desire for the
publication o. rN public service. It
was no unusuai re = hear such ex-
pressions from decent citizenship, but
from a mayor of that city II was some
what unusual. He was not a man who
could be called veteran" in the par
ty, and yet he was not altogether new
in politics. His expression merely
made the gang" lift its eyebrows as
an Indication that it had beard a noise.
but the smile on the gangs" lips in
dicated that the high official was mere
" trying to attract attention But he
followed this expression of his desire
by acs which indicated that he intend
ed to grapple with the power which
has made the city Of Brotherly Love a
synonym for official rascality and cor
ruption.
Reforms have heer undertaken by
individuals and masses of citizens in
Philadelphia At times what might be
called "a united press" has fought for
an amelioration OF conditions imposed
ont he city by politicians and grafters
who made no concealment of their
crimes. The pulpits. too, brought
their full influence against the men and
party in power. But all availed nothing.
for the simple reason that the reform.
ers were never able to secure man
with the necessary honor and courage
TO go the whole route" and because
party differences made that cohesion
among the reformers which was neces-
sary for victory an impossibility.
The elements Of the reform party
were from the Democratic and Repub-
lican parties. Between them existed
antagonist c views, of which the lead.
ers OF the spoilsmen availed them
selves. For many years the leader OF
the spoilsmen and the leader of the
Republican patty was Matthew 5.
Quay He assumed TO be the leader
He was in fact the absolute master Of
his party and hence Of the state OF
Pennsylvania Perhaps no man who
ever occupied as prominent a position
in politics as Mr.. Quay had as little
reverence for political principles. as
principles. There was nothing of the
sentimental about him He did not
worship political tenet. for he did
not respect one to the extent OF not
abandoning il II an increase OF his
power required H. He was bold
enough to sneer at party worshipers
unless they considered him the party;
he laughed al enthusiastic for priERi-
pies lie ridlculed the feeling OF solem.
nifty which came to men In high office
when they contemplated their respon-
sibility to the people. His goal was
power, and he struggled for it as a
tacticians ignoring all consideration of
the moral or patriotic character OF his /
means. He gave TO his friends and
took from his enemies He fought the |
Democrats as common enemies, but
would agree TO flags OF truce. He
fought members in his own ranks
when they We're rebeliious. with im-
placable fury. The conditions existing
In Philadelphia could moi have existed /
him He held the state and
he federal offices in his hand and he /
and he alone. distributed them. He I
sould take the keeper Of a nehiie toll 4
gate and seat him In the city hall. AID I
he bloated CRATER of the city hall and
place him al the toll gate He appoint
ID his colleague In the senate and
.elected The men who should represent
him first, and their constituencies sec
md, in the house of representatives at
Washington. <tst9a -
II was against this master that pub.
ic decency constantly rebelled in
but rebelled in vain. The
eformers, as has been stated, were OF
10Th parties, and being thus lacked the
-irtue Of that cohesion which would
make it effective Philadelphia and It's
uhurbs are purely manufacturing. Mr.
quay threatened II his rule were dis
urbed. TO abate his en0rts in the direc-