Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
Philadelphia's Task No Lighter.

The sudden reversal of the Philadelphia
situation. reported late yesterday after~
noon, does not materially alter the prin-
ciple involved in the case. The corpora
ton which now holds a lease of the city
gas works. terminating In 1927. announces
that II wIthdraws Its offer of a bonus of
49,. 100000 to the city for extension of
the lease to 1880. already accepted by the
councils and certain to be vetoed by the
mayor. This definitely ends the contro-
versy over the immediate issue in the fight.
But II does not necessarily. and 1t certain
ly should not. end the efforts of the now
thoroughly aroused citizens of iladelphia
to drive out of power the rascals who
have made the city's name a kissing ana
a byword in the land.
The withdrawal of the gas compapy's
offer may be understood as sign either
that the mayor had won over enough of
the counclmeu to sustain his veto next
Thursday or that the machine leaders. re-
gardless of their chances for overriding
the veto. had determined to abandon the
present fight in the hope of checking the
popular movement against them. The
mayor had been gaining recruits at
rapid rate. under the tremendous pressure
of an outraged public sentiment. Never
before has Philadelphia been so stirred.
Never before has the community so clear
ly demonstrated it's recognition of its
perils and its responsibilities. Members of
the councils were being forced to declare
themselves in the most extraordinary cir
cumstances. They were yielding, sincerely
or ostensibly. in increasing numbers 1t
is quite possible and even probable that
by next Thursday Mayor Weaver would
have gained enough votes to sustain his
veto triumphantly.
There Is more at stake in Philadelphia
than the mere extension of the gas lease.
That was but a symptom of the disease
from which the city has been suffering for
years. With the lease removed from the
case the disease remains to be cured. The
elements of corruption are still at work.
The election machinery Is in the hands OF
the grafters. They retain the name or re-
publicans and enjoy the usufruct of that
partys great power in the state and ma
ton. They have passed through crises be-
fore. have met and defeated the honest pub
lie will and have compromised when ne
cessity has arisen to avoid a direct issue
with thoroughly aroused community.
They are past masters In the art of retain
ing power.
The next municipal election will not occur
the city councils will be chosen. Mean
while, with no important issues before
the councils, and especially with no
open breach between the mayor and the
ring in the way of Impeachment pro-
ceedngs or court processes. the ma
chine may hope TO skim along in safe
ty until the time for ballot!ng returns,
when perhaps 1t can reinforce itself by
means of its we'll known maneuvers. And
when Mayor Weaver's term expires, In
1901, it can perhaps put in office man
whom it can trust to do its bidding through
thick and thin. while the ripper law will
place the power of appointment of the d.
rectors of public safety and public works
In the hands of the councils. And by that
time the now indignant public will per-
haps have forgotten the present trouble
and will complacently fall in line in the
old wag.
Mayor Weaver, however, is in a position
TO carry on the campaign, and the coun-
try will look TO him to do 1t. for the sake
OF good government everywhere. He can
control. through his appointees. the great
volume Of municipal patronage. firemen,
policemen and all the employees of the pub
lie enterprises. He can fight the machine
continuously with its own weapons. He
can keep the air vibrant with the echoes
OF the conflict and 50 prevent the people
from falling back into their old lassitude
which has 50 greatly aided the ring in the
past.
Indeed. viewed a demonstration In
municipal politics. the Philadelphia situa-
ton becomes even more interesting than
ever with the gas lease withdrawn and the
ease resolved 10 it's basic elements of cor
fupt ring rule versus honest government.