The Washington times., 1905-06-17
WHAT IS GOING ON
IN PENNSYL VAN|A
Pittsburg's Growth Makes
it a Big Political Factor.
QUAKER CITY RING DOOMED
Fight Mayor Weaver Is Making for
Purer Municipal Politics.
Promises Success.

Promises Success.
Out in western Pennsylvania a new
national city is being born.
The greater PittSburg will be one of
the Dig cities of the Americas, with
about 100000 people 1t will be one of
the richest cities. On the record of
growth it has been making in recent
years 1t will, before many more years.
be one OF the first four or five In popu-
lation
AT the same time. in Philadelphia.
the center of gravity in eastern Penn
syiyania, there is a great political revo-
luton afoot that is today shaking to
It's foundation the whole fabric of Key
stone politics
Future of the State.
Watching these two great movements
In the affairs OF the second State of
the Union. the Gibraltar of Republican
ism, observers and politicians are spec
Mating with deep interest on the future
OF affairs in the State. For many
years the Philadelphia machine headed
by Israel w. Durham has dominate
the States affairs.
Even under the reign of the ALL
powerful Quay, Durham was the field
marshal of Pennsylvania politics His
wonderful organization of veteran ,,olit-
lcai manipulators formed the basis of
the whole system. Though it did not
control majorities in Legislature and
State conventions, its power was SO
large that it never failed to be able to
dictate to the party.
Pittsburg, under the old regime was
much of the time a negligible quantity.
BY comparison with Philadelphia it was
TOO small 30 be serious factor There
was a feud between the Quay and Dur
ham machines on the one hand and the
McGee organization in Pittsburg. Nc
Gee was a power in his pwn bailiwick.
but seldom was he abb. to make his
hand strongly felt IN State affairs.
But all this politicians declare. is like
~ to be revoluticnized Philadelphia.
corrupt yet, is no longer consented. The
elements that make for righteousness
arc making determined fight for as
cerGeEey. After twenty years of effort
they are in sight OF one of the greatest
victories over corruption that has been
won since the Tweed gang was broken
up In New York.
Ring Is. Bankrupt.
The Durham ring in Philadelphia is
today looked upon by the most accurate
students OF affairs as bankrupt The
tremendous reveal tons coucerr.,p m.
relations of Durham and others to NUM-
cipai contracts have given the finishing
tohcn 10 the publics realization of the
Sohuitlons surroundin- its government
- even safd that Durham himself Is
NOT only politically ruined. but that his
fS hr,l
nave been forced voluntarily to retfr.
from active affairs even If the present
turn IN his fortunes had not paved the
way to his ignominious exit
ne dfsintegration of the great Penn
SSsav ,h Ia organization began with the
ls~tn o, senator Quay. Boise Penrose
ms senatorial colleague. became tttuIar
1eader or the party. But Pearose the
f Ill say. is not of the stuff
from which leadership is made He has
always been follower An able enouah
utterly as boss iaiieu
IA atready there is muttering of discon-
e.nL, AS rats traditionally desert tho
9rihihs snip so iteh torpedoing which
Weaver and his advisers have given ~
rotten old craft in Philadelphia has
rodents N poiiticai
Deserticns Threaten.
While Durham. his nerve sim oood
and his determination ,,nshaser, to 60
MS craft, has been fighting to hold bis
forces in line, the country, and even
many OF the city. members of the organ
lzatlcn nave been threatening to desert
some OF them. it is reported, have pro
Pvsed that the Legislature be called to-
ee'her III special session at once to re-
peai the Philadelphia ripper leeisIa
ton This would be the last blow.
The ripper" law was passed by the
last Legislature, and when IT beoomes
effective will remove the last vesttpa
OK rea. power from the mayor of phil
adelphia
AT present the mayor is a real execu-
1--WE He appoints the heads of city
departments. and has the power to die
tate their organizations and arnn;oH,,.s
rms power has been sufficient il, the
hands of Mayor John Weaver. to en-
aDie MN TO smash the old machine into
fragments in few short weeks
All that was needed was to find an
honest man with nerve, and get him
elected mayor John Weaver was the
m man NJ, The machine made the mistake
Know the sort of man he was. 1t knows
now. but it is too late.
Under the ripper" law. the mayor
pointment. This win be given to the
councils. But in the meantime John
weaver is exs rcising 1t with all the
1Oice ne MS In MIN.
IL he makes good; If he succeeds in
getting the elections organization of
the city into the hands of honest men:
IL he gets the registry lists purged of
the $1,000 10 $4,000 fraudulent names
that have been placed on 1t by the gang.
and represented in elections by fraudu-
lent ballots cast for the organization.
II he is able TO get good men as lieu
tenants, and through them, to stop
grating In contracts. corruption of the
police department, and the use of the
thousands of city employees as a pha-
lanx Of corruption-if he can do these
things before his powers are legislated
away from him. the people, Il they still
keep awake and continue the fight they
have we'll begun. may be able, de-
spite the new law. to get control of their
own affairs at the next election
Power Not Essential.
II isn't material whether the mayor or
the councils hold the POWER of appoint
ment, so that 1t is welded honestly