New-York tribune., 1906-06-22
4 HAPPY PROSPECT.

The Hon. George Washington Plunkitt has
not been much in evidence Of late. but he has an
understudy. The Hon. Lemuel Ely Quigg is still
on deck and prepared 10 see that the cause of
honest graft does not go without a champion
In some respects the understudy ia superior 10
the prototype. He is moi quite race of the
soil. but he is better read and more phios- -phcal
He does not talk 10 the honest grafters as one
Of themselves. but, with fine air of detachment
and superior wisdom. expounds to them the prin-
ciples of honest grating as theories of high
craftsmanship, and comforts them with the
belief that appetite for honest graft is really
a patriotic impulse 10 benefit their party and
serve their country. Mr. Quigg has had patriotic
impulses himself and can speak persuasively on
the subject.
Mr.. Quigg's views on patronage and campaign
contributions. as declared TO the patriotic voters
of st Luke'S Place. are based on large personal
experience and profound study of history. He
believes in corporate contributions and does not
wish a plutocrats altruistic zeal 10 be cruelty
blocked at the Sl99 point on pain Of that pub
licity which every modest millionaire wishing to
keep his business out Of politics must feel He
has received corporate contributions himself
possibly distributed money for corporations
where, with his large. statesmanlike vision. he
knew IL would do the most good TO the great
American people for whom his heart beats with
an ever strong and steady puse-and he knows
there is nothing corrupt or corrupting about il
In this muck -rakng age good motives are greatly
misunderstood and il is really pathetic that the
unseltish devotion Of Mr.. Thomas F. Ryan to the
people in general and the Republican party-to
which he does not belong--in particular should
be so little appreciated. As TO patronage Mr.
Quigg cannot speak so much from personal
knowledge, for he has not hourished in the
golden age Of political jobs But in his boyhood
when like another Joan Of Are he had visions
calling 10 noble and knightly deeds beneath the
Delaware peach trees. there was such golden
age OF Republican politics in this city Under
the leadership of Chester A. Arthur. Mr.. Quigg
tells us. federal positions were guaranteed to ten
/ men in every election district and naturally
| patriotism and Republican principles flOurlshed
/ while now there are only two exempt positions
! in the entire federal service here. Moreover. an
unconscionable constitution has equally demoral-
lied the state county and city services Con
/ sequenty he informs US:
AS IT is now, the Tammany Organization In
| this county has US skinned 10 death" And
why? Because they have organization that
has the votes and we haven't
All the almanacs must be poor things for they
/ fail to show the glorious Republican victories
/ or the Arthur days. but would leave the reader
not versed Ike Mr.. Qugg. in political phil.
osophy and history 10 suppose that in all
| those years Tammany had us rather more
skinned 10 death" than are now and that
all the local victories Of the Republican Marty
had been achieved In these degenerate days ot
Clvii Service reform. But doubtless Mr. Oui.c
knows and, anyhow. the doctrine that eve.y
election precinct should have ten jobs is well "a!
culated 10 endesr 10 the hearts OF Sd Assem-
bly, District voters Mr.. Qugg and his CORPORA
tion hackers who want the chance to give NOR,
than 500 10 charity without violating tn,
Scrptural Injunction against letting the lrf
hand know what tie right hand does
, 1t IS a rRthar dismal picture which Mr. Oug,