The Washington herald., 1909-01-31

Citizens OF the greater" city Of Pitts
burg. the intelligent business and profes-
sional men OF the city, have come 10 a
keen realization since the recent scandal
Gus graft disclosures in councils that the
affairs OF the municipality are at a crisis.
Mass meetings which are now being hel6.
like that at the old city hall on Tuesday
night. when many prominent men de-
nOunced the corrupt ring in politics. show
the temper Of the thinking voters. The
reformers are not the only persons who
delphia Public Ledger.
The professional politicians that have
been riding Pittsburg hard for years,
however, are only laughing at the efforts
OF the Civic Voters League. the reform
organization, and easily declare that the
town IS too wide open. too free and easy,
and TOO self-satished 10 care for flash
IN the pan" We are not afraid Of the
Ieformers. say these men. because they
DO not know how to play politics. We
do. and We hold the reins It's ali a mat
ter Of votes. and we do not propose to
lose our hold"
The ring politicians declared in the last
week that the recent graft and bribery
exposures were already being forgotten,
and that the majority Of the citizens
we're becoming apathetic- Al the public
meetings being held by the Civic Party
leaders there are no indications that such
IS the case on the other hand, It is not
icesble that the Republican campaign
meetings are attracting twice as many
men as the reform meetings. What the
actuaI state Of public conscience is can be
determined only by the coming election
itself If the Civic Party nominee. ". Il.
Stevenson. is elected mayor, the reform
eTs' stand viii be indicated. they feel.
An Astounding Chapter
The tale Of graft in Pittsburg is one OF
the most startling and dramatic chapters
IN municipal corruption in Americas his
tory. The origin Of the iron RUE Of evil
began. Of course, with the regime Of the
late Senator Matthew Stanley Quay, q
marble statue Of whom is to be set up IN
niche in the capitol at Harrisburg. a
structure which stands itself as a monu-
mept 20 graft and trimming
Mr.. Quays domination OF the western
part OF Pennsylvania and his strong hold
on affairs even in the east are an old and
well-known story, on which II is unnec-
essary TO dwell 10 understand the situa-
ton Il is only requisite 20 consider that
Pittsburg has a heritage left by the "OId
crowd" Quay named certain banks as
repositories Of State and city funds In
the chain Of events that followed there
came disgrace and shame to scores Of
men, suicides. even murder. and the
Erecking Of homes and financial institu-
tions. Men harassed by guilty consciences
fed the city or in desperation took their
lives
The famous - Der cent" repositories
recently designated by common council
under the direction Of some Of the men
charged with bribery not all OF them.
viii never receive the city's money in all
probability. Mayor Guthrie, a fine. type OF
Teformer and q Democrat viii prevent
this at any cost, he says. The bin was 10
take effect February J. How this bill was
passed viii be shown later -Four substi-
tute measures are now before common
council. the sulky lower body. and if any
one OF them IS passed Mayor Guthrie Will
sign il, because. as he expresses II they
are all more OF less decent and sensible
and calculated 20 make the city's cash
safe"
If none Of these bills is passed the city
comptroller and treasurer viii refuse 70
turn over the moneys TO the banks on the
plea that they have doubts regarding the
validity OF the per cent measure.
Mayor Guthrie on Councils.
Mayor Guthrie. on taking Office thres
years ago. said that he did not desire the
aid Of councils. When asked q few DAYS
ago why he made that remark. he replied
7 could have organized councils II I had
so desired. but to do so I should have had
TO put civil service on the auction block.
acqUiesce in partnership with vice and
corruption. and break the dearest and
most sacred pledges I had made TO the
people OF Pitsburg"
This showed his opinion OF councils
from the first
The recent upheavaI was brought about
directly by Scranton detectives IN the en-
pioy Of the Civic Voters League. Their
work was eieTerly and cautiously prose
cuted. Not more than half dozen men