Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-22

Tended Republican principles and policies
advise the Republicans OF Phiiadelphia that
they not bound by any tie or ObliEat
60 support the county and ward tickets
technically styled Republican" at the APP
The ofices Involved are local and mu-
nlcipal and In many parts OF the state are
on nOnpRrtlsan basis, and I hope TO
the day when the same system will prevail
In Philadelphia. Notnational or State issue
Moreover. the principle Of loyalty in the
support of political proposition can only
be claimed when the decision has followed
discussion and contest among the electors
free, untran4nelsd and uncoerced. It Is
selt-evident that no one can be expected to
force and brutal interference with the
elector in exercising his franchise And In
the same way candidates indirectly In
must sufrer with the rest. II. precedent is
sought | call attention 70 the fact that
ernor io whitman and senator % Root are are advo-
eating the election of a nonpartisan ticket
headed by a Democrat in the municipal
election in New York.
My position is not new. I successfully
opposed the attempt of the chief street.
cleaning contractor in Philadelphia to nomi-
nate his brother as Mayor because the
any point Of view I expressed my views
inily on contractor government in May,
leans anxious to help in the secton Of
Republican President. 1 am glad now to be
able TO say that the death knell of con-
tractor rule has been runE. The limit Of
methods has been reached.
CONTRACTOR RULE BY MURDER
Government and party control by con-
tractor In Philadelphia has resolved itself
into government by murder No greater
shame could be inflicted upon this city, the
cradle of American liberty, than that at this
wNc crisis, when the United States is en-
gagged in a world struggle for democracy,
IndanpndRDrn
should be polluted with murder, fouly done
in the interest of contractor politics.
The irrefutable evidence shows that this
crime was committed under the guidance
and protection OF officers of the munlci-
pality. Thus the sworn guardians of the
lives and liberties of the people became in
stead the protectors Of hired murderers
The Fifth Ward for days was like Mexi-
can city in the hands of brutal bandits
The police force was deliberately degraded
into participation in the lawlessness. The
honest and decent members of that force
in all parts of the city are unjustly dis
graCed by the Fifth Ward butcnery. The
only way to redress the wrong done to the
reputable policemen of the city (and they
comprise large majority Of the force) Is
ers under whose control the deadly deeds
were done. Justice is not properly admin
istered when It falls only upon the agents
and not the leaders of crime.
And II must not be overlooked that the
assaults and police interference in the
Fifth Ward are only an example of sim
liar occurrences III nearly every WhTu III
the city at the time of the recent primary
elections. Wherever needed, brutal police
methods were employed with the sanction
and under the direction of official authorities
and the employees of the several depart
ments were driven to the basest methods to
coerce control and obstruct the electors.
The purpose of the conspiracy to commit
murder had specially in view the securing
of a two-thirds vote in Select and Common
Councils to furnish complete control over
appropria tions. In any event, that Strangle-
| hold will be prevented by the aroused people
| The city of Philadelphia, through sinister
| and corrupt political influence and malad-
| ministratiOn, is facing bankruptcy. An in
creased tax rate 8 becoming inevitable to
meet the endlessly increasing demands of
garbage collectors and street cleaners who
| likewise attempt TO control the government
| waste improvidence and incompetence.
! Particularly this impotent mismanage-
| ment of public affairs and lack of percep-
| ton and constructive ability are plunging
| the business, financial affairs and construc'
| tive enterprises of the city Into a chaotic
| condition, which will bring dire sresults to
| the city, to the citizens and to the street
| railway passengers OF Philadelphia.
| Prompt action must be taken to curb
| this maIa administration by the election OF
| COunClmen who will halt its wasteful and
| destructive course before the city, the citi.
! Ecns and the street railway passengers be.
| come hOpelessly engulfed in the mire which
| menaces them. I commend that part of the
| platform of the Town Meeting party which
| declares;
| "The city's transit development must be
| established In accordance with the intent
| of the citizens and in conformity with their
mandate which has been issued at the
| polls"
l have received very many personal visits