Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-03
EXTINCTION OF SMITHS
REGIME ENDS A SORDlD ERA
Significance of Mr.. Moore's Inauguration
Whole System, as Well as the

Wares, Which Is overthrown
A LTHOUGH the Smith administration,
which ends on Monday, has become
synonymous with misrule, it has no ex-
elusive right to that unsavory distinc
tion. The system of favoritism and
selfish greed maintained by the authority
of the Wares was quite as free from orig
inality as it was from subscription to the
principles of decent government.
For the last four years Philadelphia
has been afflicted with a regime which
perhaps differed in degree of ignominy
from a line of desolating predecessors.
There was, perhaps, more insolence in
the offenses of the expiring administra-
ton. Outrages in diverse branches Of
the government were perhaps more fla
grantly committed than at times in the
past.
But the spirit animating the misdeeds
can be traced far back into the city's his
tory. Smith-Vare domination was con-
sistent with it's origins. Among the
sources which the average Philadelphian
will have no difficulty in identifying are
the members of the old "Hog Combine"
the dcspotic McManes, az" Durham and
McNichol
These factors in the degradation of the
town and the various Mayors who an
swered their behests were eXponents of
a venerable but unvenerated system.
The city's chief executives might change,
but for long periods there was little al
teration in the structure of misgovern-
ment. Thomas B. Smith was one of
number of figurehead legatees of testa-
ment drawn up more than a generation
ago by powerful corruptionists, who re-
garded the city as rich field for selfish
exploitation.
The interesting feature of the imme-
diate situation is that the public has
broken that crooked will
1t is therefore no ordinary eviction
which will take place when Mr.. Smith
surrenders the seals of Office to J. Hamp-
ton Moore on Monday. The new Mayor
is not at all in the direct usurping line
of descent. 1t was not alone the Wares
and their cohorts which he so vigorously
fought during his campaign, but a dis
graceful. dishonest and tyrannical system
of which they were but contemporary
representatives.
Whether it was a Porter. Martin, a
Durham or a McNichol pulling the reins
of bossism, the public did not greatly
care. This indifference was less the re-
suit of moral apathy than of a sense of
deplorable realities.
The system of exploiting the police.
of strangling competition in contracts, of
generally looting the municipality for
the benefit of cabals was strongly
entrenched.
Granting. if need be. that the lack of
any partisan political balance here has
at times caused the public to be over
tolerant of abuses, the fact remains that
the comparatively rare opportunities for
effective revolt were eagerly seized. 1t
is not to be forgotten that in the days of
the "gas steal" nooses were carried into
the Councils chambers.
When John Weaver, successor of the
junspeakable Ashbridge, repudiated his
cabinet, wave of hope stirred the great
proportion of the public which is decent
But fake reform was abroad in those
days. Mr.. Weaver and his advisers were
beguiled by it. The upheaval was spec
tacular, but it was not basic. Gang rule
was reinstated and after little shuf-
fling the bosses continued to work their
old dishonored games in much the old
dishonored way.
John E. Reyburn was well-meaning
and endowed with considerable perspi-
cacity. The Parkway, one of his pet prof.
ccts, is proof of that. But the grip of
the plunderers was, if anything, tight
ened during his administration.
1t is the fashion, and one which is
thoroughly unfair, to cite the mayoraty
of Rudolph Blankenburg as evidence of
the inability of Philadelphia to purge
itself of corruption. The intent of the
executive was unimpeachable He was
passionately eager to redeem the city
He had courage and ability and yet he
failed.
The misfortunes of his regime are.
however, not to be legitimately ascribed
to the helplessness of virtue. There were
very definite reasons why Mr.. Blanken-
burg was unable to carry out his task
His frank, trustful nature inspired him
with undue confidence in the moral trans
formation of men who were not to be re-
deemed overnight. Gangsters arc like
some Indians. 1t is elimination alone
which will render them harmless.
, Furthermore, the political complexion
of Councils, while the indefatigable re-
former was in office, was wholly unfav-
orable to progress. The bitterly un-
friendly majority in that body was de-
termined to embarrass Mr.. Blankenburg
at every turn. The success of this scheme
was pronounced.
+ Between the situation which confronted
the "reform Mayor" and that which Mr..
Moore now faces there is hardly even a
superficial resemblance. The incoming
executive has already administered a
crushing defeat to the long-vested inter
ests which have been at the root of NAL
administration in Philadelphia. The over
| throw of the Wares is accompanied with
the downfall of the fundamentals which
made the Wares possible.
The new Council, with its majority,