Year: 1871

side talk.


MUNICIPAL REFORM-LET THE TO1ST GO


ROUND!


The good people of Ulster County were
deeply and generally stirred up by the exhibi-
tiOns from time to time made through our
City journals of the robberies and rascalities
of the Tammany Ring, and tried to show
their aversion to the prevalence of such
doings in our late election. Though theirs
has of late been Democratic, as it of old
was q Federal, then ClintOnan, next Jack
sonan, and afterward Wing County, they
chose three Republicans to the Assembly,
while rejecting their Democratic Senator,
who had evinced considerable independence
while Tweed was lord paramount at Albany.
Most of their local officers were also chosen
as anti Ring


Thus instigated to look into financial mat
tiers, they bethought them of scrutinizing their
own; when 10 these were found about as full
of rottcnncss as or City's! They have two
Railroads in process of construction, in good
part from the proceeds of Town and County
bonds, whereof the rule seems to have been
| to divide three among the Railroad managers





Hence, they find themselves deeply in debt,
while the money which that debt represents
is neither in their treasury nor invested where
they are likely to secure any equivalent for
it. Their "Ring,n which has swallowed it, is
subLmely Indifferent to oil partisan considera-
tions, being intent only on the maintenance.
Wherefore, the Ulsterites have resolved that
they, too, will ignore party for a season. while
going in strong for mutual protection against
rascality and robbery.


In Philadelphia, likewise, the Taxpayers,
having looked into their Municipal finances,
find them in bad way, needing instant over
hauling Philadelphia is Republican, though
her outgoing Mayor and some other digni-
taries are Democrats; but we do not fully un-
derstand or care button for the partisan
aspects of the matter. We believe the late
County Treasurer is Republican; we learn
that he is defaulter for the respectable sum
of $474000. And he is only a good-sized
specimen of large and bad lot. Hence, a
"Citizcn's Reform Association" which took
the field three weeks before their Late cleo
ton, and only polled votes enough to consti-
tute q respectable protest against robbery and
Rings" Nothing daunted by this result, the
Association has reorganized for the war, and
submitted to their fellow citizens the following
platform:


al There Is to be interference with National or
State politics In all matters disconnected with muni
cipa affairs each member Is to have the fullest freedom
OF political action.


"II The object of the Reform Club is exclusively to
bring about honest management OF municipal affairs by
the officials Of the wards and city and the members Of
the legislature To this end honest candidates for city
and ward officers and for the Legislature may he inde
pendently nominated may be selected from the
nominations Of either political party.


Oil The Reform Club pledged to seek the abolition
OF all official fees and commissions fruitful OF
political corruption, and the substitution therefor OF
competent salaries


"Iv. Also the modification Of the existing election and
registry laws so as to deprive either party OF unfair ad
vantage and to q free and honest vote Of tho
people, end an honest count and return Of the vote


"V Also to obtain in the approaching Constitutional
Convention the services Of able and impartial men, who
will restrict the powers Of the Legislature in matters Of
special legislation and secure for city the right Of
segovernment free from uncalled for legislative inter
ference.


W. No member Of any Reform Club shall make efforts
70 obtain domination for any municipal or legislative
Office, nor Shall any candidate be mculber OF any Re-
form Club


We cite these facts for the encouragement
Of honest men everywhere. The late revolu-
ton in this City and State was not the work
of one party, nor should its benefits bc
restricted to any locality. Honest men of
every City and County we ask you to scruti-
nize sharply the accounts Of your immediate
rulers, and take care that they make a full
and candid exhibit of their recent doines.
The best Of them will be the better for
watching; the worst ought to have been in
State Prison long ago. Will you not unitedly
resolve to forget politics for time and devote
your best energies to doing justice to official
tlayHs9