Just as Howard was ready to reverse Malcolm's editorial programme, New York
was seized with one of its "periodic spasms of virtue." The city government
was, as usual, in the hands of the two bosses who owned the two political
machines. One was taking the responsibility and the larger share of the
spoils; the other was maintaining him in power and getting the smaller but
a satisfactory share. The alliance between the police and criminal vice had
become so open and aggressive under this bi-boss patronage that the people
were aroused and indignant. But as they had no capable leaders and no way
of selecting leaders, there arose a self-constituted leadership of uptown
Phariseeism and sentimentality, planning the "purification" of the city.
Every man of sense knowing human nature and the conditions of city life
knew that this plan was foredoomed to ridiculous failure, and that the
event would be a popular revulsion against "reform."
"Why not speak the truth about these vice-hunters?" Howard was discussing
the situation with three of his editorial writers--Segur, Huntington and
Montgomery.
"It's mighty dangerous," Montgomery objected. "You will be sticking knives
into a sacred Anglo-Saxon hypocrisy."
"Yes, we'll have all the good people about our ears," said Segur.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169