Doubtless there are points in which they are worse, and there is an enormous amount that needs reformation.

But it does seem to me as if, on the whole, things had slightly improved.
When I went into politics, New York City was under the control of Tammany, which was from time to time opposed by some other--and evanescent--city Democratic organization.

The up-country Democrats had not yet fallen under Tammany sway, and were on the point of developing a big country political boss in the shape of David B.Hill.The Republican party was split into the Stalwart and Half-Breed factions.

Accordingly neither party had one dominant boss, or one dominant machine, each being controlled by jarring and warring bosses and machines.

The corruption was not what it had been in the days of Tweed, when outside individuals controlled the legislators like puppets.