GOOD CITIZENSHIP HELPLESS 241 



issued, of a then selling or market value of $9,000,000; 

 how this vast sum represented to the railway promoters and 

 owners a clear profit of nearly $8,000,000, or an amount 

 equal to about one-half of the entire real and personal rata- 

 bles of East Orange. 



The accuracy of these facts was not questioned or the 

 correctness of the figures denied. They were elaborated 

 upon by Milo R. Maltbie, the street railway expert, who of- 

 fered indisputable evidence in support of the value of such 

 franchises. 



But the die was cast. It was evident that it had been 

 cast for passing the ordinance before the meeting had con- 

 vened. Facts and arguments were alike unavailing. The 

 whip of the corporation, through the party machine, had 

 been snapped. All the combined elements of good citizen- 

 ship were there helpless. The roll was called. Down went 

 the gavel. Again the curtain, with the lobbyists jubilant, 

 the Park Commission unseen in the dim distance, and the 

 forces that make for destruction in the cities of this coun- 

 try, for the third time, in the ascendency. 



