In 1896, William Allen White wrote an editorial in the Emporia (Kan.) Gazette that was to become one of the most famous in journalism. It was titled "What's the Matter With Kansas?" Ninety-nine years later, without any hope of a similar effect, we find it necessary to pose an echoing question about our own little corner of the world: What's the matter with Pittsburgh?

To put a fine point on it, the question really ought to read: What's the matter with the Democratic Party members who control Pittsburgh? But that is not the whole story and it lets those who are not the party faithful off the hook. Whatever is the matter with Pittsburgh also includes the prevailing culture, the one of cozy relationships, lack of imagination, institutional amnesia, resistance to change and tolerance for mediocrity or worse in our civic life.

The question can be asked almost anywhere you turn in Pittsburgh, but let us turn to city Controller Tom Flaherty, who resigned as chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee recently so he could run for judge of the Common Pleas Court.

Mr. Flaherty, an old-school politician of the first order, has been a lawyer only since 1998 and has never tried a case in court. He believes that his government experience qualifies him to be a judge -- a notion so surreal that you would think only Salvador Dali would be impressed. But this being Pittsburgh, the Democratic committee passed over much more qualified candidates to include him in its seven endorsements. To paraphrase the language of William Allen White, oh, this is a city to be proud of! We are a people who can hold up our heads!

Then there is the matter of former City Council President Ben Woods, who in 1989 was found guilty in federal court of taking bribes to influence contracts on city projects. He was sentenced in 1990 and served three years in federal prison. Mr. Woods has paid his debt to society and shouldn't have to wear a scarlet letter, but that doesn't mean he should become the vice chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, which occurred last Saturday. A man with that much baggage would ordinarily require a forklift to elevate him.

Is there no competent person without a past indictment to help reform a party in desperate need of some? It boggles the imagination to think of what spectacularly unqualified person Democrats may choose to permanently replace Mr. Flaherty in the summer (Jean Milko is currently filling in).

What's the matter with Pittsburgh? Back to the words of Editor White: "Nothing under the shining sun." But we can't help noticing it has been cloudy lately with a distinct chill in the air.