Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-01
A REIGN OF REFORM:
To Be Inaugurated in Alle'
gheny Tomorrow When
Mayor Kennedy Is
SWORN IN BY COUNCILS.
Secret History of the Movement That
Shook the Northside.
THE CAUSES LEADING UP TO 1T.
Part Played by One Nan in Perfecting the
Organization.
SWORN IN BY COUNCILS.
He CAUSES LEADING UP TO 1T.
Part Played by One Nan in Perfecting the
Organization.
SOEE RESULTS ALREADY ATTAINED


Major William NJ. Kennedy, the newly
elected Mayor of Allegheny, will be in
augurated at noon tomorrow. The City
Councils will meet in joint session at that
time, the President Of the Select branch
of Councils will administer the oath. of
flee to the new President of that munich
pality, and Mayor Voegtly will, in the
presence of the Counci,men, transfer the
Mavoraltv to his successor
Mavor Kennedy's term of office will ex-
pire in II months He was chosen to fill
The unexpTed term of ex-Mavor Wyman.
NJ has vet about 80 days of his term of
imprisonment TO serve.
Major Kennedy rode to place and powe.
in Allegheny on the topmost wave of the
recent reform food. He was first elected to
Councils as reformer. He has never been
Extensively active with his associates. but
his record has been clean and his efforts
have been progressive and have always
been turned in the direction of securing a
proper administration Of municipal affairs.
Where the Reform Movement Started.
The history of the organization that has
given to Allegheny City her new reform
Mayor is decidedly interesting, and ths
work accomplished by that organization is
more or less wonderful The reform move
ment in Allegheny is but little over one
wear old. Since its Inauguration, however,
it has sent the Mayor of the city to jail for
three months; it has sent to the same prison
the citv's market clerk for q term
of six months; it was instrumental
IN the removal from Office of the
collector of internal revenue for the
Pittsburg district, it has succeeded in
having held for trial in court on a variety
of charges the Chic: of Allegheny Depart
ment of Public Safety and two of his police
officers it has caused investigation after in
vestiCation OF the Allegheny postoffice, it
has succeeded in having Allegheny's assist
ant postmaster removed from Office and held
in bail to answer in court the charge of en-
bezzlement
Elected the City's Chief Officer.
1t has secured majority of the members
Of the CITY Councils and finally it will to-
morrow inaugurate its reform Mayor. Yet
the movement and much of the work it has
accomplished was the work of George
Shiras Ill, who had made the organiza-
ton a substantial success before even his
~oiitical associates were aware that
controlling hand.
rnitv and the occasion for the
alton became apparent to
'he election to Congress of
90 In that fight, which
Tg Shiras polled about
popular vote, but
ajority OF the dele
ting convention
~. -an, where he
spent long - fishing. A
short time after his rer-. 'leghenv the
following platform, headed, I'm. Commit
tee of Fifty for a New Allegheny" was
mailed to goodly number of Allegheny's
best citizens:
Resolved, The purpose of this organiza-
tiOn is to assist:
!. In securing and maintaining for the city
OF Allegheny a well regulated municipal
government managed in business like
manner, whose officers shall be elected or
appointed solely with reference to their
qualifications for office: and whose Council
men, rising above mere party influence, will
serve only the best interests of the city.
For Fair and Honest Elections.
. In securing honest and fair elections
freed from corporation influence, and from
official interference; and tbs. adoption OF the
Crawford county system OF voting for all
nominations.
g. In securing the passage of ordinances
compelling the Adoption and use by the
larger manufacturing plants, Of the latest
and most approved smoke consumers.
4 In obtaining proper systems OF rapid
transit within city limits, and strict regula-
tiOn oErhe same.
- In demanding that the city shall receive
adequate compensation for all valuable
franchises OEferred.
G. In requiring that the city shall be fur
nished with a plentiful supply of pure water;
well constructed sewers; a uniform system
Of improved street pavements and roads
laid upon substantial foundations: the re-
mOyal o: electric towers, except in public
parks. and the substitution of the Pittsburg
system of electric lighting: the ultimate re-
nOval of overhead wires from built-up por-
tiOns of the city: the prohibition of dhnger-
Gus systems OF exposed wires. and the abolt-
tion Of dangerous grade crossings.
:. Additions to the public school facilities
that will afford adequate accommodations
for all children; the freedom of school
boards from political interference and the
selection OF teachers specially qualified for
the work. .-.:-
To Protect the Wharf and River From.
s. In protecting the city wharf and river
front from the unlawful encroachments-b by
adjacent property owners, or the exclusive
use and occupation of the same by private
corporations.
9. In the modification, by the present
Legislature, of laws regulating cities of the
second class. if the same Ire now applicable,
so as to comporJ with existing needs and
revenue, and thereby avoid the creation
and maintenance of unnecessary offices or
departments, and the payment of unearned
salaries
TO- In requiring that the selection of heads
of departments and other city officers, the
passage of ordinances fixing the salaries
and number of employees, shall be by COun-
ellis constitute after the ensuing munich
pal election; and by all lawful means the
. nIaintenance of the rights ana the promo
tiun Of the health, comfort and prosperity OF
our citizens.
The circular was signed by "The Advisory
Committee" No one knew who composed
the Advisory Committee, but they favored
the movement Within month another
circular bearing directly on municipal re-
IN WIS mailed to the same people, and
men hundreds of people began talking of
the organization apG its objects No one
but Mr. Shiras knew anything definite about
the movement, however, and he was not
talking much. All the Pittsburs papers
Endorsed it, and the association that seemed
10 promise so much still consisted of the one
man.
a Call to Representative Citizens.
On February g. 1891, another circular was
issued. 1t too was signed by "The Advisory
Committee" 1t was addressed to the same
people as were the first ones. 1t contained
The editorial Endorsement of the scheme by
the Pittsburg papers and called direct at
tention to. the approaching Councilmanic
election. Among other things the circular
said:
On February II, Councilmanic candida tes
will h8ve been nominated and elected. The
city OF Allegheny, under new and enlarged