The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-10
For Good city Government.

Though the difficulties in the way OF
the reform of our municipal governments
are enormous. 1t cannot be that a people
50 sef-relant as ours and gifted with
such marked political adaptiveness. can
tail in time TO devise a remedy. II IS
an encouraging symptom that the need
for such remedy is becoming generally
recognized, and that in nearly every large
city there Is some kind OF organization
at work, seeking TO combat the demon
alizing influence Of municipal corruption.
The introduction Of the Australian ballot
is another movement promising large re-
suits, as the facilities which it affords
for independent nominations and voting
diminish greatly the enormous prepoDder-
ance hitherto enjoyed by the thoroughly
organized political machines. With a
view Of concentrating and stimulating the
reform sentiment, and OF utilizing It as
far as possible Ia practical channels, the
Municipal League Of Philadelphia has
called a conference To assemble IN that
city on the 9th and 2Gth Of the present
month, inviting the attendance Of rep
resentatves from similar bodies IN other
cities. and of prominent gentlemen who
are actively Interested in elevating TIE
standard Of municipal public life. The re-
sponses already received show that
the project Is recognized as
an important step in advance.
and that Il IS fun OF promise In
STRENGTHENING the hands of the laboreTs
for good civic government. If his PROBES
sioral engagements permit. the conference
viii be presided over by MIR. James T..
Carter. president OF the city Club ~
New York. Delegates Will be present
from the Citizens Association OF Boston,
the City CLUB of New York. the TAX
payers Association, and the Reform
League OF Baltimore. the Civic Fedora.
ton or Chicago. the Minneapolis Board
Of Trade. the Civil Service Reform As
ISOLATION. and other organizations. besides
many gentlemen we'll known for their
labors in the cause. The proceedings Will
open with brief addresses sketching the
existing conditions Of municipal govern
ment in Boston. Philadelphia, Baltimore,
and Chicago, by men thoroughly familiar
with all local details. In the afternoon
session OF the 25th some special topics
will be presented and debated. On the
10Th the morning session will be occupied
-';h the q ation Glow TO arrows !, 10
iic -entimeNt ia f0vor Of 'od ritv W.
err ment." foi'swe in tie Hl| $1,000. rlth
"t.ow 10 briss pGbic sen ent 10 bear
upon the choice Of good public officials
botn subjects Of vital Importance, on which
careful papers have been prepared by
gentlemen representing the various large
cities. At each session due tine Will be
allowed for discussion and the inter
change Of opinion. The conference viii
close with a public meeting. at which ad-
dresses are promised by the Rev. DR..
Painsford, the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt,
and other gentlemen familiar with the
| practical details Of the question involved.
\ gathering such this. of earnest
| thoughtful men, bringing together the
| varied experiences Of municipal misrule in
ali the larger cities OF the la,d, and dis
| csssirg the most feasible aud effective
| plans Of reform. e ONE n the most on
couragils sigas OF TIE times y 'cftiles
ga the awakening Of the public cc~sciee CO
! on 2 question which IS second . none IN
/ iie influence o. the weii-ieirr ~ the
/ PEOPLE ond the pcgQetBity OF oar i.sfltV-
tons. L. this awaA enins can be rendered
general there need be no fears as u
the eventual result.-Harper's Weekly.