The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-30
Their Labors in Many Of the
Big Cities Are Highly
Appreciated.
EVILS THAT ARE TO BE MET.
Resolute Determination to Remove
the Stigma Upon American
Municipalities.

a few of the famous Americans who are on
the programme of the first great conference
of the National Municipal League have
not yet appeared. the meeting began to-day
with good attendance and prospects for a
profitable interchange of ideas. The
meeting-room of the Chamber of Com
MERGE was well filled with delegates
and prominent citizens of Cleveland
at o'clock when the convention began.
]. W. G. Cowles welcomed the league on
behalf of the city and letter Of welcome
was read from Mayor McKissen, who is not
in the city. Hon. James w. Carter of New
York, the president of the league, made a
ton Rogers Woodruff of Philadelphia, who
read a paper on "a Years Work for
Municipal Reform
Mr. Woodruff began by referring to the
rapid progress of municipal reform, the
unparalleled civic awakening and truly
extraordinary development of interest in
municipal affairs during the past fifteen
months and the encouragement the move
ment has received. After discussing the
success of the movement in various cities
he continued:
"No account of municipal reform pro-
gress would be complete without refer
ence to the increasing activity and cooper
alton of woman. They are rapidly coming
to the front both in their own organize
tons, like the heath protective associa-
tons or women clubs, and in organizations
like the Civic Federation of Chicago, com.
posed of men and women. We find them
contributing largely to the study of the
nj of "a
There are few communities now that
have the right of municipal suf-
frage, hence their activity is of neces-
sity limited to educational and agitatory
efforts and looking after the details of
municipal housekeeping. Wherever their
efforts have been properly and persistently
directed in these channels substantial re-
suits have been accomplished, for in these
directions women have exceptional Ca
pacity to Judge.
Back of all the diversity OF FORMS" the
speaker continued, ''we see steady, reso-
lutte determination to remove the stigma
that is resting upon American munich
palities. 1t is the spirit of 1776 and 1860
manifesting itself in new way. Some of
the efforts are crude, some destined to
failure, all to temporary defeats, but as
surely as our independence and the Union
were preserved, just SO surely will the evils
of municipal misgovernment be eventually
conquered and American cities placed
where they should be-in the very front
rank of well-governed cities.
"What the coming year may have in
store for the movement cannot be foretold,
but of one thing we are assured-the whole
question has come to be discussed as never
before, and its importance has been brought
home to large number of those who value
their political heritage and those interested
in their country's highest development
Something more than this, how
ever, is necessary. A deep-seated
determination to sacrifice everything
if need be rather than permit the dearly
earned liberties and reputation transmitted
to us by our forefathers to be diminished
or furnished by selfish incompetency and
inefficiency. The present situation may
not be so dramatic as that of 1776 or of 1860,
but is equally as portentous to the future
welfare and maintenance of our republican
States"
James w. Pryor, secretary of the City
Club OF New York, made report on the
reform efforts in the metropolis.
Hon. A. Butler, representing the Mil
waukee League, reported that the work in
that city was being prosecuted on definite
plan, and that it had probably determined
the character of the next Legislature.
Charles ]. Bonaparte of Baltimore re-
ported condition of staDdstill in his city,
with healthy boss in power; due, he be-
lieved, to the fact that all their taxes COM
mittee was appointed by a partisan council.
George Burnham of Philadelphia re-
ported good progress.
AS the old corps of officers were all
Eastern men the organic law of the league
was so changed that the number of vice
presidents was increased to five and the
members of the executive committee to
nine in order that the West could be repre-
sented. The old officers were reelected
and in addition Western officers chosen
as follows: For third vice-president.
Thomas N. Strong, Portland, Oregon Pres
ident Of the Municipal League of Portland !;
for fourth vice-president, L. e. Holden of
Cleveland; for fifth vice-president, DR.. H.
Dickson of New Orleans, of the Ballot Re-
form League of Louisiana.
Executive committee, A. L. Crozier,
president of the Minneapolis Board of
Trade; Frank N. Hartwell, president of
the Good Government Club of Louisville.
A public meeting was held in the even
ing at the First Methodist Church, Presi-
dent Wilson M. Day of the Cleveland
Chamber of Commerce, in the chair.
James G. Carter OF New York, president of
the National Municipal League, made his
annual address, which was an interesting
exposition of the aims of the organization.
Hon. Bert Walsh of Philadelphia fol-
lowed with an address upon the municipal
condition of that city, which he said was
as bad as it could be. and Charles G. Bona
parte of Baltimore spoke in general way
Of the leagues work.
DONE By THE DEPUTY.