The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-31
EVILS OF The CITIES
MUNICIPAL REFORM Discussed AT
NATIONAL LEAGUE MEETING.
Papers Rene Yesterday by Mayor
Ochs, Of Chattanooga. Mr.. Richard
son, Mr.. HartwsI Eli and Others.

CLEVELAND. o.. May 3o.-The SECOND
days session OF the National Municinal
League was resumed this morning IN TIE
rooms OF the Chamber or In
the morning. Hon. George W. Ochs. Mayor
of Chattanooga. Tenn. read a paper on the
Municipal Condition OF Chattanooga" He
began by explaining in detail the present
government of his city. and. continuing. NJ
said: Legislative interference with munich
pal government by special enactment can
not be too strongly condemned. The ci,i-
zens are the best judges OF what their COM
munity requires. No Governor now live,
and none will ever be discovered who can
choose officials TO conduct the affairs OF a
city better than its own people. Nc present
day Legislature nor future LEGISLATURE. IN
less the early days of the millennium are
at hand, can properly administer the
government of a city which. perhaps. the
great majority OF the members never saw"
The speaker then directed his attention
TO the reforms accomplished in the munich
pal government by those in authority de-
voting personal. conscientious attention 10
the affairs of the corporation by giving lis
business the same scrutiny. the same
thought, the same thorough consideration
thdN inc 6lht 10 private UT UtTSondi con-
Germs. All legislative remedies. he said. are
absolutely futile and will accomplish moth
ing unless this spirit animates the officials.
Careless, negligent public officers under
travagance or revoke vicious meth
DDS; prudent, u%nremitting attention
n nG aetai laws un esn e eon mPst re ever
lutionize expenses. 1t is not so much a
question of methods as of morals, \ fee
grabber." a dishonest official Will md a
way unQer any SYSTEM.
Contnuing. he said: The misfortune in
our cities is the bad citizenship OF good
lamentations. they sob in dire distress over
the evils that prevail. but they are re-
duced to these lachrymosal lapses in the
wrong place-either beneath some high
vaulted temple. as this. or on the night OF
election primaries when candidates are
nominated, they pour out their sorrows in
Portable drawing rooms and on election day
they go fishing or become so absorbed
in the contemplation OF the evils that por-
tend that they actually forget 10 vote.
study the election figures of all the cities
or the United States; compare the vote for
president, for Congress-, for Governor. with
the vote Tor Mayor or alderman, and what
do You find? In nine cases out OF ten. The
presidential vote is twice or thrice as
large as the vote for Mayor. 1t is so in
my city and l presume l am safe in saying
that II is the case at the home OF nearly
every delegate here present. Whence
comes the loss? Certainly not from the
81 9ttA1l0H Alt tAELNlWu
bhoys.' The good citizen must be taught
that no city government can rise over the
level OF those governed. He must be taught
the theories of civil government do not
work reforms. Sentiment is good enough
and theories are fine educators. but -vhile
sentiment and theories are diffused,
through a precinct, perhaps. in the course
in a day"
Powell, secretary OF the Municipal League
OF Omaha; Lucius Is. Swift, of Indianapolis:
William Kennedy, Mayor of Allegheny. Pa.
and Hon. T. j. Blandin. of Cleveland.
MIR. RICHARDSON'S PAPER.
At the afternoon session Vice President
Charles Richardson, of the National League.
read an interesting paper on Municipal
Government by National Parties" He spoke
in part as follows:
Although the average citizen appears TO
De without any very adequate ideas OF
either the nature or Importance of good
city government, or the proper means OF
majority OF the voters are really in favor
OF IT. III this was not the case there would
ee little use in attempting any kind of re-
tional character. IL IL is the case. IL is OBJ
vious that in order TO make the wishes Of
the majority effective, We mus have a sys-
tenn that will enable them to unite for the
candidates"
After discussing the method of political
nomination of candidates for public Office,
Mr.. Richardson continued: Even If the
machinery OF the leading parties could be
so educated and stimulated that their nomi-
nations would be really representative, IL
would be still true that a national party Is
as unfit for a government OF a city as an
AK is for digging ground or a spade for cut
ting down trees. The real issue in munich
pal elections relates solely TO the manage
ment OF municipal business and the custom
of allowing such contests TO be decided by
combats between national parties is just
as Irrelevant and absurd as the medieval
plan of having a battle between two mall
clad knights in order TO decide which OF
their lady loves was the most beautiful"
Continuing the speaker said: mo one who
Is familiar with city politicians and ward
workers can suspect them Of being actuat7d.
as as,n a class PPyyas genuine sew devotion TO g bess
moral perceptions are not blinded by their
anxiety for personal and partisan success.
and by their belief that that success can
only be achieved by the aid of those whose
assistance must be purchased with public
offices, illegal protection or opportunities
for public plumber. IL is, therefore, essen
parties that they should be forced to aban-
don municipal functions, which have been
at once the chief attraction and the main
might be said OF the advantages OF mu-
nicipal parties in leading the voters 10
guided by their own opinions instead OF
acting as the dumb-driven cattle OF IN
principled bosses. The new system would
elimination and independence in the voters.
and a much larger proportion OF our citizens
would recognize the Importance OF honesty
and stability in local officials If no intruding
thought of national issues could blind them
to the direct connection between their votes
and the size of their tax bills, or the healtn.
prosperity and beauty OF their city. The
more we study the practical effects OF a re-
publican form OF government the M
will we perceive that II is the most power
ful of ALI human agencies for either advanc-
ing or retardjng the moral. mental ana nNd-
teriaI progress of the community in which
IL exists" -
Mr.. Richardson was ollowed by Frank y
Hartweil, president of the Good City Coz
eminent Club of Indianapolis. on the mO-
nicipal condition OF that city. and Pres
lont aonni with a nAnar- n aNlnL HL----n-