The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-30
A CIVIC AWAKENING
MIR. WOODRUFF SAYS MUNICIPAL RE-
FORM is MAKING PROGRESS.
First Days Session OF the National
LenEue-President Carter's Address
His Views of the Work.

- Ady 9-AltnOuRn but a
Few or the famous Americans who are on
the programme of the first great convention
of the National Municipal League are here.
the meeting began to-day with a good at
tendance and prospects for a profitable in
terchange of idea The meeting room of the
Chamber of Commerce was well filled with
delegates and prominent citizens of Cleye-
land at 3 o'clock when the. convention be-
gan. j. G. w. Cowles welcomed the league
on behalf Of the city, and a letter of well
come was read from Mayor McKisson,
who was not in the city. Hon. James c.
Carter. of New York, the president of the
league. made a brief response. He was fol-
lowed by Clinton Rogers Woodruff, of Phil
adelphia. the secretary, who read a paper on
"A Years Work for Municipal Reform"
Mr.. Woodruff began by referring to the
rapid progress Of municipal reform-the I'M
paralleled civic awakening and truly extra
ordinary development of interest in munich
pal .affairs-during the past fifteen months,
and the encouragement the movement has
received. Then he detailed the process of
formation of the various reform organiza-
tons in different cities Of the continent,
and referred to the unprecedented progress
of organized municipal reform efforts, the
already large and constantly increasing lit
erature on the subject, and the very gen.
eral and continuous discussion Of it in all
the leading newspapers of the land. After
discussing the success of the movement In
various cities, he continued:
Nc account of municipal reform progress
would be complete without a reference TO
the increasing activity and cooperation of
women. They are rapidly coming to the
front, both in their own organizations, like
the health protective association or women's
clubs, and in organizations like the civic
federation of Chicago. composed of men and
TO the study of the complex problems of
the cities. There are few communities
where women now have the right OF NUM-
cipal suffrage: hence their activity is of
necessity limited to educational and agita-
tory efforts, and to 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 capacity.
Back of all the diversity of FORM" the
speaker continued, 1--WE see a sturdy, reSo-
lutte determination TO remove the stigma
that is resting upon American municipali-
ties. 1t is the spirit of 1776 and 1860, man
lfeSting itself in a new way. Some or the
efforts are crude; some destined to failure;
all TO temporary defeats; but assuredly, as
our independence was won and the Union
preserved, just so surely will the evil of
municipal misgovernment be eventually
conquered and American cities placed where
they should be-in the very front rank of
well-governed cities"
Club. of New York, made a report on the
reform efforts in the metropolis. John A.
Butler, representing the Milwaukee League,
reported that the work in that city was be-
ing prosecuted on a definite plan, and that
it has probably determined the character
of the next State Legislature. Charles j.
Bonaparte, of Baltimore. reported a condi-
ton of standstill in his city. George Burn
ham. of Philadelphia, reported good prog
reSS.
AS the old corps Of officers were all
Eastern men. the organic law of the league
nrpQiipntS WAS inPrp1C sod 70 five and the
number of the executive committee to nine
in order that the West could be repre-
and in addition these Western officers
ehosen; Third vice president en:.,d Thomas "a, M n
president, L. Z. Holden, of Cleveland: fifth
vice president. DR.. H. Dickson Burns, Of
New Orleans. of the Ballot Reform League
Board of Trade: Frank N. Hartwell. pres
ident of the Good Government Club of
Louisville, Ky.
MR.. CARRIERS ADDRESS.
A public melting was held in the evening
at the First Methodist Church. James c.
Carter. of New York, president of the
National Municiual League. made his annual
address, which was an interesting exposition
Of the aims of the organization. In closing.
he said:
Il. THEREFORE, conclude that the best, and
indeed. the only remedy, for our municipal
ills lies in asserting as our platform the
plain and simple doctrine that municipal
administration is no proper concern or the
national and State parties, and that they
should not interfere In any manner with it.
and in acting on that doctrine aggressively
by arraying all who will accept, 1T In organ
~izations for the nomination and election of
candidates pledged to administer office alb
solutely without reference TO national or
of the corrupt alliance Which everywhere
holds us i'm it's chains until We shake off that
party interference by which 1t is engen-
IF this end could be attained We should
be able TO bring about a reorganization
of the framework Of municipal government
in our great cities upon the basis of that
principle commonly called home rule. In
many of our cities, notably those Of the
largely deprived of all Immediate super
vision and control of their municipal af-
fairs. There is no council or legislative body
pie have, indeed, the privilege of electing
a few municipal officers. but the duties of
these oilli;ers are I0e .h hv m 1s@s p sasea pr bv
the Legislature. There is little room for
the exercise of that constant discretion
is well nigh abrogated. The power of the
State is continually invoked, even IN refer
ence to such concerns as the opening OF
streets and public places. A large part or
the time of legislators from the rural dis
tricts is occupied in discussing the wants
and need of city populations OF which they
are o II IlOSl part Il anu III MI
it is impossible they should feel the person.
al interest which is requisite to just ad-
ministration. This situation is full of oppor-
tunities for the prosecution of schemes
for the private advantage of individuals
and the fortunes of the municipalities be-
come the traffic of the legislative Hobbies.
"And yet this system Of government has
been found necessary. The inhabitants of
the cities, plundered without limit by their
own legislative bodies, have been compelled
to fly to the State for relief. The system,
bad as 1t is. cannot safely be changed in
corrupt alliance the people are enabled to
obtain the control of the electorate; and
the same necessity will probably come to
be felt in other cities of the country which,
so far, have been permitted to retain self
government.
Il have spoken only of those benefits of
reform in municipal administration which
would be felt by the cities themselves;
but in truth this would be but half of
the blessing. 1t would extend to our ma
tional politics. Who does not see with
humiliation the extent to which mere
personal interests and ambitions now
govern the action of our national parties?
They are becoming incapable of discharg-
ing the true functions for which ma 1onal
parties exist. Among the causes for this
sad condition there is no factor more potent
than municipal corruption. Under its blight
ing and whitening influence the char
acter OF the representatives in the ma
tional councils from all the great cities
has sensibly declined. The prodigious power
gained and exercised by the municipal
spoilsmen and their control over great
masses of the popular vote, ara. an all-per-
vading evil. The power is ard must be
courted by the leaders of the national par
aspire TO the presidency and to seats In
the Senate. II NAV be and is the subject of