The record-union., 1895-08-24
SOME ACCOUNT OF A GREAT
CIVIC FEDERATION.


Chicago has demonstrated that political
government will not secure to a city all
the benefits to which 1t is entitled, and
that, theoretically, the government ought
to guarantee. Under political forms city
work is never done as well or cheaply as
under private and business employment.
ing that for year had been done by
merchants association was turned back
to the city government. Immediately it
was matter of common remark that the
work was not done nearly as well as
formerly and not so chsaply.
Chicago has fairly progressive city
government, Yet there the people found
Unnecessary to erect Civic Federation to
look after city affairs, and it ia reported
in the A0ae1tca'a Journal Of Sociology that
1t has found great amount of work to
do and vast quantity Of reforms to push.
evely one of which should have been un-
Necessary. In short, the Civic Federation
: has proved oonclusively that the politi-
cal government does not do what it is
erected to do.
Take a few instances. In the depart
ment of education it was found that the
proper sanitation of the schoolhouses of
Chicago was not what it should be. But
when the federation pushed the reforms
needed, the school board adopted and en-
forced them.
The object of the Chicago Civic Fedora
sion is thus outlined by Albion w. Small:
The object OF this organization is the con-
centration IN one potential non-politlcal non
gectarian center OF all The forces that are now
laboring to advance our municipal philan-
thropical, industrial and moral interests, and
TO accomplish all that is possible toward en-
erglzlng and giving effect TO the pubic con-
science of Chicago. Ii is not expected TO ac-
complish all this in one day, but all great
movements must have a beginning, and con-
sultation with leading citizens OF all classes
who desire TO see Chicago the best governed,
the healthiest and the cleanest city in this
country leads US to believe that now is the
time to begin, and especially do we believe it
pertinent that such a movement should begin
while our people are yet filed with the new
ideas, new ambitions and inspirations drawn
from the great Exposition and its valuable
adjunct, the Worlds Congress.
The recent National Municipal Conven-
ton held at Cleveland, o., arrived at the
conclusion that in all cities the political
government must be reinforced and sup
piemented by non-political and philan-
thropio volunteer civic organization or
effort if the idea of municipal benefits
and economies are to be attained.
The Civic Federation OF Chicago is an
incorporation; it is not an invention to
give persons restless for notoriety prom
inenos, but as Mr.. Gage, its first Presi-
dent, put it, it ia capitalization of SEN
timent slowly formed through long peri
DDS against civil and social abuses no
longer bearable.
The ideas on which the organization
was built and which are applicable in the
cases OF all cities. great or small. are that
the amount of social intelligence in q pop
ulation is in excess of the amount organ
lied and available for effective work. That
comfort, convenience and safety In many
respects are neglected, business stand
ards OF individuals and corporations be-
ing the basis Of judgment That the de-
fciencies of organized and effective ac-
ton are partly the fault of officers. partly
of inattention and neglect by the people.
That therefore it ia essential and feasible
to place large share of control over mu-
nicipal concerns in the hands of citizens
most responsible and patriotic.
Philadelphia has municipal league
that moves upon the same plane. The
Chicago, like the Philadelphia associa-
ton. is endeavoring to impress the peo-
pie with the thought expressed by the
Philadelphia League in its address
: to the people, wherein it says:
You are q shareholder In the cooperative
CORPORATION, the business company known
as The City. So far as other companies are
concerned you may be your own master, and
it YOU are afraid that they Will not pay good
dividends or will assess you too heavily, or
if YOU doubt the honesty or ability OF their
managers. or in case you have no money 10
invest you can decline TO become a stock-
holder. But with the city you have no sucn
option and it is only by emigration or SUI
eide that you can avoid paying poftion Oh
its expenses and becoming responsible LOT Ia
biIities which it incurs. Even II you nave
no property to be taxed, you must neveftne-
less contribute Indirectly. Prices would De
he lower and you could live Tor less II the
taxes were reduced on the house you rent tne