The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-14
THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUES.

pal Leagues now organized IN various
cities, which formed portion of Mr..
Woodruff's valuable article. AS the
people are now discussing this gen.
eral question of municipal govern
ment and gradually reaching conclu-
sions which are sure to bear good
fruit hereafter in the better govern
ment of our large cities, the informa-
ton Mr.. Woodruff imparts in refer
ence to the Leagues now in operation
is important. We give herewith a
substantial resume of those portions
of the article, which we could not
print in their appropriate connec-
ton in our last paper. The writer's
position as General Secretary of the
National Municipal League of Phila-
delphia affords him ample opportun-
ity for collecting the facts in reference
to these organizations. Our readers
will be interested in the results of his
Investigations, which we condense as
follows:
Two varieties of Municipal Leagues
are represented by the Philadelphia
and Boston organizations. Tie form
er differs radically from the latter,
and from all other forms of munich
pal reform bodies. 1t is distinct
and we'll defined attempt to establish
a municipal party. The Philadelphia
Municipal League takes no part in
the primaries of either party, believ-
ing, as all must who have made any
extended observation, that they are
so thoroughly part and parcel of
the political machine, that they can
not be utilized by the reformer for
his purposes, even-by the exertion of
extraordinary effort.
The Philadelphia League conducts
it's own primaries protected by the
Australian method), makes it's own
nominations, and it's candidates APP
pear under Municipal League head
ing on the official ballot. The League
realizes that the present condition OF
municipal affairs is made possible and
maintained by compact and thor
oughly trained political organization,
and that but little Roadway can be
made in the direction of reform until
this political machine is opposed by
an equally compact body, organized
and working as heartily and persist
emily for higher and better municipal
life as the former works to maintain
the present system of partisan admin
istration. This League has been
through several campaigns; has elect
ed some men, but many of its candi-
dates have been defeated. In the
meantime it's efforts have not been
without fruit, and larger proportion
of the people of Philadelphia are
more intelligently interested in the
question of good city government and
more alert to its true Importance than
at any previous period in its history.
Although namesake of the Phila-
delphia League, the Boston Municipal
League is based on a different idea.
The membership is limited to $50,
and is made up of delegates from the
various religious, philanthropic, be-
nevolent, trade and other public
bodies of Boston. Its work has been
along the line of creating and mold
ing public opinion. For instance, it
is leading the demand for an i'm
proved charter and for proportional
representation Its aim is to aid in
the solution of the great social, civic,
economic and industrial problems, as
we'll as the political. In his opening
address President Capen said:
1--WE are united together in an honest
effort to study our municipal problems;
to help create right public opinion
upon questions as they arise; to foster a
civic pride, especially among those who
have been Indifferent hitherto; to en-
courage our best citizens to make sacri-
fees and to accept Office as a public
trust; to defeat, if we can, the unscrup-
ulous politician who schemes for place
and power only that he may serve him
self; to encourage faithful officials; to
call attention in a courteous manner to
incompetency; and by every means in
our power to render such service toward
good government as may seem wise and
judicious. Our method is through agi-
tation and organization"
The Denver Municipal League re-
sembles the Boston League, while the
Milwaukee,, Wis., Omaha (Neb., }
st. Paul and Minneapolis leagues are
modelled on the Philadelphia plan.
The Municipal League OF Grand
Rapids, Mich, is managed by a
board of delegates from the various
public organizations of the city, but
unlike the Boston League has mem
bership composed Of all who believe