Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-09

prohibition, would be too drastic, can be
called an advance only in so far as it
clears the way for other, milder remedies.
HOW TO combine the greatest freedom of
local action with sufficient control on the
part of the state, and how to limit the in
reference of the legislature without pre-
venting that interference when required Is
Inc problem which now, as ever, confronts
municipal reformerS in every state"
After describing the various features of
the New York state municipal government
BOARD Dill, the speaker said that there Is
good reason to hope that unless some other
state should act promptly, New York will
De the pioneer commonwealth to adopt the
principle of a state board of rnunicinaI
control.
1T is firmly believed" he continued,
that this bill contains the germs of a
reform which will be found valuable in
nearly early all the states of the Union.
We do not claim" said Mr. Hollis, In
conclusion, ito have discovered lin the
board bill referred toy anything like a pam
acea. The American student of politics
must become painfully aware by long ex-
perlence that the stream of municipal gov
eminent cannot rise higher than it's source
We do claim, however, that the experience
OIL ENGLAND and the given facts of our mu-
nlclpal situation in this country warrant
the nope that the state municipal govern
ment board may hereafter become rec og-
nized institution of the American common
wealth, and that its possibilities for good
give 1t well-fouEded claim upon the at
Municipal Council Reform.
He was followed by Henry w. Williams
of this city, who spoke on the Reform of
Our Municipal Councils"
Mr.. Williams asserted that the necessity
for reform in municipal councils had been
demonstrated by the experiences Of all
large cities. especially in New York, Phil
adelpbia and Chicago, and added that the
recent lesson in Baltimore was a most
striking ore. He contendod that the result
in that city had been because of the fact
that the men elected were chosen, not up
on reform ticket but upon a partisan
ticket, through ward primaries and ward
elections. The result. said the speaker
has been nothing more than should have
heer expected.
He contended that it was not probable
that councilmen chosen under the present
system shall possess the qualifications nee
essary to the proper discharge Of that Of
fee.
Nor is the remedy to be sought in mag
1iifying the power of the mayor. The one
man power Is dangerous as the other.
The remedy. the speaker thought, is to
be found in change in the manner of Sc
lecting members Of city councils. The first
essential is that they shall be representa-
tive men.
Mr.. Williams then explained his plan in
great detail the result of which he con-
tended would be to work a revolution in
our municipal governments. He added that
he believed that the people had only SUBJ
mitted to being misruled because they saw
no remedy for it, and said, in conclusion:
Let us now direct our fight against ward
politics and the ward politician, and never
stop until, through the abolition of ward
lines, and the election of our councilmen
upon general ticket, We obtain municipal
councils, representatives., not of the ward
politicians, but of the intelligence and hon
esty of our municipalities
One or Two Municipal Chambers.
John A. Butler, president of the Milwau-
kee Municipal League, spoke to the text:
"Shall We Have One or Two Municipal
Chambers?"
Mr.. Butler, after having carefully defined
the question in all it's bearings, said that
the proper and best way to solve it is by
testing popular feeling and by research
both of which would indicate what city is
and how it should be governed. He had
therefore forwarded letters of inquiry to
many municipal officials, and from their
replies he concluded that 1.-The general SEN
timent is toward adequate representation
ard increased local legislat ton, closeness of
the citizen to the official, responsible ex-
ecutive power, full elaboration and sim
plicity." Continuing, Mr. Butler said that
the mayor of Buffalo, N. Y, had written
saying that the experiment of a double
council in that city had proven satisfactory
after four years trial; that the weight of
testimony In favor of two councils was
unqualified by advices from ST. Louis,
Cambridge, Cincinnati, Allegheny, Dallas,
Denver, Erie, Lowell, Richmond, Wor-
cester, Mass: Wilmington, Del, and other
cities. Indianapolis, Cleveland, Dayton
burlington, Iowa, and other cities favor a
system having it's equivalent in one form or
another. Mr.. Butler then cited many rea-
sons for the existence of a double council
rather than single, one to be composed
OF ward representatives, the other of rep
resentatives elected from the city at large.
submit in conclusion that, in considera-
tion of all that has been said, it is better to
nave double council for purposes of leg
islation, In any case; but If the council has
the power of making contracts, it is an alb
solute necessity. In all cases one chamber
should be elected at large and all execu-
tive power and responsibility should be
conferred in the mayor"
A paper on the same subject was read Inv
Samuel b. Capen, president Of the Boston
League.
Mr.. Capen explained the changes in the
municipal government of Boston sought to
be made by the Municipal League in SUBJ
shutting -. single board of tWenty-seyen
members for the present boards of twelve
aldermen and seventy-five councilmen.
1t is urged that such system will give
better results than the present, because it
would give a more efficient government
economy in administration and help to de-
fine responsibility. AS a safeguard against
nasty action board of apportionment,
consisting of the mayor, chairman of the
board of councillors, the auditor and the
two senior members of the sinking fund
commissioners, had been provided for, by
which board every expenditure of money
must be approved.
He quoted examples Of similar govern
ments in Europe and claimed that they are
uniformly successful.
What we need, therefore," he added
land all we need for legislative purposes is
a good working body which shall be in
touch with the people. We need the best
representatives from the great financial
and business and labor interests, sitting to-
gether with a single aim to promote the
public welfare. 1t will be a great step in
this direction when we abolish all methods
and machinery which remind us Of ma
tional politics, and consider the business of
our cities as a great trust to be admins
tered upon business principles. Then and
only then shall we rid ourselves of the
petty scheming and selfish politicians of all
parties. and make 1t possible for our best
citizens TO do honorable service in making
the cities where they live more and more
like city Of God"
Salaries for Councilmen.
SHOULD Municipal Legislators Receive
Salary" was read by James W. Pryor of
New York. Mr.. Pryor said, in opening.
that all municipal questions must neces-
sarily be somewhat experimental because