The San Francisco call., 1896-05-07
MUNIoIPAL REFoRMERs.
AnnsaI Conference of the Natfo,. al
League ia Session at Baltimore.

AnnudI Conference of the Nation al
League ia Session at Baltimore.
BALTIMORE, Nd, May 6.-Many we'll
known political reformers engaged in an
effort to improve the present methods of
governing municipalities met in the as
sembly-room of Music Hall this afternoon
and opened the annual conference of the
National Municipal League. The sessions
will continue until Friday evening. Dele
gates from all parts of the country were
present.
James c. Garter of New York, one of the
country's leading jurists, presided over the
sessions to-day. He is an enthusiastic be-
lever in the organization and predicts
many beneficial results in the near future.
The first address of the day was made by
Secretary Woodruff. He reviewed the
years work in municipal reform. and pro-
duced statistics showing that to date there
are 267 enrolled bodies, with New York in
the lead. 1t has 49 municipal reform or
ganizations within its borders, New Jersey
following with 2s and Pennsylvania with
II, Ohio with Is, Illinois with 13 and Wis
consin and California with IL each. In
diana and Colorado have 10 each, and
Massach usetts, Maryland and Minnesota
each.
Continuing, he said: SIN the far West
a decided municipal unrest is everywhere
discernible apart from the financial unrest
which has given rise to Populism.
1.-THE Western communities have de-
voted so much time and energy to terri
torial expansion that they have neglected
to provide adequately against the evils of
machine politics and corruption, although
they are in the lead of their Eastern
| sisters in testing remedial legislation
"While there has been no conspicuous
event during the past twelve months,
there has been a continuous growth in
numbers and influence in the reform
ranks The friends and advocates of re-
form in Tacoma, Wash, are rejoicing over
their splendid victory of last month, after
long and arduous campaign, whereby
they secured the adoption of new
charter, including, with many other ad-
mirable provisions. stringent civil service
regulations. Over go per cent of the votes
| we're cast in its favor. This fall the citi-
zens of San Francisco will have the op-
portunity of placing that city abreast of
her sister communities by giving her q
modern charter in place of its present an
tiquated system, dating from the consoli-
dation of 1856"
Mr.. Woodruff's report was well received
and he was literally appiauded at its con-
clusioa.
Charles Morris Howard, secretary of the
Baltimore Reform League, made a very
interesting address on the recent revolt in
Baltimore, its results and its lesson.
"The work of the Ohio State Board o
Commerce" was the subject of paper by
Tom L. Johnson, secretary of the Civic
Federation OF Cleveland, Ohio. Mr.. John
son criticized the custom which had grown
up of enacting laws to fit certain condi.
tions contrary to the constitution of the
State.
Mr.. Merritt Starr read a paper or
"Chicago since the adoption OF municipa
civil service reform" giving description
of the workings of the law After quoting
from the report of the Chicago Civil Ser
vice Commission at great length, Mr.. STAR
continued: "Much has been achieved by
the Municipal League and the civil servic,
law.
'These two factors together were of more
Importance than any other factor in tn,
last municipal election, when twenty-on,
of the thirty-four candidates elected fol
Aldermen were indorsed, and in some in
stances originally nominated by tn,
league
At the close Of this afternoons session
the delegates were entertained at garden
party by the members of the Arunde
Club at Walbrook. The feature of to
nights session was the annual addres.
made by James c. Carter, president of tn,
league. He called attention to the re
markable growth of interest in question
of municipal government; to the vigo
and universally of the movement, anC
asserted that the outlook for municipal re
form was more encouraging now thar
ever before.