Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-03-26
For annn CITY Gorsrnmen,.

IL ls announced that tho fourth Ma
tional Conference for Good City Gov
ernment will be held in Baltimore, on
May 9th, 7th and Sth, 1896, in coniunc-
tion with, and under the auspices OF
tho second annual meeting of the Ma
tional Municipal League. The com
mittee of arrangements received inyi-
tations from several other Southern
cities, but in view Of its convenient
location to the active bodies affiliated
with the League; rs also Of its recent
reform activity, Baltimore was finally
decided upon. II is further announced
that no effort will be spared on the
part OF the local and general commit
tees to make the conference the most
successful and interesting thus far held.
Distinguished speakers will be present
and speak upon important phases of
the subject. A programme of the meet
ings can be had upon application TO tho
secretary.
The consideration Of the municipal
condition of leading cities will be con
tinued. especial attention being given
To Southern cities. Practical questions,
such as whether municipal Legislators
should be paid; ought there to be one
or two chambers in the municipal leg
islaturc, and the municipal ownership
and control of railroads and other pub.
lie franchises, will be discussed.
The National Municipal League has
already, during its brief existence,
exerted sound and improving influence
upon municipal government. 1t has
awakened an interest in the subject in
many cities, which resulted in the for
nation of clubs or other organization g
having for their object tho elevation of
municipal government to its highest
and moet effective standard. In some
instances these organizations-not
the Civic Federation of Chicago
great power in driving out the cor
rupt ringsters who make Of municipal
government disgraceful scramble for
plumber, and establishing in their stead
decent and effective local administra-
tion.
II is peculiarly appropriate that this
years meeting should be held in Balti-
more. The Independent voters Of that
city, at the last election, overthrow
government by the ring politicians OF
the then dominant party, only to learn,
later, that as far as City Councils are
concerned, they had simply transferred
municipal power from the partisans of
one party to the partisans of the other
Fortunately, the mayor is boldly and
bravely holding out for fulfilment of
the letter, as well as the spirit, of the
pledges made to the people during the
campaign, and is firmly opposing tho
spoilsmen of his party who insist upon
making the award Of official places
paramount to the interests of the peo.
pie. How to avoid such a surprising
condition, and secure to the people the
full fruits of their victory after they
have successfully battlod at the polls
for good, clean, non partisan city gov
ernment, is subject the League may
consider with much profit.
Tho League is composed of delegates
from the various municipal organiza.
tions in the interest of good government
and new organizations will be cordially
welcomed.
Wilmington should havo representa-
tion in this admirable organization, as
the conditions Of government in this
city are such as to require thoughtful
consideration, with view to securing
a more effective system. The call for
the League meeting cordially invites
"all interested in tho welfare of our
American cities" to attend. Informa-
tion may be obtained of the secretary.
Mr.. Clinton Rogers Woodruff, 514 Wal.
nut street, Philadelphia.