New-York tribune., 1896-05-09
REFORM WORK ADVANCED.
THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUES SUCCESSFUL
MEETING ENDS.
COLONEL wARING TELLS OF HIS LABoRs IN NEW
YORK AND OTHER PAPERS ON BETTER
CITY GOVERNMENT ARE READ.

COLONEL wARING TELLS OF HIS LABoRs IN NEW
YORK. AND OTHER PAPERS ON BETTER
CITY GOVERNMENT ARE READ.
Baltimore. May s-The National Municipal
League completed its programme to-day and ad-
journed The sessions have unquestionasiy peen OF
great value. showing the extraordinary rise OF
interest in reform work. The papers read before
the convention have been. for the most part, Sc
verely practical and the delegates appear to be
imbued with the belief that excellent results are
bound to follow. To-days session began with an
address by Frederick william Hollis. OF New-York,
state Boards Of Municipal Control MT Hols
gave In detail the provisions Of the bill submitted
by the NewYork Commission, OF which he said
1t was generally believed that 1t contained the
germs OF a reform which would be found valuable
In nearly all the States Of the Union. Henry W.
Williams OF Baltimore read an interesting paper
on the reform OF municipal Councils, In which he
took the ground that single Council would be an
infinitely better system than the double aHar'
provided ward lines were abolished and the Coun-
cilmen elected on a general ticket james W.
Pryor, secretary OF the City Club Of New-York,
read a paper on Should Municipal Legislators Re-
ceve a Salary" In which he said that American
Aldermen are In both character and ability be-
low the standard OF their communities; that tne
salaries are not sufficiently large 10 attract quail
fled men: that most honorable men, however pup
lc-spirted. must see some consideration to Offset
the Stigma Wnlcn SeneTily dttdCHeo " eio 0'''SS
OF Alderman member Of the Council.
Samuel B. Capen, president OF the Boston Mu-
n,cIpal League discussed the question: shall we
Have One or Two Legislative Chambers?' He said
that the Boston League had been for two years
advocating a change in the city charter, whereby
one legislative body should be substituted for the
present system. In his paper on "A Single or
Double Council" John A. Butler. president Of the
Milwaukee Municipal League, discussed the ques-
ton OF how the present municipal machinery could
be rearranged and the town-meeting idea applied.
rohn Rovd Thacher Mayor OF Albany. n. Y. pre-
sented a paper the municipal condition OF Inc
Second Oldest incorporated Municipality In nat
Are Now the United States OF America ne
dwelt at length on Albany's ancient charter. It's
present charter and the ideal charter. the latter
being a creation Of his own, which was first con-
s.dered ten years and was again presenter 'h's
wear to the Legislature OF New-York. but was
not acted on. His Idea Is to abolish all ooarus,
commissions and other complicated agencies ana
fasten all municipal responsibility on the Mayor.
Co,onel George f. Waring Jr., chief OF the Depart
ment OF Street Cleaning In New-York, discussed the
subject OF Separation OF Politics from Municipal
Business" He gave a sketch Of his work In New
York City stating that he had accepted the ap-
pointnent or the distinct understanding that ne was
not 10 be interfered with by politicians and. he
added Mayor Strong had not interfered with MIN
from that day TO this When he took charge the
Department was in a bad condition. the keepers OF
the stables and other subordinates had a tendency
to diamond studs and no tendency to do enicient
work or see that II done by others. Ihe poll
ticians laughed at the idea that their recommenda-
tions would no. be considered and they bomonrded
his oiIicc 10 get places for their constituents That
lasted for some time. but finally he won. The labor
organizations passed resolutions against him. ana
anpcaled to the Mayor but without effect. He was
attacked on all sides. The Grand Army OF the Re-
public attacked him. and Mayor Strong received
lGi sets OF resolutions demanding his removal be-
cause OF alleged attack on the defenders OF the
country These resolutions came from every sec
ton OF tho country. The subordnates became
alarmed and feared that they would lose their
places but they were told 10 clean the streets
make them shine" and that would win. From
time TO time other troubles arose. but the mass OF
the people sustained him. and now even the poll
ticans were coming around 10 his side. one OF the
big Four OF Tammany Hall had even written
letter saying. IF win. you shall stay in do not
trouble yourself" Colonel waring explained how
he cleaned New-York's streets and how his force
OF 1850 men was distributed. He believed the work
OF his Department had proved that the best work
for municipalities could be done by total divorce
OF politics from such affairs. At the close OF his
address the applause loud and long continued.
The Rev. pr Albert G. Lawson. president Of the
read a paper explaining the object OF the league lie
praised Colonel Warnings work as an example ,o or
what could he done by one brave man, who did his
work regardless OF partisan clamor but with an eye
single 10 the public good
George A. DenIson, OF The Springfield Massl
Republican" not present. but his address on the
municipal condition of that city was read by the sec
retary According to Mr.. Denison. Springfield must
be an ideal place so far as the municipal govern
ment is concerned. Only the best men can get
Office Sometimes both parties unite In re-electng
men who have proved their fitness. The schools
are not In politics No defalcation OF public funds
has ever taken place and the citys affairs are ad-
ministered with economy.
Mr. Bonaparte said that the greatest benefit had
been conferred Baltimore and the reform cause
here by the meeting OF the convention. President
Carter then declared the convention adjourned until
the next annual meeting at place 10 be hereafter
determined