The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-29
CONVENTION OF MAYORS
COUNCILMEN, CITY CLERKS AND 9TH
ER MUNICIPAL OFFICERS.
Delegates Welcomed to Columbus by
ing and Other Topics Discussed.

COLUMBUS, o., Sept 2S.-The first an
nual conference of mayors and councilmen
of the United States, Canada and Mexico
was called to order at II o'clock this morn
ing by Mayor Black, of this city. He closed
by introducing Governor Bushnell of Ohio,
who delivered the address of welcome.
Mayor Black next presented Mayor c. A.
Collier, of Atlanta, Ca, who responded for
the visitors in a speech glowing with senti-
ments of patriotism, one presenting the i'm
portance of good municipal government with
great force and eloquence.
Mayor Black was made chairman of the
convention and Editor Gordon, of City Gov
eminent, secretary. These officers are to
serve only during the sessions of the con-
vention prior to. the formation of a perma-
nent organization on the closing day. A reso-
luton for the appointment of a committee
or five to report plan of organization and
names of officers for the first year disclosed
the existence of two factions among the
delegates - one in favor of proceeding to
business without any report from a COM
mlttee on credentials, the other insisting
that the meeting could not proceed until an
accredited roll Of delegates had been ap.
proved by vote of those present and claim
ing to be delegates. A lively debate ensued
ana the matter was finally compromised by
an agreement that the chairman of each del
egatlon report at once to the secretary of
the convention that any municipal officer
Vouched for by a chairman be admitted as
a delegate, and that the chairman of the
convention appoint the committee On or
ganlzation from the roll as there made up
The original call for this conference was
addressed to mayors and councilmen only
put the promoters of the movement, who
asked for copy of the call, did not pro-
duce 1t, and this mornings action left the
gates or the convention wide open for DO
hcemen, tiremen city clerks ana ward con-
stables II chairman of a delegation
Vouched for them as city officials" A re-
cess was then taken.
AT the afternoon session there was no
reference made by the chairman or the Sec
rotary to the official roll call as made IN
from the reports of delegation chairmen.
ana as no request for it came from the
moor, the convention continued its business
without any definite information as to who
constituted fCs membership. Chairman
Black announced the following as the COM
mlttee to formulate plan of permanent. or
ganization: Mayors McVicar, of Des
MONIES, la; Pratt, of Minneapolis, Mimi.
Collyer, OF Atlanta; Hastings, of Niagara
Fails. and Councilman Walker of Trenton
n. j. This committee is to report not later
than Wednesday night. 1t is looked upon al
geographically and otherwise, and the dele
gates expect great deal from it in the way
of practical suggestions.
careful count made at the afternoon
session disclosed the presence of twenty
seven men wearing the official badges of
mayors and tifty-one men and women with
those of councilmen. The number of prop
erly accredited delegates is probably not far
from one hundred. AS yet New York city
Chicago, Brooklyn. Philadelphia, Boston,
st. Louis and other cities of that class are
without representation here.
Joseph W. Slower, Of New York, occupied
forty minutes of the time of the convention
in the reading Of a paper on Photographic
Systems for the Faciltation of Fire and
Police Service 1t was largely technical in
character. William Brophy. chief electro
clan Of the city of Boston, was on the pro-
gramme for a paper on Modern Construc-
ton and Maintenance of Electric Wires and
Their Supervision by municipalities. but
he was unable to be present and a substi-
tute read the paper There was no discus
sion of either papers and at 1 o'clock the
convention adjourned till p. m.
AT the night session Henry Hopkins, of
New Haven. Conn. who is secretary of the
association. read a paper on THE Proper
Lighting of City Streets" Mayor McVicar
of Des Moines. followed with a prepared
paper on Street Lighting by Contract and
by Municipal Ownership