Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-29
FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF
MAYORS AND CouNcrLMEN.
TELEGRAPH SYSTEMS AID LIGHTING.
These the subjects Discussed Yes
,crdn,-A Number OF Ladies' Among
the Delegates 10 the Convention
Municipal Patriotism.

Black Of this city, about 100 regularly
accredited delegates being present. in
the auditorium. The Mayors opening
remarks were brief and formal and he
closed by introducing Governor Asa $.
Bushnell. Of Ohio. who delivered an ad-
dress OF welcome
At the close OF the Governors well
come Mayor Black presented Mayor c.
a. Collier, OF Atlanta. Ga, who respond
ga for the visitors in a speech glowing
with sentiments Of patriotism. and pre-
scnting tho importance OF good munich
pal government with force and elo-
ouence. lie complimented Ohio upon
the aid that she extended TO Atlanta at
the time of the first cotton exposition
and closed with a feeling tribute TO the
common love Of country that had called
the delegates together. Mayor Golfers
address was received with enthusiastic
applause.
Mayor Black was made chairman Of
the convention. and Editor Gordon, Of
the City Government. secretary. These
officers are to serve only during the ses-
formation of a permanent organization,
ou the closing day.
a resolution for the appointment OF
committee of five 10 formulate a plan
Of ORGANIZATION and select officers for
the first year disclosed the existence Of
two factions among the delegates-one
in favor Of proceeding to business with
out any report from the Committee on
Credentials. the other insisting that the
meeting coul@ not proceed until an ac-
credited roll Of delegates had been APP
proved by vote Of those present and
claiming 10 be delegates.
lively debate ensued, and the matter
was finally compromised by an agreement
that the chairman of each delegation
report at once to the secretary of
The convention; that aLy municipal Off
cial Vouchod for by a chairman be ad-
mitted as "a delegate. and that the chair
man Of the convention appoint the Com
mittee on Organization from the roll as
then made up. The original call for
this conference was addressed 10 mayors
and counciimen only. but the promoters
of the movement, when asked for a copy
OF the call. did not produce it. and this
mornings action leaves the gates Of the
convention wide open for policemen,
nremen city clerks. and ward consta-
blcs. if only the chairman of a delega-
ton vouchcs for them as city officials"
CONFUSION AS TO MEMBERSHIP
AT noon the convention adjourned till
2 =. NJ. IL was nearly 3 O'Clock when
Chairman Black called the meeting to
order this afternoon. There was no re-
ference made by the chairman or by the
secretary 20 the official roll as made up
from the reports of delegation chairmen,
and as no request for ii came from the
floor. the convention continued its busi-
ness without any definite information
as to who constitute IT'S membership.
Chairman Black announced the follow
ing as the committee TO formulate a
plan of permanent organization: Mayors
McNickar. of Des Moines. Ia; Pratt. of
Minneapolis Mimi; Collier. of Atlanta,
Ga. and Hastings, Of Niagara Falls. y.
y, and Councilman Walker. of Trenton,
n. J. This committee is to report not
later than Wednesday night 1t is
looked upon as fairly representative of
the attendance. Geographically and
otherwise. and the delegates expect d
great deal from IL in the way Of practi-
cal suggestion.
A careful count made at the afternoon
session disclosed the presence Of twenty
seven men wearing the official badges of
mayors, and hfty-Onc men and women
WIN Ahprt OF tUuINlliltH ne lullbtl
of properly accredited delegates is not
far from POO yet Chicago, Brooklyn. |
Philadelphia. Boston, St. Louis. and |
other cities of that class are without rep |
TesentatiOn here.
TELEGRAPH SYSTEMS
Joseph w Stover. of New York, occu-
pied forty minutes in the reading of a |
paper on Photographic Systems Tor the
of Fire and Police Service
1t was largely technical I'm character.
William Brophy. chief electrician OF the
rity of Boston was on the programme for
n paper ON Modern Construction and
of Electric Wires and Their
by Municipalities" but he
was unable to be present and substi-
lute read the paper.
There was no discussion Of either paper,
and at o'clock the convention adjourned
I'LL Il. NJ.
STREET LIGHTING.
Chairman Black, in his opening remarks
AZ to-nights session. made reference 10
Ihe importance of street lighting in cities
and called attention TO the significance
and influence of the National Street
Lighting Association, now In session here.
I'm closing he introduced Henry Hopkins,
1f New Haven, Conn, who is secretary
Df the association. He read paper on
'The Proper Lighting of city Streets
he chief point OF which was an analysis
of why the cost of public lighting is in
,reasing while the cost per light is de-
,reasing. These he gave as the eXpan-
sion of the populated area of cities. the
fact that light decreases crime the APP
olication OF light 10 rapid street transit
the demand for improved service in old
oco1{tiea and the pursliit Of mercantile ]
and professional duties at night
The National Street-Iighting Associa-
ion has thrty-eight delegates here. but
10 far its deliberations have possessed no
measure Of public interest
Mayor McNickar. Of Des Moines, Ia.
followed with paper on street lighting
,y contract and by municipal ownership. |
He was listened 10 with the closest at
ention throughout. and at the close OF
lis address he invited opinions from his
auditors. lie confessed. however. that
ne was not conversant with all the facts
md problems bearing upon municipal
NUMBER OF DELEGATES. 1875.
The Official roster Of the conference. as
ar as completed tonight. contains 1876
iames but many of the delegates are
rom Columbus and other nearby Ohio 6
titles. Outside OF Ohio the principal cities
epresented are Minneapolis Denver ST.
PAUL Tampa Fla). Joliet Qn). New
avCn Atlanta. Birmingham. Des Moincs,
'eoria, Pawtucket Detroit Evansville.
Macon. Baltimore. Fargo and Whining
on Del The last-named has twenty {
wo representatives, here. Peoria has six
cen. and Minneapolis ten.
delegate from Dayton O.. gave :
'amblfug and rather incOherent talk ON |