The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-25
CONVENTION or CITY OFFICIALS.

A convention is TO be held next week at
Columbus, O.. OF mayors and other officers
Of municipalities which viii differ bosh in
its constitution and IN is purpose from
most gatherings whose ostensibis object Is
reform In municipal government II viii
bs q gathering only Of tnoss wnc are d.
reetIy engaged in city government, and
the purpose Il not 20 consider theories, bat
conduionA II viii not attempt 70 lay
down nav lines 50 much as TO determins
how best 20 carry out IN detail systems
which now prevail There viii be no sug-
sest!on OF politics In the proceedings. but
experiences will De compared and difficult
ties be considered.
II Is reported that Is. go circulars have
been sent out TO parties interested In all
branches Of municipal science. and large
number OF cities have slgnifed their inten-
ton OF being represented The promoters
OF he movement suggest In advance that
those coming be prepared TO consider
wide range OF subjects. The list includes
the granting Of street railway, gas, cleo
trio and other franchises. and the control
OF and revenues derived from corporations
enjoying such special franchises; the col
lection and disposal OF garbage. which Is
a branch OF municipal work still in the
experimental stage; the relative merits Of
the various street paving materials. in
Guiding cedar block, brick. granite. medina
block, asphalt block. and the different
kinds OF sheet asphalt; the cleaning OF
streets. the municipal ownership OF light
ing plants. and the cost OF street lighting
under the contract system; the municipal
management OF public water supplies. and
the necessity for water filtration. fire and
police protection. parks and play grounds.
municipal finances. taxation and special
Assessments, etc.
This is a very ambitious programme TO
be covered within few days, and It will
take rare executive skill to marshall the
delegations so that each subject may re-
eeive consideration by appropriate commit
tees. Even IL the committee shall not be
productive OF unanlmity. or even of de-
termination OF the best methods TO be ap-
piled Ia each Of the masy branches to be
04A&A2SEAs tic mere Af1%AzS4AI ul the sun
jects cannot fall to be productive Of good.
There are some general principles which
apply to all municipalities. but the popula-
ton and the local conditions must always
TO a great extent govern the system to be
adopted.
In the state OF Washington municipalities
are classified on the theory that scheme
of government which would be appropriate
ia large cts would not be equally service
able IN small town. This follows the
best experience OF older states. and has
been fairly successful. Nevertheless. a
comparison Of methods cannot faH 20 be
vnluNe 20 those officials who take more
than perfunctory interest IN their duties
such 4 convention emphasizes the grow
Ing conviction that municipal government
s. a matter OF business and should be kept
as much as possible from the influence OF
partisan politics. and particularly that the
choice Of officials should not be controlled
by influences which are essential in state
and national affairs