Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-29
The Convention of Mayors.

That there is general awakening in this
country to the importance Of good govern
ment in the cities is attested by tine gath
ering, at Columbus. Ohio. of the mayors
and councilmen of some of the largest and
most important communities in the United
States. This project was suggested by citi-
Zens who were interested in improving mu-
sicipal conditions. 1t seemed, at first. some
what Utopian, though there is no good rea-
sen why the rulers Of the cities should not
gather together and confer just as do the
politicians, the school teachers ard the
ministers of various denominations. But
the response to the call for delegates has
been answered so generally as to lrad to
the belief that another year will find the
annual convention of mayors a fixed insti-
tuition. Much good may flow from such an
enterprise The present tendency seems to
be to divorce municipal management from
Political letters as far as possible. This is
not accomplished as generally as the best
interests of citizens and taxpayers de-
mana, but it is a refreshing sign of the
times that non-partisan movements are be-
coming so frequent as to puzzle the pro-
fessioaal place-holders and the politicians.
The city's best interest lies In the absolute
divorce of it's administration from political
conditions Washington's experience DEM
onstrates the benefits to be derived from
approximation to such state of affairs
The abuse of public place for party pur-
poses can never operate to the benefit of
the community. The march toward munich
pal management of the common necessities
of modern life is surely progressing, even
though it is checked somewhat by the in
PREVENTION of political obstacles. Philadei-
M iC NIL Of f1n Ind,
progress afforded by the spoils system that
is there in vogue. The city possesses fine
gas-making and distributing plant, by
which the people obtain cheap iliumnant
and yet at rate that should provide a
rich revenue to the city. So badly has this
enterprise been managed, through the
Vaccinations of the politicians who rule
the municipality. that propositions for its
lease are now being seriously entertained
by those who originally advocated the pro-
ject of city ownership.
The Columbus convention is discussing a
variety Of topics associated with city man.
agement- Street lighting, traction fran
Crises, municipal ownership in general
sewer systems, water supply, police admin
istratlon, and dozens of similar subjects
are being taken up with .,arnestness and
skill, and the debates on them thus far in
dicate that in many of the cities the public
Affairs are In the hands of .nen who closely
study general as well as local conditions
and strive to keep fully abreast of the
times. The interchange of views and ex-
penences must result ben eiicially to the
communities thus represented at the con-
vention, and it is fortunate that the pro-
1ectors of the gathering extended it's scope
so as to include the members of the coun-
CHS. whose direct acquaintance with the
latest phases of municipal problems is
needed to give full force to whatever ad-
vsnced and wholesome ideas NAV he
brought forward by the mayors. These
conventions may eventually prove of great
Vaiue as national municipal clearing
houses.