New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-07
PAPERS ON MUNICIPAL REFORM.
SECOND DAYS SESSION OF THE NATIONAL
LEAGUE At LOUISVILLE

Louisville. May s-The second days session OF the
National Municipal League was devoted mainly to
the reading of papers on topics which timely.
The attendance is fully to the expectation OF the
leaders in the reform movement and the greatest
interest is being manifested
PROFESSOR Frank j. Goodnow. of Columbia Uni
versity read the first paper of the meeting on the
powers OF Municipal Corporation" He handled
the subject from theoretical historical and ana
yucal standpoint He compared the different cities
OF this country with each other. and showed diff
ferences between these cities and foreign cities
Next came the reading Of a valuable paper. Tho
Exclusion of Partisan Politics from Municipal AZ
fairs; the Democratic European Method" This ex-
ceslent paper was read by Frank NJ LOOMS. OF BUY
falo. Mr.. Looms said in part:
1t is believed and is here asserted that our bad
Guy government, bad as compared win lnat vi
hhmroPcan cities Is due TO an insttnu0m orisn
ana which, so far known has no supstanutai
which alone enables the party boss to establish and
Perpetuate partisan government ana witout t Wnon
which more than all else defeats the repeated and
continued efforts of patriotic citizens 10 eject inde-
pendent tckets-n a word. the continued partisan
control and consequent disagreement OF our cities
due that peculiarly American institution the
The tyranny Of the party caucus has long been L.,
dependent political action All Of us, Of those at
least who have been engaged in efforts to rescue
moi for the caucus we Could have accomplished
what oftentimes has been found impossible we
countered has been the artificial division of the
mass OF the voters on party lines. Yet one great
viz. that so long as the caucus continues to be
| the usual and recognized method of making nomi..
nations. just lOng will the partisan division OF
voters continue and just long will we be con-
froned with the problem as to now na sd ,U p
their personal merits Irrespective OF ther
from State and National elections supplemented
by the work of the Good Government clubs ana
kindred independent non-partisan ORGANIZATIONS,
has distinct tendency 10 minimize partisan pits
in municipal elections But IL mghr ro n does
not 90 10 the root of the evil In fact, it may well
be doubted whether the disease OF
ing the environment which breeds the germ OF con-
# asked as citizen of New-YOrk what ! would 4
| substitute for the caucus system in that STATE l
Mould answer oT to make any
further change, except to break down few more
lions then be made? The answer is simpe. ana can
be made without qualification or hesl;anfSSc al
ready provided in the New-York statute for placing
INDEPENDENT. non-partisan tickets before me pe4Pe,
by certaia number OF electors the number pre- pre-
| feraby few 10 be fixed by statute and upon me
wond be placed on the ofcial ballot without fur
ne forma! In other words the %s as e elect tne
| In England. all know, since the puphcauon
of DR. Shaws interesting books the executive and and
| combined in council. after the pattern OF me
| British Parliament Each member Of the council
is elected from a separate ward, though not neces-
sarily a resident thereof. with us, ana any elght
| electors of the ward privileged 10 nominate a
candidate for councilman by filing petition prop
| erly subscribed AT the ensuing election, as /
understand 1t, the candidate for Councilman Is the
only candidate before the people for their SURFACES
At all events, there Is no such multiplicity OF elec,
tive offices interfere with afording the utmost
| freedom to the electors Of nominating az many
candidates as they will for the ONCE OF Council
| man. The proof of this may be found IN the ract
that no difficulty has been encountered the coun-
| ell when elected governs by committees each COM
| mttee operating its department through slnse
appointed executive. thus nsurinR as DeneVe, all
| needed concentration of responsibility ana execu,
| tive efficiency The Mayor elected by the council
seems to be little more than its presiding ofncer
| In the absence OF Professor Leo S. Rowe. OF the
University OF Pennsylvania. his paper upon ATer-
| can Political Ideas and Institutions in Their Rela-
| lions 10 the Conditions Of City Life. was read oy
| Professor H. E. Bornn, of Cleveland.
| The last paper on the programme was that OF Dr.
| Edmund j. James of the University OF Chicago
| who read Home Rule IN American Cities"
This afternoon a reception was rendered the wives
| of the visiting delegates by the Woman's Club
The league will finish its business session to-
morrow morning and tomorrow night the annual
BANQUET will be given at the Gait House.