The herald., 1897-02-04
CITY REFORMERS REPORT
Meeting Of the Better City Government
League
A Special Committee Presents an Inter-
esting Review Of Past Work and
Some Valuable Suggestions.

the League for Better City Government
was held in the league rooms last night.
The attendance was large and many
matters of Importance to the city were
discussed.
The special committee appointed to
devise a plan for the future work Of the
league presented an interesting report
from which the following are extracts:
The idea of the league and its general
plan of work proved popular from the
beginning and about 1000 citizens Joined
the main organization and subsequently
5000 more allied themselves with the va
rious ward clubs 1t was the intention
of the originators of the league that a
convention of delegates should be held
prior to the conventions of the old par
ties, and an Independent tickst should
be nominated-a non-partisan ticket
from which the old parties might take
whatever material they found desirable.
This plan was. however, defeated by the
unusually early date Of the regular par
ty conventions and the league was
forced into the position Of a critic pass
ing upon the nominations already made.
1t accepted the work, however. with
good grace, and the result Of the election
showed direct results quite as great as
the best friend of the movement could
have hoped. Every man endorsed by
the league, whether for a city or ward
office, was elected excepting one, and he
was defeated by only eight votes-a Re
publican in a strongly Democratic ward.
Six independent nominations were made
of which two were elected.
The general opinion prevailing in the
community, as shown by the unanimous
utterances of the press and Of the busi-
ness men Of the city, credited tie league
with a great deal of influence in effecting
good nominations and elec.ing desirable
men to office. In short the work of the
league, as far as it concerned the mu-
nicipal election, was a decided success,
and the organization bids fair to be
power in the future affairs of the city.
The effort of the league to secure char
ter reform was not SO successful A
document was drafted along the lines
of municipal usage now in vogue in east
ern and European cities. 1t was gal
lantly supported by the newspapers Of
the city, whose editors have shown
themselves to be true friends to the
cause of good government and defenders
of the city's best interests. A combina-
ton of the worst political elements OF
the city was effected against the charter
and aided by some good citizens who.
section Of the document, therefore op-
posed it all.
1t was perhaps not to be expected that
a plan involving such radical changes
in the municipal order could be put
through at the first trial A great oeal
has been accomplished in the education
of the people, and much more remains
to be done. The league is here not for
one city campaign, nor for one enort
only in behalf of charter reform, but for
many years, let US hope, of earnest
work.
With regard to the future effort of the
league, especially during the ensuing
wear. your committee would advise tnat
it be put forth chiefly in the Following
lines:
First-To agitate by all legitimate
means for a more economical and a
more efficient city government.
Second-To establish and conduct q
bureau of complaint where anyone VINO
has a legitimate grievance against the
city authorities can file In writing 1uii
statement of the same and an investiga-
t,op can be had and a report made pub
lie.
Third-To note the work done by all
office holders, commencing and assist
ing those who faithfully perform their
duties to the public and visiting with
emphatic condemnation those who fail
TO 90 SO.
Fourth-To take up again the effort
for charter reform, framing, with the
advice and assistance of other public
organizations and of all disinterested
and public spirited citizens, document
which shall come as near as possible to
meeting the views of the majority of our
people, but which shall contain the
foundation principles of correct munich
pal government, viz, responsibility m
office. civil service reform and a busi-
ness administration of the ctty's affairs.
The secretary made q complete f1nan-
cial report of the business of the league
from it's beginning up to date, which
showed a satisfactory balance on hand
with the treasurer with which to carry
on the work until the reorganization
which is to be effected as soon as the
committees appointed for the purpose
can make their reports.
President S. B. Lewis appointed
,Messrs. O. T. johnson, j. M. Johnston
and j. F. Sartori a committee to exam
inc and pass upon the accounts and
vouchers of the secretary.
Messrs. H. T. Lee, J. H. Shankland
and c. D. Willard were appointed a COM
mittee on permanent organization, by
laws and Incorporation.
Messrs. j. r. Newberry, D. M. Nc
Garry and w. D. WooIwine were ap-
pointed a committee to arrange for
general meeting of the central league to
be held at an early date, when the mat
ter of the election of officers and general
reorganization of the league on a per-
ton.