The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-06
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE HELD AT
LOUISVILLE.
GOOD CITY GOVERNMENT.
A VARIETY OF METHODS FOR IT'S
ADVANCEMENT UNDER CON-
SHERATON.
SUMMARY OF YEARS PROGRESS
Presented in the Address of the Sec
rotary, Clinton Rogers Wood
ruff, of Philadelphia.

LOUISVILLE, KY, May 5.-The thlru
annual meeting of the National Munlc-
ipal league, which is being held in con-
junction with the fifth session OF the
Louisville Good City Government club,
began it's first session at the Excnange
hall, board of trade, this afternoon.
Mayor George D. Todd welcomed the
visiting delegates. Vice President Rich
ardson, Of Philadelphia, responded on
behalf of President Garter, who was
delayed. The most important paper OF
hesafternoon was presented by Score
otary Woodruff, who gave a summary
of the progress during the year.
In speaking of the work in the West
Mr.. Woodruff said: y ss rt,,s,
In the Western states the most Interesting
event has been the recent election in Chi
cago. This has been variously regarded
by the friends of good government, some
maintaining that it was a decisive defeat for
the good government forces. Others main
tain that there certain substantial gains
made. At first blush it did seem that the
victory Of Mayor Harrison, who had gen.
orally been regarded as unfriendly to civil
service reform, was decided set back for the
cause, but his statements since his election
Grafton of Chicago has adopted resolutions
indorsing his position. The municipal voters
league took a prominent part in the cam
pagn. Of the thirty-four aldermen retiring
P>SN 49,
their record twenty EIGHT Of these only ten
succeeded N securing a denomination, and
two ran upon Independent tickets. Of the
twelve named who ran as candidates, only
two were elected. and one other succeeded
in securing certificate of election, but his
seat was contested. OF the new members
elected, twenty stand pledged in writing TO
support the principles of the municipal vot-
erS league
The Municipal Reform League of Duluth,
Mimi, elected five out of the eight alder
The Civic Federation Of Denver We
successful in securing the election of the
taxpayers ticket, for which it was largely
responsible. by large majority. The wom-
en-, who contributed largely to this by their
votes and influence, not unfairly claim large
share of credit for this most satisfactory out
come and maintain that it demonstrates the
ACCESSIBILITY of enfranchis!ng women. Of the
renewed energy of the Louisville Good Gov
eminent club in pressing for the indictment
and conviction of derelect public officials, I
need not more than refer to at this time, and
In this place.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: James G. Garter,
New York, president; Charles Richard
son, Philadelphia, first vice president;
Samuel +. Capen, Boston, second vice
president; Thomas N. Strong, Portland
Ore, third vice president; H. Dickson
Burns, New Orleans, fourth vice presi-
dent; Edmund J. James, Chicago, fifth
vice president; Clinton Rogers, Wood
ruff, Philadelphia, secretary; Baorge
o. Durham, Jr., Philadelphia, treas
urer Executive committee: Charles
j. Bonaparte, Baltimore; William G..
Lowe, Brooklyn: Frank N. Hartwell,
Louisville; George W. Guthrie, Pitts
burg; George w Ochs, Chattanooga,
Harry A. Garfield, Cleveland. H. Her
bert Welsh, Philadelphia: IF. LatSidden.
Washington,; Dudley ibbets,7 Troy; j.
A. Miller, Providence; J. N. ButYeff, Mil
Waukee. 5"I IL
slider a resolution offered by Horace
Deming, of New York, asking the APP
pointment of a committee of ten to re-
port on the feasibility of municipal
programme putting into practical
operation the principles of the league.
The evening session was made inter-
esting by talks from William p Horn
blower and Horace E. Dening, Of New
York, and Franklin MacVeagh, of Chi
cago, on the progress Of reform in their
respective cities. Mr.. MacVeagh's sub
ject was ''The Business Man in Poll
ties" He said that the popular idea
that the practical business man is es-
sential to the proper conduct of mu-
n1c1pal affairs, was rapidly giving way
to the belief that the true solution Of
the problem of city government is the
merit system, the building up of an
efficient class Of public servants whom
hold their positions through merit
alone. Great progress in this direction
he said had been made in Chicago and
other cities. Mr.. Hornblower devoted
most of his time to a review of the sit
uation in Greater New York.