The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-01

without risk of disclosure or direct response
bility. There is nothing more worthy OF
careful study and consideration by the re-
former than the skill and ingenuity with
which political machinery and municipal
government have been devised to confuse
the average citizen and to enaoie the .prac-
tical politician and corruptonist to maintain
himself in control long after a popular YER
dict has been rendered against him.
"A healthy sign Of the development OF the
reform movement is to be noted in the fact
that in common with the demand for bet
ter laws, is an equally strong demand for
better officials to administer both the old
and new laws If the movement were con-
fined to an effort to secure needed legisla-
ton 1t would fall far short of effecting its
end. We can not too frequently or too
strongly urge the necessity of having good
laws and good men TO administer them, but
we must not stop here; we must go step
sentiment that will be satisfied with nothing
short of the best both as to laws and as to
officials.
ments, local and national, serve to keep the
municipal problem and its Importance TO
the fore They quicken public interest in
municipal affairs BY an insistence upon
high standards of efficiency and the main
tenance of high ideals they appreciably i'm
prove municipal conditions and create
sounder and more efficient public sentiment,
which, sooner or later, will work out per
manent and satisfactory soiution OF the
problem Of American municipal govern
ment.
TT is a matter of profound import and
auspicious augury that there are so many
groups of men and women seeking in vari-
Gus ways to improve municipal conditions;
that the mayors and officials of our cities
are bestirring themselves as never before
to meet the demand for better city gov
ernment; that from the pulpit and the coll
lege chair, from the forum and the press
there is now preached doctrine of no un-
certain sound as to the obligations OF
municipal citizenship; that men and women
are coming to recognize that upon them
dpren g the salvation of modern nlu
nicipal life; that no charter, no statute, no
organization however carefully ana IN
want of a deep, intelligent, abiding interest
and participating in public affairs
A MODEL CITY CHARTER.
At the conference of the National Munich
pal League in Louisville, last year, it was
resolved that the executive committee ap-
point a committee to report on the feasibil-
ity of a municipal programme which will
embody the essential principles that must
underlie successful municipal government,
and which shall also set forth working
plan consistent with American industrial
and political conditions for putting such
principles into practical operation" The
committee, consisting of Horace e. DEM
ms, Frank j.. Goodnow, Charles Richard
son, George w. Guthrie, Albert Shaw, Leo
s. Rowes and Clinton Rogers Woodruff, sub
mitted a lengthy printed report of tifty-two
pages yesterday afternoon The report en-
braces a model form of city charter The
report was read by George w. Guthrie, OF
PtrtSburG. 1t contained a proposed conStl-
tutional amendment treating of four dis
tinct classes of subjects-the relation of the
municipality to the state, the powers or the
municipality, the procedure in the exercise
of municipal functions, the electoral fran
chise and the application of the merit
principle to the administrative service. The
design the committee stated, was to give
the municipality more definite place in our
political system than ii at present enjoys;
to give il that freedom of action which is
the necessary accompaniment OF growth and
expansion and to place within its power
the determination OF local policy whenever
such policy is not inconsistent with the gem
eral welfare of the state.
The committee also submitted a proposed
municipal corporation act, under the pro-
visions of which it would be possible for
cities large or small, to adopt form OF
organization suited to their need.
George Burren, jr., of Philadelphia, treas
urer of the league submitted report of
the financial condition, showing that the
receipts have been SO, 26133 the expenditures
$2,S75.61, leaving a balance on hand OF SSS5.72.
Secretary Woodruff made a statement con-
| cerning the routine work of the conference.
Following is a list Of delegates who are
here to attend the meeting of the league:
New York Club-Horace f. Deming and
Ohio Municipal Code Commission-D. F.
| Pugh and Edward Kibler.
| Municipal League of Philadelphia-Mr:
| and Mrs. George Burnham, jr., Mr.. and
| Mrs. Charles Richardson, DR.. l.. >. Rowe
and Mr. Clinton Rogers Woodruff
Civic League, Dayton, O.-Willard Bar
Municipal League of Pittsburg-G George
w. Guthrie, James T. Hudson, editor Of the
Dispatch, Capt. j. G: Irish, David H. Bay
ard and Oliver McClintock.
Civic Club, Pittsburgh; H. smith.
Municipal League of Milwaukee-John A..
Butler and Charles q. Monroe.
London, England-John W. Martin.
Civic Federation, Chicago-Ralph M.
Marion. Ind-W. L. Golding, mayor.
Iowa ColIege-Prof. George D. Heron.
| Good Government Club, Louisville Ky
| Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Hartwell, Edward j.
| McDermott and Lafon Alien
Richmond, Ind.-William Dudley Foulke
aIs Boston n Municipal League-samuel B.
oity Club, New York-Dr Albert Shaw,
Horace E. Deming and Prof. Frank j..
Cincinnati, O.-Rt Rev. B. o. Vincent.
D. d.
Huntington, w. Va-W. F. Hite.
| WASHINGTON. d. C.-Alien r. Foote
| Civic Club of Philadelpha-Mrs George
Burnham, jr., Mrs. Charles Richardson and
Mrs. Clinton Rogers Woodruff.
| Kansas City, Mo.-Clarence S. Palmer.
| Boston. Mass.-Josah Quincy mayor.
Minneapolis Charter Commission-N. F.
Citizens Association of Cleveland-Delos
Toledo, O.-Samuel M. Jones.
National Civil-service Reform Associa-
tion-Lucius b. Swift and Charles Richard
| son, Philadelphia.
League of American Muncipalities-W.
F. Hite vice president, and Il. +. Gilkeson,
| secretary, New York.
| Citizens Union of Brooklyn-T. DE Quincy
| Tully.
| Evansville Business Mems Association
G. j. Murphy
Nashville Chamber of Commercial. " S.
| Lindsey.
Dubuque Ia.-William Graham.
Syracuse University, N. Y.-Prof. John r.
| Commons.
AT THE PROPYLAEUM.
Reception to Delegates at Night Meet