The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-01
HICBED D A STAR
Is the Wagon of the National
Municipal League.
STRIVING FOR THE IDEAL
Nothing Short of Absolute
Perfection Goes.
STRIVING FOR THE IDEAL

Indianapolis, Ind, Nov. 3o.-The sixth
conference of the National League began
this afternoon in the assembly rooms OF
the Commercial club. This is the most
important meeting of the league since the
organization has been formed. Its pur-
pose is to discuss what it regards as the
first essential of general municipal reform
an ideal, or mode, system of governs
ment. The task of preparing such sys-
tenn was undertaken by the organization
at its meeting in Louisville in May, 1897.
A committee of seven was appointed and
charged with the task, without restriction
as TO time or instruction as TO details.
The committee was charged with the
duty of preparing essential principles
and working plan or system, consistent
with American industrial and political
conditions.
The results of this work. which has been
constant for eighteen months, are set of
general state constitution amendments
and a municipal corporation act which the
committee believes viii accomplish all
that is sought.
This morning there were many arrivals
of delegates TO the conference. The or
ganization is representative of many Mu-
nicipal leagues Christian Government
leagues. Good Citizenship leagues and the
like all over the country. State orsaniza-
tons are represented.
Among the delegates attending the con-
ference are many who are distinguished as
students Of political economy and who are
known as advocates of new systems of
municipal government. The organization
is comprehensive of the various elements,
from the radical to the conservative. The
conservative element is largely in control
at present.
Charles Richardson, vice president of the
league, is presiding, in the absence of
President Carter of New York.
The delegates were welcomd by Gov
ernor Mount and Mayor Taggart.
THE ADVANCE MOVEMENT
At today's session the secretary, Mr..
Clinton Rogers Woodruff, of Philadelphia,
read his annual report, the subject of
which was 1.-The Advance Movement for
Municipal Reform He said in part:
IF one were disposed to be pessmistic
concerning the municipal progress in our
American cities, after a consideration of
the prevailing conditions in great cities
like New York, Philadelphia and Chicago,
he would only have to look at the other
side of the picture to be convinced that
the situation is not hopeless by any means,
but full of suspicious augury. Too fire.
quent contemplation of the evils of mu-
nicipal life is apt to obscure the substan-
tial progress attained by the movement
for better city government, which is
steadily becoming stronger and more in
fuential each succeeding year.
''In numerous localities the demand for
better city government has been mani
tested through the regular parties and Sc
cured the nomination of a more competent
and intelligent lot of municipal officials.
Certain definite ends are to be striven
for where they do not already prevail:
% A separation of local from state and
national elections; (2) a reduction in the
number OF elective offices; 90 the abolition
of the straight party ticket in the official |
ballot and the adoption of the Massachu- |
sets system; a. the rescue Of the election |
machinery from the hands Of the corrupt |
and inefficient. by the election OF honest !
and competent men to be election officers. |
THE movement for charter reform |
grows apace. Our cities are awakening |
to the necessity of simplifying and codi- |
flying the Caws under which they are gov |
erned. as we'll as the vital necessity OF |
adapting them to changed conditions. |
American cities are growing so rapidly, |
not only in numbers and territory, but in |
the direction of a general extension of |
municipal powers and functions, that the |
present charters are in many instances |
antiquated and lily adapted to modern |
conditions. Then again, the charter OF |
many city is confusion worse confound- |
ed II does not represent a simple. con- /
else statement of fundamental powers like |
the constitution OF a state. with ample 1
latitude as TO details and ig--dentals as
occasion may require; but rather a laby- /
rinth OF conflicting legislative intention |
and enactment beyond the intelligent COM /
prehension of anyone.
"A healthy sign of the development Of
the reform movement is to be noted in the /
fact that. in common with the demand for
better laws, is an equally strong demand
for better officials 70 administer both the
old and the new laws.
There has been no abatement OF in
terest in civil service reform. The effort
To secure the adoption of the mrit system
in the administration of our municipal
affairs is in form and essence a part. and
a fundamental important part. Of the
for charter reform. Where It
has been Incorporated it has succeeded so
well as TO lead TO frequent and desperate
assaults upon it by the machine; and
where there has been a desire expressed
for is adoption i; has been vigorously
by the spokesman.
II is matter of profound import and
suspicious sugury that there are 50 many
groups Of men ana women seeking in
various ways TO improve municipal condi-
lions. that the mayors and Officials Of our
cities are bestirring themselves as never
before % meet the demand for better CITY
government; that from the pulpit and the