Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-07
DELAWARE STATE DEIAwA


municipal affairs9 We may not hear Of
them century hence because they may
have performed their function and gone
the way of other good and useful means
to AN end, but at this time they indi-
cate the change taking place in ouss
development-the change in emphasis.
| do not propose to indulge In pro-
| phecy. | am not SO gifted with fore
sight as to be able TO peer into the
future and read its message. l can only
| possible result Of present tendencies
based upon study Of present and past
developments. have already Indi-
Gated what believe will be the greatest
change. that from extensive to inten-
siye growth and development and with
this will come great amelioration of
many of the present day evils.
The instinct for territorial expansion
satisfies, the opportunity for expansion
will be terminated, the various world
powers and their possessions will tend
more and more to assume condition
Of permanent equilibrium. Great
ornaments and vast armies will be-
come less and loss necessary. Economic
causes plus political necessity plus
moral growth will gradually result in
the substitution OF mediation, arbitra-
tion and Cancellation for warfare and
bloodshed. Already the beginning of
this substitution is at hand. We have
the Argentine-It treaty providing
for the submission Of practically every
difficulty to arbitration. The Gear s
Conference has but recently adjourned
and the substantial results of its delib-
erations are familiar
The accomplishment of these ends
will result in transfer of political
energy and ability. Constructive
craftsmanship liberated from con-
sideration of expansion and coloni-
cation will be free to devote itself to
the great questions of internal improve.
ment. Our municipalities will CORE
spondingly benefit and will have at
their command that genius and that
ability which seems to be chief char
acteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race, but
Il which hitherto has been absorbed by
national and international activities.
Civil Service reform, which lies at
the very foundation OF efficient govern
ment will become an accomplished fact
from the very necessity of things. A
century since there was no need for it
because the number of Offices was so
small and the interests involved prac-
tically so limited. A century hence the
number of offices will be SO great and
the interests SO vast, that it will be an
impossibiity to administer them upon
any other basis. Public opinion on
fundamental political questions changes
slowly but already we see evidences
that there is a growing resentment to
the use of public office to pay political
debts. The business instinct OF the
people is slowly but surely asserting
itself to the same end. There is a
growing appreciation of the fact that
an electrical bureau or an engineering
bureau or survey bureau can not be
successfully and efficiently conducted
on sroils basis.
Municipal reform is no new thing
nor will it ever grow old though ii
may change the direction OF its actiyi.
ties. The preambles OF the charter
granted to Philadelphia on March 18th,
1883, read thus:
"Whereas the administration of gov
eminent in the city OF Philadelphia is
in its present form inadequate TO the
suppression of vice and immortality, to
the advancement of the public health
and order, and to the promotion OF
trade, industry and happiness; and in
order to provide against the evils occa-
stoned thereby, it is necessary to invest
the inhabitants thereof with more
speedy, vigorous and effective powers
Of government, than are at present es-
tablished. ** Be it enacted,
&C." No one doubts or de-
MES that municipal reform is. today a
great and pressing problem, constantly
attracting more and more attention and
1 L fas. t. IS ,slt
years to become dominating one.
are now striving for---Civil Service re.
form, the elimination of State and
national politics from the considera-
ton of municipal affairs, their conduct
upon enlightened business principles,
the extension of educational facili-
ties--municipal reform will choose
other objects for its end, otherwise
America would not be true to Its
Anglo Saxon heritage. One reform
achieved, then the Anglo-Saxon presses
forward to another. He would not be
ture to his instinct II he did not. We
may not, and for one believe we will
not be discussing Civil Service reform,
ballot reform, municipal ownership a
century hence; nor will National
Municipal League perhaps be needed
to preach the doctrine of an aroused
civic consciousness, These will be ac-
complished facts, if we may Judge Of
! the future by the past and present--bui
none of these things will como to pass
unless every one who now feels the oh
legations of his political duties is true
to the best that is within him. The
secret of the greatness of America and
England in the civilization of the
! world is that there have always been a
sufficient number of mon to respond
when Nelson said England expects
every man to do his duty" When.
ever that day passes then the greatness
of the Anglo-Saxon race shall have de-
parted. M.&
AT the conclusion Of the paper. which
was applauded, President Aydon ex-
pressed thanks to Mr.. Woodruff.
Capt. William Brophy, chief electri-
cian of the Wire Inspection Depart.
ment, Boston, read paper on 1.-THE
Licensing of Employees on Electrical
Work, and Improving the Quality Of
Work and Material" In the course
, of it he said:
The municipal supervision of electri.
cal wires, fixtures and appliances, the
insurance inspector and adiustor, the
reputable contractor, the architect and
those who have suffered at the hands
of the would be electricians (?) need
not he told that electrical workers.
both employees and employers, should
| be compelled to prove their ability tc
deal with this subtle force, whether
they are engaged in installing intricate
] paths for its distribution, operating
J generators that set it in motion, OF
1-ls A.