The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-16
BETTER MUNICIPAL GOVERN
MENT


The National Municipal league, an
organization for the betterment of city
government, is holding its annual ses-
sion in Columbus, o., this week Mr..
Clinton r. Woodruff, in a review of the
work of the league during the past
year cited a number of instances to
show that the principle is securing rec
ognition. He said;
IN April last Baltimore elected a
mayor because he represented the idea.
Mayor Jones, Of Toledo, was elected
because his candidacy represented the
pre-eminency of municipal affairs, and
in Chicago the reelection of Mayor
Carter Harrison is ascribed not to his
participation in state and national pol
tiles but to the fact that he represent
ed a definite stand upon q definite local
question.
Hand in hand with the movement
to divorce municipal questions from
state and national questions is that for
the introduction of the merit system
The spells system and national paru-
sanship in municipal matters go hand
in hand The elimination of the SpOilS
system means the elimination of ma
tional craftsmanship in municipal affairs.
The spOilS partisan recognizes this and
deVOtes his force and energy to COM
batting the introduction of the merit
system; but despite his efforts. his sub
tlety and chicanery, the movement for
civil service reform IN our munlclpau-
ties goes steadily forward and is max
ing substantial Roadway. The expert
ence in New York state, in San Fran
cisco and in Chicago all point to one
conclusion-that the people when they
have a chance to express their opinion
are in favor of the merit system, and
that the politicians whenever they have
an opportunity will do all that lies
within their power to retard it's pro-
gress
movement for charter reform through
the has steadily
on; succeeding here, failing for the
present there, only to be followed by
still more vigorous efforts.
There has been no more substantial
If dication of the growing public inter
est in municipal problems than the dis
cuSSiOn during the past year of the
question of municipal ownership, con-
troll and operation of municipal fran
Chises- At the Detroit meeting of the
League of American municipalities the
sentiment of the officials of the cities
there represented was unQualifiedly in
favor of the municipal ownership. con-
troll and operation of the principal mu-
nlcipal franchises Since that time the
whole question has been discussed with
a degree of care and thorOughness that
indicates beyond question that the peo-
pie are thinking on. the subject. and
thinking with a view to Determining
once and for all the fundamental policy
involved"
When our city officials come together
for consultation and conference con-
corning the interests committed to
their care then indeed we have an evil
dence Of an aroused interest IN munich
pal affairs which is most promising.
Imagine a meeting of city officials 10 or
Is years ago to discuss city affairs, and
vet now not only have we a League of
American municipalities. but there are
at least 10 state Leagues of Municfpali-
ties all manifesting a marked degree
of activity In Ohio. Indiana, Illinois.
Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas. Canfor-
MIA, Connecticut, Florida ane Pennsyl-
vania we find the city officials meeting
in annual session to debate municipal
topics and to exchange ideas as to mu-
nicipal adminiStra ton. The evidence
Of municipal progress. however, is not
confined to officials in office and their
activity, The citizens Of the various