The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-16

be classed a. municipal reformers. Ihey
are nevertheless striving tn make tne Guy
more wholesome place 10 live In ana
using the words Of one OF the most aosivs
mem bsrs Of the group to minister 70 the
social needs of the people" II has
been an interesting study to observe the
growyh of sentiment among them along
distinct reform lines although the bulk
of them would repudiate the designation
Of reformer. Their pablo utternnces
show q gradual siren gtnenirg Of opinion
In favor of civil ssrvics reform and mu-
nioipal reform. In fsot, they are begtnn-
ing TO realize that their plans cannot be
consu nm atsd without them.
While smph ASKING the close relation
ship sustained by the two reforms to
each other and their inter dependence.
we must not overlook the fact that mu.
nicipal reform includes something more
than civil service reform. For example.
1t Involves an appropriate conception OF
the oity as q means Of promoting the CON-
fort, well being and happiness OF It's In
habitanta True civil ssrvice reform is
an important factor to this end, but In
stances are not wanting where SUB
stantial service to the cause of better
government has bssn rendered without
the question Of civil ssrvics reform being
In any wiss involved.
In referring to the stand Of Mayor
Harrison Of Chicago In the Hght against
the street railway corporations. Mr..
Woodruff said a still more recent instance
In the same line is to lie found In the
bold stand of Controller Coler Of New
York City, whereby he dsfeatsd the Ra-
niapo water deal and saved the city OF
New York untold millions OF dollars
kveryoIe who Ia Interested In the cause
Of Better municipal government reoog-
niZss In Mr.. Coler's action . substantial
service to ths cause, although they real-
izs that he was not eleotsi rs OWL SER
vice reformer. nor does he pose as strong
advocate or supporter of the merit system.
From this we have distinguished munich
pal reform achievements 10 which the
question OF civil servtos reform does not
enter and accomplished by men who have
not tesn oonspicuous as civil services re-
formers.
MIR. Woodruff referred to the fact that
the machines within their own orgaui-
cations and In the conduct of their own
affairs follow the merit synstem appoint
ing and pro moting only those TO impor-
tant positions In the organizations who
had demonstrated their fitness. We have
this aituation TO confront. A measure OF
municipal reform can be achieved niue,
psndeat Of trIesrective OF the gu. sion oil
civil seIvice reform ard secondly, the
priuciplss CT the merit sysseiu can De ac'
oompllshed In way and 20 set OF oon-
ditions directly opposed TO the puhlic well
fare, so that while II Ia rus that civil
50 vic3 reform 10 a fsotor and an import
the sale factor.
MIR. Woodruff pointed out that the fall
ure Of the Philadeiphia gas works had
no. been caused by the non-applioat1on OF
the merit system, not because municipal
ow nership had proved failure; but be-
cause the legal representatives OF the
PEOPLE were reHreant TO the trust imposed
in them aud haa failed to appropriate
suiIiclens moneys to maintain th9 plant
In good running order and to enlarSe Its
facilities as the demands upon it In
creased.
Tho tendency to strengthen the public
demand for the sui stitution of the merit
system for the spells system has, however,
been most mark, In these communities
where the city undertakes 60 DO the mast
for its citizens. In Glasgow, Birming-
ham, Manchester and Berlin we find a
great extension of municipal functions
and weil-establ sh sd merit system.
These two have gone along hand-in-
hand In the cities mentioned. whether
see former Is responsible for the latter,
or vics versa, / cannot say. but do know
that no otcsr cities do AS much for their
citizens aud in none other Is this merit
systrm so completely and universally es-
tAhiished he history OF municipal gov
ernn eat In cur own country Gears evil
denea to the same erect.