New-York tribune., 1900-12-07
REFORM CLUB HAS HOPE.
crTYs WELFARE DISCUSSED AT THE
DINNER BY MANY SPEAKERS.
EDWARD NJ. SHEPARD SAYS THE MOVE
MENT HAS INCREASING VITALITY
CONTROLLER coLER TALKS.

CONTROLLER CoLER TALKS.
In view ~ the public sentiment which has
sprsnq the last two OF three weeks acquired
sueh gathering force for the betterment OF the
social conditions OF this city and FOR the ne
oessitv OF organized effort 10 sweep from power
an administration which has fostered eondi-
tions. more than usual importance was at
tached 70 the dinner Of the Reform Club last
night at which Controller Coler and Edward NJ.
Shepard spoke. While members Of the party to
which Tammany Hall processes 10 belong. these
two men represent that element Of Democracy
whose help is looked for next year in accom-
plishfnE the defeat OF Mr. Croker and his allies,
IN the interest OF clean municipal government
Therein lay the Importance Of what they hsd 70
say. Both ranged themselves unreserVediy upon
the side OF reform. Controller coler dwelt upon
the subject from a somewhat academic point
OF view Y the term may be used IN such
a connection. He advocated. what he pTeieEIeu
20 oal a progressive government. government
thas should not frighten away support by ann
ing az oppressive changes OF existing conditions.
with consequent curtailment Of the liberty OF
the citizen. but one that should be liberal mino-
Cd and reasonable.
Mr. shspard was more incisive and more spe-
cife IN pointing 70 ways whereby results might
be attained. Probably the most pertinent so
FAR as immediate effect is concerned OF the man
suggestions that were made during the evening
was his contention that the recommendations
81 the Charter Revision Commission shoula DC
passea by the Legislature. These alterations IN
the charter ne conten5ed, struck the true note OF
proper municipal government inasmueh as they
would centre responsibility and provide frame
work for an improved administration OF the
Guys affairs.
FRIENDS OF GOOD GOVERNMENT.
wallace Macfarlsne presided over gather
ing thar included more than hundred men
who have gained prominence in recent years
IN the Efforts for good government. Among them
we're z. EIsry Anderson. II Loomis Nelson
Wheeler H Peckham. John G. Agar, Everett
P Wheeler. r r. Bowker, Paul Fuller. Captain
Prank N Gibson, John De Witt Warner, George
r Seward, George Foster Peabody and Joseph
Larocque. During the evening the following
letter was read from St Clair McKelway.
ny Dear Sir: take the first moment Of a return
KIND note Of November q, asking me to 5e the
guest % the Reform Club AZ the dinner on OeeeHl-
Ssr % ,. me as guest hay ~ some friends Il The MeTop0tsn
Club that night. cannot be with you, regret 10
Bus ] shall watch with syTnptthstic interest the
eounsels and soggesuons Whien the speakers fo3 on
70 stop the sale Of Law 10 crime and the purchase
thar il can alone be done by the political destruc
tion Of those perpetrating. promoting or permit
an abuse 50 monstrous bV those n active or passive
completely with persons or organizations respons-
ana that any endeavor 70 end the abominaton,
ana practical civic patriotism viii be only pctur
Care must also be taken 10 protect the movement
from the leadership OF those who mean well but
public workers rests on the number Of wrongs that
have been really strengl hened by their intemper.
indgment Very truly yours -,
Brooklyn, y. Y, December !, 1900
Mr.. MacFarlane in his opening remarks said
that the failure which reform movements had
met with in the last twenty years had been due
10 the political ignorance Of the great mass Of
the people. and explained that the only cure that
could be looked for was the gradual enlghten-
ment Of those classes. In closing he advocated
non-partisanshin in municipal affairs.
CONTROLLER coLER FOR REFORM.
Controller coler was the FIRST regular speaker
of the evening. When he rose TO respond 70 the
ehairmans introduction he was loudly cheered.
In the course Of an address that was listened 10
with the greatest attention he said:
Reform government must of necessity be progres-
Eive government. not eXtravagant and not misery
II must be a government OF intelligence as well as
man in aH mportant once is SeiT ~ as 85or hOIeT' e
roEressve The latter nav sIes 9 s so1s 1segsnt and and
ne former may mar or destroy park or boulevard
there should Be an artistic public edifee "e "7'e
Mr. coler went on 70 speak of the public schooI
system. He believed that the main end Of the
Department Of Education should be 10 give
the vast majority Of children who leave school.
before fifteen such commonsense education as
would fl them for everyday walks Of life
and urged the perfecting Of the civil service
system. He closed by saying that while many
evils existed in the city. yet there Was much
HhaH
should be palliated by developing he bright
and better side of the city.
EDWARD NJ sHEPARD's TALK
Edward N. Shepard, in rising to speak nAx,
was also received with the hesrtiest corsta1;+,s
A. the outset he remarked that OF recept 80,
the spirit Of such gatherings as thar which h.
was addressing seemed 10 be of declining vita1-
ity aha declining optimism. The temper Of buoy
aney and hopefulness seemed TO be 6jsan,ea.
ing. But so far as he was concerned. sIr she,-
ara SAID he was inoorrfglbly optinaistio IT,,
Is wee ne said but there is less ,.ics -
mere was. There is misgovernment but 7 ,b;rl,
1heIe Is less mlsgovernment than there was
mink the virtues Of the city are bs,,ar a.
usF lowest they are not so low as they vver..
al lhelr highest they are higher So DOM sd
mt that there is foundation for that denreNsi,,.
oeAet with which we have TO deal. No,hin.
1-e Se more encouraging than the signs of
aroused conscience
since the mind % the people has been SETTLE,
epon the Presidential question, every one r,Ds,
nave noticed that in the city OF New-York there
az alert observation Of what is going on and
WIN what the city authorities NAV be con-
ceihsd- Ihere seems 20 be tide beginning IN
rise and We are beginning q movement which
shall be fruitful this year OF next year.
ne REVISION Commissioners have done their
work They have recognized the true note ~