The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-09

and serious defects recognized in Ameri-
can municipal institutions are practically
the same throughout the country. They
arise from permanent and general, not
from temporary or local causes. Com
plants may vary In form and degree,
but the general situation is substantially
Identical in all the great cities of the
union.
DEDUCTIONS DRAWN.
The deductions to, be drawn from, the
deliberations of that conference were
these: The municipal problem exists be-
cause a prevalent sense of right in favor
of municipal efficiency and honesty does
not exist. The National Municipal league
was organized and has been Working to
supply this lack. From all sides came
the same story-wastefulness inefficiency
all too frequent scandals in public Hfe
and the rule of the least estimable and
the least trustworthy.
The problem which has confronted the
league was: How is new era for our
cities to be Inaugural ted-how are we to
abolish wastefulness and inefficiency and
secure the enactment and enforcement Of
good laws and the selection of men of
trained ability and proved integrity for
all municipal positions, and to prevent the
success Of incompetent and corrupt can
didates for public office? The answer to
ILLS was CTOaunS duu maintaining a deep
er interest In municipal affairs and by
creating public opinion and sentiment
that will be intolerant of anything short
Of the best In all matters pertaining to
the welfare of our American municipali-
ties.
It's purpose thus plainly indicated the
National Municipal league was organized
with its objects set forth in the constitu-
ton as follows:
THESE ITS OBJECTS.
First-To multiply the numbers, har-
monize the methods and combine the
forces of all who realize that it is only
by united action and organization that
good citizens can secure the adoption of
good laws and the selection of men of
trained ability and proved integrity for
all municipal positions. or prevent the
success of incompetent'or corrupt candi-
dates for public office
Second-To promote the thorough in
vestigation and discussion of the condi-
lions and details of civic administration,
and of the methods for selecting and ap-
pointing officials in American cities, and
Of laws and ordinances relating to such
subjects.
Third-To provide for such meetings and
conferences and for the preparation and
circulation of such addresses and other
the cause Of good city government
To this task the league has addressed
Itself with an increasing measure of sue
cess. Since its formation 1t has steadily
pursued it's subject. Through its guidance
and inspiration new local reform organi-
cations have been started and old ones
reorganized, and both have undertaken
and successfully prosecuted certain work.
In short, an active, aggressive, persistent
propaganda has been carried on so that
the American people may appreciate the
Importance of the municipal situation.
When the league was organized there
were less than seventy five reform orga-
nizations In the country. There are now
one hundred and eighteen affiliated with
the league and nearly f1de hundred are in
existence Inlet different cities. During
tl.is period some Of tie associations have
lapsed, but their places have been taken
by others. so that the total has been
maintained and gradually increased.
One Of the pieces Of work accomplished