Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-22

& MILWAUKEE, Sept. 21.-The Ma
tional Municipal League held its final
meeting of the annual convention to-
day. Charles j. Bonaparte, of Balti-
more, was the principal speaker of the
forenoon session. His paper was en-
titled 'sThe essential element in good
city government
George E. Hooker, of Hull House.
Chicago read paper on Local trans
portation and its relation to the wei
fare of the municipality
A paper on Municipal political par
ties, by DR.. Milo R. Maltbie, of New
York city, was read by the secretary.
One of the principal topics of the
! afternoon was paper by Bird S. Coler,
Eomptroller of Greater New York. Mr..
oler was unable to be present, but has
per was read by the secretary.
Mr.. Colers paper was on Danger OF
e Commercial Spirit in Politics" He
serted his belief in our system of gov
pment, its plan and endurance, but in
tent years he said, our material pro-
ess, that should safeguard the per-
nence of our institutions, has in
ity been the
ursery of the Gravest Dangers
that confront the people. While get
ting rich and growing to greatness that
seems to have no limit, We have been
slowly, at time unconsciously, drawing
away from those simple but imperative
rules of public conduct laid down for us
by the wise men who created our sys-
tenn of government.
A spirit of commercialism has invad-
ed our polf.lcs and our craftsmanship.
Public interests have been sacrificed to
private gain. Men have discovered that
there is money in the business of poll
tics and with many of them their greed
is greater than their public spirit.
The root of this evil, which is so
dangerous to our institutions, may be
found In the mistakes in our system
of politics Our machinery for the
2 AAdt tChCASC III PSiitiSdi oifiSAOAo he<o
become so vast and complicated that
large sums Of money are required to
keep it in motion.
1t is an accepted and universally
practiced theory among practical poll
ticians that. conditions being equal,
all offices and favors of government
should GO to members or friends Of the
party in power. The public business
need not suffer from a
Fair and Honest Application
OF this system, but when commercial
ism has invaded politics, it is an easy
Er 70 make CONDITIONS sufficiently
al % Justify fayors to particular
persons.
Every trust in this country to-day is
in whole or part creation of dishonest
commercialism in politics. Honest
governments conducted on business
principles do not grant to combinations
of men or capital special privileges or
powers that are denied to the individ-
uai citizens. Such legislation is rad
ical and dangerous departure from the
true spirit of our system Of govern
anent. 1t is not an honest experiment
to test a new system to meet new con-
ditions. 1t is plainly a business of bar
ter and sale in politics and public life.
Under existing conditions there is no
safety and little protection TO outside
investors who buy the securities of
great corporations. A legislature that
will charter an Legitimate corpora
tion is just as dishonest as the company
that promotes swindle.
In conclusion, Mr.. Coler said:
The Aemedy for the Evil
of corrupt politics is to arouse an in
telligent public opinion. The masses of
the people, in this country are honest,
and that is why believe in them.
Aroused to a full knowledge of their
rights and the wrongs they now suffer,
they will speedily apply remedy, and
once aroused. no political machine or
combination of politicians can stop
them Government can control and
regulate that which it creates, and
when the spirit of commercialism is
crushed out of American politics, no
trust can buy a favor that is denied the
poorest citizen.
When a Chiuaruau becomes a criminal.