The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-21

The Hon. Clinton Rogers Woodruff,
Of Philadelphia, gave an interesting
talk on the subject of Municipal Re-
FORM" before the Mems union last
night, in the lecture room of the Green
Ridge Presbyterian church. and ably
advocated the necessity of electing good
men to responsible positions. Mr.. Wood
ruff Is chairman Of the union commit
tee for the promotion of ballot reform
and the merit system in Pennsylvania,
and secretary of the National Munich
pal league. Four years ago he was
elected to the state legislature on the
Republican ticket and was reelected
two years ago. He is an ardent advo-
cate of reform, and bears q national
reputation for his work in that line.
Rev. DR.. T. j. Lansing, of the Green
Ridge Presbyterian church. introduced
Mr.. Woodruff to the audience, which
consisted of u very large number of
members Of the league.
In the course Of his remarks Mr..
Woodruff paid his compliments to the
political machine and declared that 1t
was simply the incarnation OF trusts in
politics, and an exemplidcation Of the
same idea. He argued that it repre-
sents the consolidation of political in
fluences in the hands of a few.
You know the evil that follows in
The wake of the ring" he said. "ard
you know that the ring itself keeps in
the background and puts forward pup
pets. While Van Wyck may be de-
feated, Croker continues in authority.
If YOU are going to have power con-
centrated, put it into the hands of the
in,
responsible. AS things now stand. we
have concentrated power, but 1t is in
non-offical hands"
THE SPOKESMAN.
He then paid his respects to the
spokesman, saying: Ever since the
days of Andrew Jackson, the spokesman
has existed with his luxurious and very
un-American ideas regarding public
office. I hold that it is as justiflable
for the cashier in bank to pay per-
sonal debts out of the banks funds as
it is that debts may be paid by the be-
stowal of public office. There is need
of extending the merit system in this
country, and have no men appointed to
public office unless perfectly qualified.
Men are in Office to do the public Will
no other purpose.
I'm Philadelphia we have ten thou
sand officers who do the bidding of a
political boss and look to him for guild
ance and protection. Their test is
fidelity to the political interests Of their
boss alone. This means good deal in
districts where the policeman is the
only official with whom the people ever
come into contact and where lie is a
potent factor"
Mr.. Woodruff declared that an ex-
tension of the home rule idea is nee
eSsary and spoke against municipali-
ties action in continually looking to
the Legislature for remedy and re-
dress. This. he said begets indiffer-
ence and laXness. "Home rule" he
said, means that every municipality
shall determine it's own destiny and
develop itself free from the interfer-
ence of legislature, largely made up
of country members ignorant of mu-
nicipal affairs
In speaking of municipal corruption
he remarked, Il will not say much
about official corruption. You know
too much OF it here in your own city,
where city officials have been found
seriously wanting. You have passed
through a critical condition, and you
will go though another, if you are not
vigilant. Citizens leave too much to
the legislature. too much to the law,
and do not do enough themselves.
FAIL TO REALIzE.ts
I'VE have talked about the privi-
leges OF citizenship and failed to Zeal
iHe its duties. We must work just as
hard for civic righteousness as for
any other kind Of righteousness"
He concluded his address by de-
claring. "The great difficulty in mu
nicipal affairs is that we wait for
others to solve the great problem. 1t
is our duty to do our share in the
work whether other people do theirs
or not"
"A general discussion followed, in
the course of which Mr.. Woodruff
mentioned number OF interesting
faSts regarding the Philadelphia Mu-
nicipal League. 1t now has mem-
bership of $4,000 voters, and is recog-
nized as n party by the Quaker City
authorities. Several officials have al
ready been elected by the league.