The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-19

though enjoying wide reputation as the grand.
son Of King crome Bonaparte, OF Wcstphalia, he
does not have to depend upon his ancestral dis.
tinction for the prominent place he occupies in
the public affairs Of his native state. lie was
president until recently Of the Maryland Civil
Service Reform association, and Of the Union
for Public Good, and is a leading member OF
the Baltimore Reform league. lie has always
been an active worker for higher ideals and bet
ter conditions in the political life OF his state
and city. lie is an effective speaker always
listened TO with great interest on all occasions
lie has been prominently identified with the
civil service and municipal reform movements
since their inception.
Ex.Judgc r. J. Blandiu, Of Cleveland, although
no longer member Of the executive commit
tee (having been succeeded by Harry A. Garfield,
the son Of former President Garneld), Il still an
influential member Of the league. Like Mr.. Car
ter, although leader in his profession and en-
ioying an extended practice, he always finds time
TO discharge any civic duty imposed upon him.
lie has been particularly interested In the move
ment TO secure uniform government for Ohio
cities and as one OF the representatives, both
| OF the Ohio Chamber Of Commerce and OF the
| Cleveland Chamber Of Commerce. lie has
| pressed with vigor for the accomplishment OF
| this much needed reform. It may not he gener'
| ally known, that although the Ohio constitution
| forhlds special legislation, nevertheless, loop
| hole has been found by which special laws Tor
cities under the guiso Of an alleged classification
| are permitted, and have been enacted to an alb
surd length To change this state OF affairs
which results in expensive and inefficient munich
| pal government, Judge Blandn has been devot'
| ing his time and energies. One result of his la
| bors is to be seen in the interest manifested
| throughout his state in the subject and in the
enactment Of law providing for the appoint
| mcnt OF a commission to draft municipal code
| .
Charles Richardson, Of Philadelphia, the first
vice.prcsident, may, with Justice, be called the
| founder of the league. II was due to his nitia-
tive that the first conference for good city gov
| crnment was called. Out OF this, the league
| grew, mainly through his advice and suggcs'
| tons He, with many other active rciormcrs'
| for long time felt the need Of some medium
for an exchange OF ideas and suggestions between
| those engaged in similar work in different To-
caitics. The league was designed to fulhll this
| need. Mr.. Richardson is unusual type OF
| man. lie retired from active business in the
prime Of manhood, that he might devote his
time and attention TO public affairs. lie did not
continue until he had acquired large fortune,
| as he might easily have done, but retired with
competence sufficient to give hm the time
| and means TO prosecute those lines of public
| work in which he has become q leader. lie was
a member Of the old Philadelphia Committee Of
| 100, and has been leading and influential Off
| Ger OF its direct successor, the Citizens asso'
citation. lie is the vicc.prcsident Of the Munich
pal league, Of Philadelphia, a large, Aourishing
and increasingly useful organization. Indeed, he
has been identified with every reform movement
inauguratcd during the last fifteen years in his
native city. by his wisdom, sagncity and con
scrvatsm he has proved an invaluable adviser and
worker. The league is fortunate in having as
its president and vice president two men so emf
ncntly safe in COUNSEL and 50 experienced in
practical work.
Professor Edmund J. James, another Of tn.
vicc-prcsidents, has done perhaps as much as
any other man in this country to popularizo tho
study of municipal government. During the
thirteen years he was connected with the Whar
ton School Of Finance and Economy in the Uni
vcrsity Of Pennsylvania he not only published
numerous articles on the subject which hav,
had large circulation and a strong directing
influence, but he inspired many of his students
who have since gone out to do their own share
of the work, with full measure of his spirit
Perhaps his most important contribution was hi
article on the "Municipal Ownership of Gas
Certain it is that his arguments prevailed il
Philadelphia in 1856, and in many other com
rnunitics it has served to strengthen the hand
of those who believe that city should own il
gas plants and other municipal monopolies. A
a professor in the great and growing University
of Chicago, and the director Of its univcrsit,
extension division, he is in a position to guild
and influence the educational side Of the muni
cipal reform movement in the West.
Mayor George W. Ochs, Of Chattanooga,
member of the executive committee was a re
former in office. Twice elected mayor of Chatta
nooga, he demonstrated the sincerity of his re
form convictions by his conscientious discharg
of his duties. Not only did he introduce numcr
Gus economies and reduce the debt of his city
but he at the same time inaugurated many i'm
provemcnts and stood between the city an
selfish seekers after franchises, and foarcSSl
used the veto power entrusted to him by tn
law.
Another Philadelphian on the board Of officer
is the treasurer, George Burnham, ir., a loadin
member Of the firm owning the Baldwin Locomc
tive works, the largest place OF its kind in tn
: world As president oi the Municipal league
! Of Philadelphia, with its 5000 members he ha
been at once a wise and progressive leader {
municipal reform. Quiet and unostentatious, h
| is nevertheless, an irdetatigable worker y"
| sessing as he does, the confidence ot the larg
business community, he is able to bring man
, | important reforms to satisfactory conclusion
The other oficers and members OF the eNecr
| tive committee are all pTOHnPhl Hl'H j." WV
respective communities and leaders Of retorI
. | movements. Thomas y. Strong, the third vic'
president, is president of the Portland, Ore
Z Municipal league; II. Dickson Burns NJ. D., II
fourth vice president, was one OF the active spl
: | its leading the successful revolt against the Ne
i Orleans ring few years ago; William G, Low
of Brooklyn, Is a brother Of President Set
Low, and possesses many Of his brothers ADM
able qualities; he is president of the 'ltHen
i union, of BROOKLYN; John \. Butler, president Z
. the Milwaukee Municipal league, is one OF II
q most active and successful reformers in the hort'
u vest Frank \. Hartwell, president OF the Lonl
g vile Good Government club; +. l.. SiddcnS'
Washington; Joseph A. Miller, Of Providence
: Dudley Tbbits, al Troy, and George W, Guthrie
; | of Pittsburg, have all contributed largely
their time and means to advance the cause
= better city government and have earned by haT
and successful work the prominent places INC
, occupy in the management OF the analrS oi u
y National Municipal league,
| -
!. ITS PUSHING SPIRIT.