Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-25

been no general national organiZa-
ton devoted exclusively to a consid-
GRAFTON of the municipal problem in
any of its phases. In that month a
national conference for good city
government was held in the city OF
Philadelphia, at the invitation of the
Municipal league of that city, in
which invitation the City club of
New York heartily joined. All the
sessions of this conference were
largely attended, the audiences rang
ing from 400 to 1000. James c. Car
ter, one of the leaders of the Ameri-
can bar, and president of the City
club, presided. The delegates, up
wards of 200 in number, came from
all the leading cities of the country
east of Minneapolis and NORTH of
New Orleans.
This conference, which lasted
through three days, was addressed
by distinguished officials and repre-
sentative citizens, including Hon.
Theodore Roosevelt, then president
of the United States civil service
commissions; Moorfield Storey, of
Boston; Hon. Charles A. Schicren,
mayor of Brooklyn; William G. Low,
of the same city; Edwin ID. Mead,
editor THE New England Magazine: "
Charles j. Bonaparte, of Baltimore;
Rev. William s. Rainsford, ID. D.. of
New York. former Postmaster John
Field, of Philadelphia; Rev. James H..
Ecob, ID. d.; Hon. Edwin S. Stuart,
then mayor of Philadelphia; Hon.
Carl Schurz; Mrs. Mary f. Mumford,
of Philadelphia; Samuel b. Capen. of
Boston; Horace +. Deming, of New
York
The interchange of opinions and
experiences at the conference proved
so valuable that there was a general
sentiment in favor of arranging for
future meetings. and to that end Ia
organize national body. Accord
mgly, a committee of seven was APP
pointed to take such steps as might
he necessary to form such an organi-
cation. This committee did its work
thoroughly and promptly. the senti-
ment in favor of such step being so
pronounced and widespread that a
meeting for the purpose of perfect
ing an organization was called to
meet in the city of New York in the
following May, at which time and
place the National Municipal League
was formally organized, with the fol-
lowing objects and purposes:
First-TO multiply the numbers.
harmonic the methods and combine
the forces of all who realize that il
is only by united action and organi-
zation that good citizens can secure
the adoption of good laws and the
selection of men of trained ability
and proved integrity for all muni-
cipal positions, or prevent the sue
cess of incompetent or corrupt can
didates for public office.
Second-To promote the thorough
and discussion of the
and details of civic admin
istration, and of the methods for Sc
lecting and appointing officials in
cities, and of laws and or
dinances relating to such objects.
Third-To provide for such meet
ings and conferences and for the pre-
paration and circulation of such adj
dresses and other literature. as may
seem likely TO advance the cause of
good city government.
Mr.. Carter was elected president of
the league; Charles j. Bonaparte,
chairman Of the Executive commit
tee; Il. Fulton Cutting. of New York,
treasurer. and Clinton Rogers Wood
ruff, secretary, all of whom now fill
the same offices, except Mr.. Cutting.
who has been succeeded by George
Burnham, Jr.. of Philadelphia.
The vice-presidents of the league
are Charles Richardson. of Phila-
delphia. also vice-president of the
Philadelphia league; Samuel Il. Cap
en-. of Boston. president of the
Dickson Bruins. of New ORLEANS;
Thomas y. Strong. of Portland. Ore,
and Prof. Edmund J. james, of the
University of Chicago.
The executive committee consists,
in addition to the officers. and Mr..
Bonaparte, chairman. of William G..
Low. of Brooklyn; George w. Guth-
ric and Oliver McClintock. of Pitts
burgh; Hector Mcintosh. secretary of
the Philadelphia Municipal league;
Hon. George w. Ochs. editor of the
Philadelphia Times, formerly mayor
of Chattanooga. Tenn; Dudley Tib-
bits. of Troy, \. Y; Joseph \. Miller.
of Providence. Il. l.; +. NJ. Thresher,
of Dayton. Ohio; w. p. Bancroft. Will
Del; Joseph 4. Alling,
y. y; Frank y. HartwelI,
Louisville. Ky: Harry y. Garfield, of
Cleveland. Ohio.
The league has held conferences in
1sO4). Cleveland (1S95),
Baltimore Us96). Louisville (1S9),
Gs9s), Columbus (1s99),
$4,000. and Rochester
G9OD. The proceedings of each of
these meetings, published in book
form. have found their way into the
hands of students and officials gener-
ally and into the libraries of the
country. Judging from the unsought
testimony of those who have utilized
them, they have met need for con-
else and accurate information and
infalIioar,f 1iGnuSSinn Of tho