New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-19
LONDON NOTES.
Good Government Clubs-Plays,
Nese and OId-CoUectors' Risks.
London Decemher 3.

q fortnight has explored the Mid!ands and Ian
csshire, Ireland and Scotland, rivalIing Puck in
speed and Hercules IN energy; and wherever
he has halted he has spoken with fervor Of the
arts OF peace, the brotherhood OF nations and
the science ot government. Each OF his Lon
don speeches has been trimming over with op
ti1nism. and his voice has vibrated with earnest
ness and his eye has flashed as he has pro-
claimed the obligation OF every race TO set
good example by improving the conditions Of
government He has interested himself in the
Irarvels Of local administration in the Scotch
and English provincial cities, and has declared
that American towns cannot do better than 20
introduce some OF the policies which have been
successfully carried out in Glasgow. Manchester.
Birmingham. Liverpool Leeds and other great
towns With commanding gesture he has dis
missed the idea that English and Scotch influ-
ence and example be shut out OF America
by even the highest tariff walls Certainly DR..
shaw's books, containing clear and compre-
hensve views Of municipal government in Great
Britain have not been taxed out Of existence by
prohibitory duties during the last decade. The
subject which has kindled the enthusiasm OF the
Democratic Missioner is not a novel one, at
least 10 Tribune readers who have followed the
regular correspondence from London. 1t has
always been dealt with in q sympathetic spirit
II these letters, for I have never swerved from
the conviction formed soon after my arrival in
England that local government, as It is con-
Quoted here on progressive lines Of municipal
ownership. is the best in the world
The Missioner Of the Science Of Government"
has been impressed with the results Of collect
ivlsm or municipal socialism as illustrated in the
ownership and operation Of gas and electric
supplies, tramway services and other public
works wonder IL he fully appreciates the dis
tinction between partisan politics as it is known
ordinarily in American cities and the strictly
non-partsan administration OF the great Eng
lish and Scotch towns. Policies markedly So
cislstic IN character have been adopted with
absolute security in these British towns because
there were good government clubs TO regulate
and direct them OF "bossism' or partisan poll
tics there is no trace in the municipal govern
meut here. The Mayors are ornamental func-
tionaries, without power Of appointment or priv
nege Of veto. and their election does not involve
redistribution OF Offices and patronage The
Mayor is the presiding officer Of a Town Council,
which is recruited from retired merchants
wealthy landowners and active business men,
and which governs the town through commit
tees placed in charge OF the principal Depart
ments and services. This body is an efficient
good government club, whose members have
nothing to make out Of local administration ex-
cept q good name. They are content to devote
a large share Of their leisure to the business
affairs OF the town and have no other recon-
pense than the honor Of serving on the Council.
It is this sense Of moral obligation to render
useful service 10 the community that has car
rfed the best men into the Council Local gov
ernnleut has not only been made efficient, but
progressive as well, and investments have been
ordered in municipal works and undertakings
which win ultimately become highly remunera-
tive, and reduce the burdens OF taxation. Va
rous measures OF municipal socialism have been
carried out IN q conservative spirit Of enlight-
ened self-interest and so long the Town
Councils are Influenced by this high standard
OF civic duty they minister to the welfare OF
the masses without sacrificing the material in
terests Of the community. Mr.. Bryan cannot
safely dispense with these good government
clubs Il he undertakes TO introduce the princi-
pies Of municipal ownership in American cities
There must be the same sense OF public obli-
cation 10 devote time and labor to the business
affairs OF the town. or municipal socialism Will
be & reckless experiment in American cities.
Lady Trowbridge has been writing a peculiar
play for the entertainment Of the smart sets.
II is entitled Mrs. Oakleigh." and has been pro-
duced by Miss May Pardoe and an excellent
company at the New Theatre for a trial matinee
Il records the adventures Of a wanton without
redeering trait, who saunters through the
gardens Of Honburg with coquettish wiles and
sweeps across the stage in gorgeous gowns.
She has been wrecl1ing her own and other repu-
tstions, but not without exciting the resentment
Ct her tolerant husband. and suddenly she is
seized with violent passion for George Stan
way a man Of pith, with handsome eyes and
musical voice, who is devoting himself to Mrs.
Payment after flirting madly with Lady Esther
Humphreys. Mrs. Oakleigh lures her bird, and
declares that she is IN love for the first time in
her life; and then she loses him. for as soon as
her past experiences are revealed he abandons
her and marries Lady Esther Humphreys. Mrs.
oakieigh is discovered in the final act pining and
dying Of love in Mrs. Clarence's fat; and her
friend. after a consultation with Lord Jarvis,
succeeds in drawing Stairway into the sickroom
70 assist the convaleseence Of the patient by
making love 70 her. Mrs. Oakleigh dies while he
is repeating his vows Of love. and his wife, Lady
Esther is brought on the scene at the last mo-
nent and witnesses the embrace; and a group OF
men and women. apparently decent and respect
able. shed tears while arranging flowers about
her and smoothing the cushions The author Of
this farrago Of immortality and morbid sentiment
responded TO a fattering call from the audience
after the fan OF the curtain. and was received
with great enthusiasm by her fashionable
friends Il was none the less abominable
play without morality or reason
4 more suitable entertainment for the Christ
mas season is THE Cricket on the Hearth ar
the Garr1ck Theatre. 1t IS the Boucicault YER
sion OF Dlckens's Christmas story, which MI
Toole produced ct the Adelph forty years ago,
but Il has been enriched with tinsel splendors
and fairy revelry. There is swarm OF elves IN
q rnoonltt wood with Oberon. Titania, Puck and
Ariel among them and the Kettle waddles In
and the Cricket is transformed into a fairy
guardian. watching with Home over the FORT