Arizona republican., 1903-03-17
FIRST GUN FIRED
 IN BOND CAMP PAICN
Efforito Encourage Formation
 of City leagte
W. A. Giles Speaks on City Ownership of Utilities. Danger of Political Cor rultion and Reforms.

A mass meeting, under the ausp.ces of the Good Citizens league, was held at the O'Neill hall lest night. and the principal speaker of the evening was W. A. Giles ot Chicago an advocate of political reform. A brass band made q stand on several corners, but the at tendance at the meeting was light. J. c. Adams. who presided, suggested that attendance would be greater. but citizens for the most part already en- tertained convictions on the matter at issue, which is a proposed bond issue in the sum of sS0O,G00 for the construc- ton of city water works, and did not care to listen to further arguments. One Of the main purposes of the meet ing was to create enthusiasm in a movement to organize a permanent municipal league. The speaker of the evening made some suggestions along that line.
 The presiding officer in his introduce tory remarks referred 10 the impend- ing bond question briefly and added that whether or not Phoenix issue bonds which securely fasten a mort gage on this city Of S300, ,00O'' it is es- sential to good government that citi- zecs take an active part in public affairs ard breathe life to Q citizens municipal organization which will guarantee the selection of good men for the mana cement of. the public a;- fairs of Phoenix.
 The address Of Mir. Giles vas ey haustive and carefully prepared. Ii dealt at some length with the problem of municipal ownership of pubic utili- ties of all descriptions and went ever more fully into political corruption as 1t has been exposed in New York, Min neapolis, St. Louis and other eastern cities. He sounded warnings calculat. ed to preclude the worst forms of cor. ruption and made an earnest plea foi more active interest oi citizens in pub. lie questions. He said:
 MT. Giles. the principal speaker 0 he evening, spoke at length. He sai. in part:
 l am glad to be able to congratulat your society end say word to yo; upon the subject of citizens work an, municipal improvement. partisan associations of private citizens hay often proved important factors in gath ering information. attacking abuses holding public sentiment and in organ i izing the intelligent forces of the com munity for the promotion of civic re forms and good government Publi officials, even if disposed, seldom hay the time to make thorough investiga tions of the problem being worked ou ! in other and older communities. It i 'still more seldom that the private citi zen has the time or inclination to stud very carefully the moral, financial an practical questions rela ting to munici pal government. Every important ste in political reforrl-civil service pri mary elections and ballet reform. reg istration of voters and improved priso and charity administration-have bee won. not by any president. mayor o alderman, but through the efforts c public-spirited private citizens.
 ! have no criticism to make upon tn government of Phoenix. You have ha 1 q great work to do in the few years c your history-situated thousand mile from any conSidera ble source of sup plies. capital scarce and restitating,
 large savage and mixed population t
 deal with, arid soil to redeem, canals