The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-14

~ the public eye this week. It's
most important claim on public interest
was the issuance Of Its eleventh an
nual report. Recent changes have been
made in the league g officers and the
report is signed by Walter L. Fisher, !
president, and George O. Skies, secre-
tary. The latter is we'll known In Min |
neapolis, being university graduate
end for number Of years connected
with local newspapers. Mr.. Skies has
been the office secretary, devoting his
whole time to league affairs. He will
continue this work, but will unite with
ts the general secretaria work for
merly performed by Mr.. Fisher.
The report points out that Chicago
was the leader in the exposure and
correction of corrupt misgovernment
and that the first step undertaken, a
determined attempt to raise the stand
ard Of the city council, has been so
successful that this body, formerly far
below the average Of private business
morality, may now be claimed safely
as better in motive and practice than
Its surroundings. The old-time gang in
the city council has been reduced to,
perhaps, dozen members, altho It may
be assumed with absolute assurance
that 1t would have many recruits but
for the maintenance with public sup
port and confidence Of some such mill
tant organization as the Municipal
Voters league.
Of the thirty-fve aldermen retiring,
but six are condemned in the report,
while twenty-four are recommended for
reelection. AS the primary business Of
the league is to make war on grafters
L., b. lo1,@ 70 SnYn on,
the merits of candidates on nom
partizan lines, the political affiliations
Of the aldermen are not mentioned in
the statement Of their records. While
no recommendations are made along
Legislative lines, the situation on i'm
portant questions is set forth. On trac-
ton matters it is pointed out that the
council has promised to submit it's de-
eision to the vote Of the people and
to abide by their action. For this rea-
son the persistent attacks on the ma
jority are pronounced malevolent.
On Monday the president Of the
league was one Of the principal speak
ers before the local transportation COM
mittee which was holding a hearing on
the traction ordinance, In this Mr..
Fisher did not officially represent the
league He covered the ground very
thoroly, having studied the problem
closely, and made a number Of valuable
suggestions, several Of which were ia
yorably received and may lead to
amendment of the proposed ordinance:
Most interesting to municipal owner
ship advocates was his desire that the
city's right to purchase the roads at
the end of five years or any time there
after should be unqualified and clear.
y. R. Kingman and Stiles P. Jones,
president and secretary, respectively, of
the Minneapolis Municipal Voters
a league, and Mayor
So Our Mayor Jones are here as
represent atives of
at the Minneapolis
municipal better
Chicago Meeting ment forces at the
az conference Of rep
resentatives Of non-partizan organiza
lions for the promotion Of better mu
nicipa1 government by active partici
patton in city elections. This meeting
is the first of it's kind to be held anc
was called by the Municipal Voters
league, which has been urged for sew
eral years to call together the mel
working along these lines. The City clul
has joined in the entertaining and tn,
meetings are being held in the rooms O:
the City club on Clark street.
The meeting is very informal II
character, but will probably result II
. permanent organization and in tn
crystalli7ing into the form Of resolu
lions Of those conclusions upon whicl
there Is practical unanimlty. The con
ference discussions are being confined
to the general question: The extent t.
which municipal elections should b.
separated from national party politic
and the control Of national politica
parties, and the best means by whic]
such separation az may be deemed ad
visable can be brought about.
% This Question is 80 broad and inclu
kve in it's ramifcations that it has at
forded ample scope for discussion. PR
vate conferences on other topics hav
been held as delegates desired to cal
them and in the accidental grouping
during the intermissions every phas
Of municipal politics have been consio
cred. The reports Of the work Of eac
organization represented were full O
important suggestions.
The conference will close tonigh
with beefsteak dinner at the Aud
torinm at which Mayor Jones will b
one Of the speakers. The delegates rel
resented sixteen cities.
I. The views Of the Chicago league o
the main question is an unequivocs
one, these views being brought OF
strongly in its annual report. Presider
Fisher in his address opening the COZ
ference advocated the separation of nj
tional politics from municipal affair
and argued that voters must brea
away from party lines If they mean t
accomplish any reform in the COVER,
Iiaent of cities. One statement in hi
address will challenge attention. H
said: IT,.
Two forms Of government only a,
of real and vital Importance to til
people Of this country. They are n;
tional and local. State lines are rapid
disappearing or are recognized only 3
mere divisions Of convenience.
The death Of DIR. William R. Harpe
has stirred Chicago deeply, altho it hs
been regarded as inevitable for month
Dean Harry ]
The Late DR.. Harper Judson is actin
as head of til
Planned university, as /
has been doin
for the Future most Of the tin
for a year. q
will undoubtedly be elected actin
president and there seems to be a gel
ara1 imnression that there. will ba ,