The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-15
MINNEAPOLIS HAS
CHANCE TO CROW
WINS HIGH DISTINCTION IN CON-
FERENCE OF CITIES.

Above New York and Thirteen Other |
Leading Cities in Matter Of Civic
Reforms-Also Congratulated for
Adjustment Of Corrupt Contract
System. .....
Minneapolis is highly regarded thru
out the country as one Of the most adj
vanced in the matter Of civic reforms,
says 8. P. Jones, secretary of tho
Voters league, who returned yesterday
from the civic reform conference at
apolis and the local conditions was
quite overwhelming. For instance, Min
neapolis has the Australian ballot and
primary election systems, and was the
only city represented at the conference
which could boast of this distinctions
The cities represented were Boston,
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis,
New York, Philadel phia, Pittsburg and
| Minneapolis. That for which other cities
have been fighting in vain and without
which a radical reform is impossible,
| Minneapolis obtained without much
effort.
The tales of election manipulation,
:ballotbox stuffng and other methods
Of preventing free expression of
public opinion and an honest ballot.
were astounding.
Minneapolis was also congratulated
on having abolished the contract sys-
/ tenn of public work, which was con-
demned by every delegate as source
poor work even when the cost was ex-
cessive. Moreover, the city was. con-
| graduated on having an intelligent
body Of voters readily responsive to re-
form movements.
The business of the conference was,
there is no permanent organization.
Conditions were discussed and reform
methods suggested and toward the close
the following platform was adopted: |
Whereas, The vast growth Of American
4 cities has brought with it a series of
t problems peculiar to congested popula-
| ton, and most Of which have no possible
connection with the general policies of
the nation; and,
|. Whereas These problems-moral So
cial and economic-can only be solved by
| the Intelligent, unhampered direct atten-
| ton of the communities interested; and
Whereas, Prior to the accomplishment
of the great tasks set before the cities
there is need that all unnecessary obsta-
|
that may lead to simplifcation Of cleo
lions;
Now, therefore, we, the delegates rep
resenting militant nonpartizn organiza-
tons working for the improvement of
city government in America by practical
participation in municipal politics, as
!. senlbled in conference at Chicago, jan
II and ~, 1906, in the name of the
United Cities Of America, declare the
} following:
We hold that the lines of cleavage in
municipal politics have no reation to the
lines Of cleavage in natiOna politics.
} We hold that the intrusion Of nationa
= politics in municipal government brings
} with it issues absolutely foreign to the
, proper functions and reasonable aspira
lions of the national parties, and other:
? which are allen to the interests of the
municipalities, thereby tending to de
u. grade the. national parties and seriously
T injure city government.
We further hold that more efficien
: means should be provided whereby thu
, will of the majority of the people DELHI
; erately formulated and expressed should
> control municipal policies.
i We further hold that there is urgen
need of fixing direct responsibility O.
municipal officials to the people and o
s reducing to the lowest practicable mum
;, Der the city offices to be filled by cleo
f ton. ..... :.
l We further hold that the merit system
| 70 appointment has demonstrated, where
2 ever honestly applied, that it tends tore
9 suit in the selection and retention II
office of a higher grade of men than ar
obtained by other means; that 1t opens
, the public service as an honorable career
s free from the distractions of politics, ant
that it tends to relieve the citizens from
the possibility Of tyranny from office
holders. .. Z --.E...
Holding the propositions advanced to b
! self -evident in theory and amply demon
r strated in practice, we, therefore, nov
& urge in the interest Of better municipa
conditions: g.. !. -. ........,
F'irst-rhat cities should be granted tn
l. largest possible measure Of home rule
D. subject only to such general statutor
d safeguards and restrictions as may b
e | necessary to protect the general interest
D. of the state as distinguished from tn
% local interests of the municipality. "
it Second-That the party column on TIL
le ballot should be abolished; that the name
j. of candidates for a single office should b
is printed on the ballot under the designa
l. ton Of that office, and that 1t should b
% made impossible to vote straight part
~ ticket va single mark or cross.
10 Third-That municipal nominations an
"a elections should be completely separate
a. from state and national nominations an
elections, and should occur at differe1
times. And that nominations for all mt
nucipal officers be made by petition or
ID an efficient method Of direct primaries.
81 Fourth-That the number of elect
81 municipal officers should be reduced {
far as practicable, always preserving Il
u right to elect members Of the muntcip
81 legislative body or city council.
& Fifth-That the merit principle shou
81 be applied to all departments Of city az
Isl ministration under practical and efficiel
q civil service laws.
b In conclusion, this conference, realizir
81 the vital Importance of the successful 81
81 luton of the municipal problems now col
b fronting US, earnestly hopes that consi'
81 GRAFTON and discussion Of them may col
81 tinue, and to that end urge the formatit
"a of more organizations devoted to loo
81 issues which shall cooperate In all pra
tical ways to secure the enactment
laws embodying the principles outlined.