Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-21
PRESIDENT OF ORGANIZATION.
Other Prominent Men Speak Before Joint
Convention of the National Municipal
League and Am. Civic Association.

Providence, r. T.. Nov. 20.-An all
dress On government by Public Opin-
ion" delivered By Attorney General
Charles J. Eonaoartc. president of the
National Municipal League. was the
most interesting feature Of the second
days proceedings of the convention,
whc;l is being held here by that or
f,anization in conjunction with tho
American Civic Association. During
the day the league after re-clccting its
president and most of its other officers
discussed the subjects of taxation and
tie election reform. The speakers in
cluded among others Lawson Purdy.
president of the Order of Taxes and
Assessments in New York; Charles T.,
SpraGue of New York; Henry r. New
comb of Washington. d. c., and Dr..
Del1s f. Wilcox Of Detroit.
the American Civic Association held
ind. pendent meetings during the tiry
in the auditorium of the Brown Union.
At these meetings the subject of "F'or-
est Preservation was discussed by
Herbert w. Smith of Washington, D.
G.; II. Bragg. u Montreal journalist.
VINO spoke on Improvement in Cana
dian municipalities" and papers on
tl.e "RcIati,E Of Railroads to Civic
Improvement were presented by
J"St pl 7. Richards, general engineer
| of the Panama Railroad. and George
W. Nieden. mechanical superintendent
ot Tic New York, New Haven & Hart
ford Railroad.
round table conference in connec-
ton with tie associations campaign
hx,L LII
held during this morning.
Until late today Attorney General
i"rapaftc. although president of the
Eational Municipal League. had been
unable to come here to take part in
the leagues proceedings and when Re
rose to speak tonight. after he had been
brio fly introduced by J. Horace McFar-
land the chairman. he was given q
hearty greeting ,v the big audience as
scrubbed in Sayes hall. air. Bonaparte
said in part:
In d pnpul3r government 4 healthy
opinion is not merely tho al'y Of all
really useful and sensible rCforlncrS: in
such a government it is the injispens-
bic instrument through and b" which
all really useful and sensible reforms
are brought about and made lasting.
To he sure what We mean by 'Public
Opinion" we must know what We mean
by "Opinion'' and what we mean ny
"Pui,lic": and in both cases. this may
best be shown by pointing ont what We
| don't mean by tn SO terms. THUS Nc
must q StinGIiSl .'opinion'' from SER
| tim"nt from prciudic" and from merely
| fictitious clamor.
| During the past two months have
| seen published allegations to the ctf"c'
| that public opinion condemns capita
punishment consider these allcg!
| tons wholly erroneous. What is mis-
| taken for public opinion in thi.; inStfnc.
| is a sentimental rcpugnanrc to capita
sentences. and indeed to any form oi
punishment Involving physical pain. en-
tertainnl by Il small, but obtrusive and
noisy portion of the community anG
! inspired mainly Ey q morbid Sympath>
with wrong d"crS. which fortunately
for our country is shared by very few
| Americans.
On the other hand in certain parts n
,hc Union there undoubtedly exists /;
genuine and widespread popu!I" anti
| pothy tn black red or yellow men. evei
! +, some white men of foreign birth: :n'
| its consequences are 4 source OF anNl
ETY. and regret to all thoughtful an'