The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-20


pubic TO the serious assaults being made
upon Niagara Falls.
| 'The best summary OF the work of the
American Civic association In regard 10
Niagara preservation Is given In the
| statement that through its efforts. In con-
| junction with the other interested forces,
the attempted diversion, as reported by
! the InternationtH Waterways commission
March 16, 1906. of $1,000 cubic feet per Sec
| ond has been changed 10 maximum
present estimated authorized diversion OF
| 32 $50 cubic feet per second, and this un-
| der rigid federal control and not under
| lax state control.
"The future work OF the American Civ
| Nc association and OF all those Interested
| i'm preserving as nearly unharmed as pos
sible this great scenic heritage land
take II that this side OF the contest IN
cludes at least 81 per cent or the Amer-
can population) must be toward the Sc,
| curing OF treaty with Canada TO avoid
further dissertations and, i hope, toward
the creating at Niagara OF great pupnc
park. in connection with which all exist
1 ing power development may conunue,
but back and out OF sight. so far as the
immediate vicinity OF the falls Is con-
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
The opening session of the National Mu-
nicipal league was called TO 6rder by
Vice President Charles Richardson OF
Philadelphia In Manning hall at o'clock
with nearly 70 delegates present. He pre-
sented Clinton Rogers Woodruff, the
league secretary.
Mr. Woodruff presented a review OF the
situation as related to leagues en-
deavor and scope. 1t was not In its
entirety. but excerpts OF the more i'm
portant facts and conclusions were given.
| The review was presented under the gen.
| eral title THE Battle for the Better
ment" He touched upon conditions In
Providence. Referring to Mayor Nc
Carthy's plan OF appointing an advisory
board Governor Hughes of New York,
he said, represented the new polticai
spirit which was abroad In the land.
Mr.. Woodruff declared that the one
overshadowing fact in San Franciscos
affairs has been the proof that the pub
lie service corporations had debauched It's
government by bribing the SUPERVISORS
and other municipal officers. He stated
that the carnival OF corruption wnlch mas
held sway in San Francisco In the last
six years has resulted In the lowering OIL
the city's morals almost to the zero point.
Mr.. woodruff told OF the agitation
against dishonesty and the results thereon
in public life in Pittsburg, Peoria, III, ana
Harrisburg Pa, in connection with the
state Capitol scandals there, and rever-
sion to conditions approaching the chaotic
in st. Louis, Mo. He also dealt praisingly
with the New Jersey agreement against
bribery and elections.
reform. declaring that Boston has not
been as CONSPICUOUS a factor along pro-
gressiye political lines as in other fields or
activity, notably civic Improvement, re-
ferring to the Investigations OF the nm
ancial commission.
.It is the old story OF the prostitution
of the public for party and personal ad-
vantage" he said, resulting In mel
ficiency, corruption and the degraoaiioh
of the public service.
"Providence. however. has for a num-
Der of years past displayed commendable
independence, usually elecung a mayor
from the minority party, and with COM
mendable frequency re-electing trieo OH
cials respective OF party designation. Cn-
fortunately the custom, for such IL mas
almost become, of choosing mayor from
the opposition party, is fraught with very
little practical administrative advantage,
for the city ~ mainly governed through
the council> and through state commits
sions.
PRAISES MAYOR MCCARTHY.
'The present incumbent of the mayor
atty, Hon. p. J. Mccarthy, has adopted a
policy designed TO Offset the disadvan-
tages OF the anomalous position in which
he is placed, in that he can make no APP
pointments except by the advice and
consent of the city council, which. II II
is unable to agree to the mayors nomina-
tions, Is empowered to elect somebody on
its own hook. Mayor Mccarthy has
chosen an advisory board or cabinet Sc
lected from among the most capable and
prominent men of the city and without
regard to their party politics. They repre-
sent all classes and are able to give ex-
pert testimony in all the different direc-
tions in which the mayor is called upon
to decide. They are men OF such stand
ing that their recommendations. especial
ly IL unanimous, cannot lightly be turned
down for partisan reasons"
Mr. Woodruff found in Gov. Hughes OF
New York the great overshadowing issue
OF the state. mot only has every sound,
progressive municipal movement In New
York beee helped by his action. he said,
but In all parts OF the land. He pre-
eminently represents the new political
spirit which is abroad. He also lauded
the selection of Tom l.. Johnson as mayor
of Cleveland as an instance of no-parti-
sanship rarely equalled and spoke with
complimentary mention OF the reelection
of Brand Whitlock as mayor of Toledo,
10.
o BRAND wHITLoCK.
Brand Whitlocks paper on 'The Evil
Influence OF National Parties and Issues
in Local Elections was read by Robert
Treat Paine, Jr, of Boston, in part as
follows:
"Mr. President and Gentlemen--In CIV
ing you this afternoon the grounds for
my belief that national parties and ma
tional issues should be excluded from
municipal contests, II is but fair to say
at the outset that ] speak from the stand
point OF one who believes in fundamental
democracy: In democracy with "a little
d. I'm a government i'm which all men
have a voice. To me the cure for all
the ills from which cities suffer is not. as
many suppose, less democracy, but more
democracy.
IL should say that the first step toward
municipal reform-real reform-is the ex-
clusion Of national parties from municipal
politics.
If were asked 20 pick>out and desig-
nate the man who is responsible for the
Ills OF our cities, the man who Is re-
sponsible for our being here this after
noon engaged In an effort to do some-
thing TO correct these Ills, would desig-
nate not the boss. not the politician, not
the lobbyist OF the street car company.
but. instead. the man who in municipal
elections always votes the straight party
ticket. IL can be said OF these men that
A. g. h.