The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-19
CIVIC REFORMERS HERE
FOR ANNUAL SESSIONS
lcontinued from Page one.l

CONTINUED from Page one)
ufacturing company. THE Work or the
American Civic Association" President
MacFarland; THE Work OF the Commits
sion" Charles NJ. Dow, president OF the
New York State Reservation at Niagara,
and John w. Langmuir. president OF the
Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park com
mission
s.lb o. m. Art club, Steeple street
National Municipal league: Smoker for
men.
At the Manning Hall exercises Gov.
James III. Higgins, in behalf OF the state
spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemcn--lt Is not
often that city and state are so signai-
ly honored as are Providence and Rhode
Island today. The distinguished charac-
ter and high reputation of the delegates
here present are sufficient I'm them
selves TO garantee us an intellectual and
economic entertainment for the next Few
days.
We believe that your mission at this
.ime is especially happy. The questions
which YOU are TO discuss and upon when
the nation looks to you for assistance.
arc paIticulariy important now. Some
one has declared that the greatest failure
OF the American republic is its municipal
mis- government. Recent revelations nave
dcne much TO Justify that charge. WIN
i'm few years past We have seen the
search light OF investigation expose De
fore our surs,'fed eyes, conditions In
certain of our large cities. not only de-
plorable. but which we believed impos-
sIble OF existence. We have seen the
peoples money squandered by hundreds,
thousands and millions at the hands Oh
city officials who were both incompetent
and CORRUPT. We have seen this condi-
tion under the administration af various
parties and various classes. We have
seen the wickedness OF capitalistic rulers
I'm Philadelphia equalled only by the
wickedness of the labor rules OF San
Francisco; the infamy Of Republican
municipal msmanagement equaned only
by that OF Democratic municipal mis-
management.
ALL NOT MISGovERNED.
am far form asserting that all the
cities In our country are so hideously mis-
governed. but enough OF them are to
arouse and alarm ali honest citizens OF
the republic. Your advent, therefore, and
Your labors strike responsive and
timely chord I'm public affairs 80 long as
human nature Is constituted as II Is. IL
Is probable that some misgovernment
must exist, and the principal problem beN
fore our people Is to minimize this evil
a. much as possible. Perhaps not until
~ millenium arrives shall we attain to
complete perfection. As Victor Hugo
once aptly put II, 'The least possible
amount of sin is the law of mankind. No
sin at all In but the dream OF angels.
II your deliberations will result In
pointing out TO a suffering and indignant
republic some system or plan by which
the errors OF the present may be reduc-
ed by which the possibilities for mis-
conduct and extravaganza may be les
sened, by which municipal economy In
some degree be promoted, then you will
indeed have performed an everlasting
and patriotic service.
RHODY'S WELCOME.
Rhode Island welcomes you today In her
broad and unselhsh spirit OF hospitality.
We assume no "holier than thou" atti-
tude, but we do claim for our ancient
commonwealth a fair degree OF good gov
ernment and loyal devotion TO civic ideals.
To all Interested in the betterment of pub
lie affairs. TO all who come among us. as
10 you. prompted by the noble purpose of
tightening the burdens OF the taxpayers
and Frightening the prospects and In
can citizen. Rhode Island extends a cor.
dial and wholesouled welcome.
May your sessions here tend In generous
measure to point the way 10 higher things
May you be guided by lofty and noble
principles OF public service, and at the
conclusion OF your proceedings. may yoi
carry back TO your respective communities
happy recollections OF our state and pleas
ing remembrances OF the welcome which
Little Rhody" extends to every visito
from far and near
MAYOR MCARTHY'S ADDRESS.
Mayor Mccarthy said In part:
Ladies and Gentlemen. Delegates OF tn
Municipal and Civic organizations-A
chief magistrate i save the honor o
greeting you in cordial welcome TO ou
beautiful city OF Providence. in the littl
state of Rhode Island. l bid you welcom
on behalf OF the city government and o
the people and we all thank you for IA
voring our city by holding your conven
ton here, because OF the many undevel
oped natural advantages our city pos
sesses. and the many municipal REFORM
which have been advocated many years
and require the attention OF the city gov
ernment and public. / am sure that thu
state and all our Rhode Island cities VII
benefit by your meeting here.
Your coming 20 Providence at this time
In most opportune. Our city Is increasing
rapidly In population and trade. oui
trade accommodation facilities are In
adequate, and stu the city government
has shown no indications OF being aware
Of the facts.
Our city Is In need OF about all the ad-
vantages and improvements you advocate
Fairgrounds for children. outdoor sum.
mer schools, public bathing accommoda.
tions, sanitary arrangement for public
schools, regulations for billboards. street
signs. business signs. public market. pub
lie comfort stations. rest and shelter fol
street car passengers. revision OF city
charter. equitable tax lawr, including Ia,
on mortgages equitable -yster % 90
counting 20 ths city for It's portion o.
gross earnings OF public service corpora
tions: reform IN method OF NOMINATING
candidates for public office: our Boarc
OF Trade should become n factor In mum
cipal government and development. city
a. large as Providence should have a rea
estate exchange. a commission on public
a. Ia Auf uf