Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-11-24
FRANCHISE HOLDER
A PUBLIC SERVANT
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT A
GREAT SUCCESS BUT NOT
sELF-oPERATWE.
SPEAKER BEFORE NATIONAL MI
NicsPAL LEAGUE ENDORSES
WISCONSIN IDEA.

CihcInnaIty NOV. l7.-Clinton Rogers
Woodruff, Of Philadelphia. secretary
of the National Municipal league, in
his address at the convention of that
organization yesterday, declared
charter revision and nomination re-
form to have been the two most con
spicuous tendencies in a year of IN
paralleled municipal activity. He
pointed out that it was matter of no
small moment or Importance when 1873
cities within two years seriously con
sidered the question of charter build
ing and rebuilding. The spread of
the commission form of government
had been rapid and Widespread in the
period covered and shows how munich
pal students, legislators and admins
traitors are seeking some effective so
luton of the complicated difficulties of
the modern municipal problem.
After years and years of founder
ing between scandalous suhservi. ncy
to corporations on the one hand, and
ignorant, or vicious or dishonest at
tacks upon them on the other, the pro-
gressive communities of the country
have recently been coming to the i'm
evitable conclusion that to get this
business of the people attended TO
promptly and satisfactorily, it is neces-
sary to entrust it to small and wen
paid commissions composed of compe-
tent men charged with due power and
responsibility" said Mr.. woodruff.
After pointing out how the amount
of grating that had been exposed dur
ing the year was appalling, Mr.
Woodruff declared that these investi-
cations, grand jury inquiries, indict-
ments and convictions mean that the
American people are tired of the old
condition of affairs and are insisting
on new deal. They are, said ne,
"repudiating the condition of stand
ards of the past generation and es-
tahlishing new and higher ones"
'There is one danger" Mr.. Wood
ruff declared, (which advocates of the
commission form of government must
guard themselves against-thaf is the
feeling that it constitutes a panaeea
for all municipal ills. In the words OF
one of the principal proponents of the
commission form of government in
Galveston, The commission form is
all right, it is an important, an UNI
qualified success, but no plan, can be
devised which is self-operatiVe, or
W hich will relieve the people from the
res yonsibilities of elf-goperument' ,"
Tie speaker said that the merit
system has been a very conspicuous
feature of the later form of municipal
charters. In fact, all the charters
which are based on the Des Noines
and the plan contains
admirable civil service provisions
Mr.. Woodruff said that a consplcur
Gus feature of the movement for the
form is the impetus which
it has given to the agitation for the
short ballot, the elector being called
unon TO choose but five officials
charged with the duty of carrying on
the whole government of the munich
pality.
As to direct primaries, Mr. Wood
ruff asserted that some advocates of
direct nominations had been disposed
to consider the enactment of the, law
as the beginning and end Of their
work, overlooking the fact that the H.
rect primary is an opportunity not
cure. The most that good laws can do
is to make it more difficult for the re-
dictionary elements to promote evils.
and easier for the progressive ele-
ulents not only to prevent and cure
them, but easily and effectively TO ad-
vance the general welfare of the eon2-
munity
In discussing franchise questions,
Mr.. Woodruff said that one of the
pressing needs OF thee present is 60
compel by whatever legitimate means
are necessary, the frank and full ad-
mission by franchise holdairs and pub
lie utility companies that they are
public servants and are exercising a
public function as trust. "Tlha esfao
lishment of commissions to loc6 after
the utilities. to provide the drafting oil
franchises, and to furnish information
to other authorities is most excel
lent means to the accomplishment oil
this end" the speaker said.
Mr.. Woodruff asserted that
healthy Increment fer general home
rule has been inaugrrated in Wiscon
sin. The vote in Boston on the two
plans submitted by the recent legisla
ture was referred 20 as a signihcan'
concession to the demand for Local