THE SCBANTOJf TRTBUH'E SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 16, 1895.
Light on the Subject
Of -IliLiiiniidpai Reformo
;:Vv Interesting Summaries of Some off the Papers
Read at the Recent Cleveland Conference.
Tha (widespread! Interest nowadaya
manifested In the subject of improved
city government Justifies more atten
tion to the proceedings the recent
Cleveland conference of the National
Municipal league than could be given
In our telegraphic reports during the
three days" sessions. Below we give
short abstracts of five papers, dealing
respectively with the city governments
of Washington, D. C, Detroit, Chatta
nooga, Seattle and Columbus, O. ,
( 'T.
Tho Government of Washington.
The municipal condition of Washing
ton was treated by Frederick L. Sld
dons, who Introduced his paper by a
careful and detailed review of the four
kinds of government that has marked
its history, the first three covering the
period of 1871. when the present form of
n. board of three commissioners went
Into effect, consisting of the civilians
appointed and confirmed by the senate,
and an officer of the engineer corps,
also designated by the president. The
870.000 persons, white and colored, who
make up the population of the District,
are under the rule of three men who
appoint and dismiss all subordinates,
except two assistants to the engineer
member (designated like himself from
the state corps In the army), and teach
ers In the schools.
Under the direction of the commis
sion all assessments for taxation are
made and taxes collected; all contracts
for school and fire engine houses are
awarded; and also for making streets
and other Improvements and repairs;
school teachers and superintendents,
all police and fire department officers
are also appointed, and with the excep
tions noted not an official In the Dis
trict has on existence, except at the
will of the commission. Congress, how
ever. Is the legislative power Jrt the
District. In other words. It Is the board
of aldermen and common council, and
from it is obtained all authority to spend
the money raised by taxation and all
other legislation. All money i3 han
dled by the treasurer of the United
Btates, and the treasury accounting
officers pass on all District accounts,
for the reason that the federal govern
ment furnishes half the money for the
District's expenses; also It Is the owner
of more than half the District's taxable
property.
Congress Is supposed to consider the
making of laws for the District on threa
or four days In a month, but so great
has become the apathy and Indifference
to local legislation that "District Day"
has become a signal for emptying both
house and senate, and the managrrs
of the local bills, with increasing diffi
culty, struggle for recognition, a hear
ing and a quorum; while In the District
committees, the absence of a quorum
frequently precludes consideration and
preparation of needed local measures.
There are no circumstances to war
rant a different form of municipal gov
ernment for Washington than would
be considered desirable for any other
city of its dimensions In the country.
The present form is a source of increas
ing dissatisfaction and the utter failure
of congress as a municipal legislative
body threatens the future of the Dis
trict. And yet It should not surprise
thinking persons that a body charged
with the parliamentary affairs of 70,
000,000 people and formulating currency
and tariff policies today, finds difficulty
tomorrow In considering whether It
will grant an appropriation or pass an
ordinance affecting a community of
less than 800,000 persons. This never was
contemplated by the constitution mak
ers and certainly congress Is not adapt
ed to such legislative duties.
As to the executive department, Mr.
etddons says the commissioners have
been, In, the main, men who are hon
est, alt least to the extent that It has
never been charged that they personal
ly profited by their positions at the
public expense. But only one section
of the city, the "Northwest," has ever
been- represented on the commission,
and no men not satisfactory to the
"real estate ring," so called, can be
nominated or confirmed as a member
of the board. Corporations owned or
controlled by the "ring" are treated
tenderly and violations of the law by
them meet with but feeble rebuke.
Mr. Slddons' objections to the general
conduct of affairs were carefully con
fined to the system, not the individuals
In control, and set out with much clear
ness the features, which, he claimed,
would not be tolerated for a minute In
any other city In the land. Particular
ly was this said to be true of the mill
tarlsm which dominated the conduct of
departments, by reason of the presence
on the commission of an officer of the
regular army. With the great mass of
the people he never becomes acquaint
ed; If they venture Into his official
presence with petitions he wearies of
their importunities. If they criticise he
frets, and if they censure, they are the
"Proletariat." Arbitrary and auto
c ratio as ta the commission It is
etrangely weak and Inefficient when
It attempts to deal with the rich and
powerful street and steam railway cor
porations. Infinitely stronger than the
commissioners or citizens are the rail
roads on the floor or in the lobby of
congress.
Mr. Sidelong also considers the varl
ous associations which exist for the
protection of the section of the District
which they epecally represent, and
says that the effort to have "Home
Rule" again permitted Is hampered by
the fear that the financial contribution
from the national treasury will be wltii
drawn, which prevents many person
who find existing conditions unbeara
ble from advocating a change. These
associations have all sprung into ex
latence since the people were deprived
of a voice In their government and are
an unconscious protest against so un
American a system of municipal rule.
II.
Tho Government of Detroit. .
Donald D. MacLaurln, of Detroit,
Mich., '' acting president of the
Clvlo Federation, read a paper
treating of the government of
that city. Its legislative de
partment, he said, consists of a com
mon council of two aldermen from each
of sixteen wards, with control of streets,
granting franchises for railways, gas
and electric lighting, ferries, the regu
lation of expenditures and the provid
ing otf funds for boards and commis
sions,' etc. A few years ago the experl
, ment of having an upper and a lower
; house was tried and abandoned after
four years of unfortunate experience.
The action of the council is subject to
the vote power of the mayor in ex-
: re-
her
IJUIIVU ,U V . 1 1 ..V.K ... - - " T
check on Its power is the board of est!
mates, forty members, which meets In
April without pay to pass on appropria
tions for the ensuing year. This board
Is one of the most satisfactory institu
tions of the city government.
While the mayor, elected for two
years, appoints certain members of
boards and commissions, he serves on
them only in an advisory way. The
city Is somewhat handicapped because
of the Independent powers of these
boards, wnien rrequenuy conic m tun
tact, which causes unfriendly strife and
expensive litigation. Perhaps what the
city most needs Is some centralization
of these boards so that there may be
greater harmony In plan and execu
tion. '
After a description of tho Judiciary,
the paper took up tho execution and
o.l.nlniaton Mnn nif llloilWH. liar t Iclllar-
ly with relation to saloons, gambling,
and the social evil. With reference to
saloons the several departments
charged with the enforcement of tne
law fi.lt tHat other departments were
responsible for violations and that
their own hands were especially
i. .i... ,..mKiio- institutions it was
stated that only five of the most promi
nent had of late years been permitted,
and that recently even these had been
closed. As to the social evil me ponujr
nf the nollce has been to keep it under
stringent surveillance. All Inmates of
houses are known ana regisieieu. i
far as an evil can be regulated that has
been done In Detroit. The district at
torney more than a year ago deter
mined If any persons are allowed to
sell liquor they should take out a 11-
.mi from his efforts It was
claimed that over Jl'5.000 had .been put
Into the treasury ol wayne wum,.
But examination proved me
amount to have been less man
.1 unnA t Via nnl Icb department this
uim iKut f r
year announces that any house that
can secure a license must oe -a
saloon and will be allowed to conduct
only a saloon business.
. i.i rm,iv fnr this sore on
the body politic, Mr. MacLaurln termed
the closing of-the nouses as iu.-i.ns
a scattering of the evil, not Its eradica
tion, and forcefully said: "There can
.,ii..oi nii tiermanent cure that
UC I1U
does not provide another chance to the
Magdalene; that does not uemmy
.., .i..ii ntnnilnril In the practice
of society; that does not provide a res
cue and a salvation Tor tne sinning w
man as well as for the sinning man."
Regarding Mayor Pingree. Mr. Mac-
, --i.i ht wiiilp he has arrayed
lUUllll DtlH fc..v -
against him the corporations, he has
the masses of the people wnn mm.
has been amply demonstrated by his
repeated re-election by higher majorl
elaboration of the
agricultural Idea, the "Pingree Potato
Farm," as it is caneu, i
hdnir a most beneficent
mcincu v.. "
idea, which has resulted in sending Into
the country numbers of poor people
who, finding that the earth can yield
them food, have taKen to wrauis
iUnl r-1 AAtn fort nnd the relief of the
1 1 1 v 1 1 .
overcrowded portions of the city.
III. '
The Government of Chattanooga,
.rr-i m,ommPiit of Chattonooga,
Tenn., furnishes an apt illustration of
v ..u of state interference
with a municipality," was the opening
statement of George W. Ochs- paper on
condition of the city he
'I UC IllU""-'!'
ut0ri "It also clearly demon-
-t-otu it hut It IS nOl BO niUUIl Wic vwi.
ia,u n nrtroer spirit among the
authorities that produces the best re
sults In a city administration. ji i.
.o.aiv session of the state legis
lation for the past fifteeen years the
-if., k.i-tnr baa been cliangea so mui
it Is now little less than a crazy-qullt
patchwork of enactments. At prai
k,. .,,-r. at.-Lto executive boards, the
police commission nnd the board of
public works, Dotn appoiro.i-u uj n.
,.in.nr The citv legislative body
consists of mayor and aldermen, the
latter two from each ward, eigm Deins
.in ,arh vear to serve for two
years. Through legislative interfer
h mivnr is stripped of all execu
tlve power, having only a suspensory
veto which can ne annuncu uy . ma
jority of the aldermen. He has no ap
pointive powers. All the city officials,
oorit h pntrlneer nnd street force,
are elected by the aldermen annually.
,.r.,i,n untimpnt has been crystal
lizing for some time toward local self
.,Mimnt' an effort was mnde at the
recent session of the legislature to
abolish the board or puonc worm, uui
it was defeated by Interested partisan.
mi n mi n that this national as
sociation has so brilliantly Inaugurated
can direct its energies to 'no end
that will be of more practical good than
to promote a movement to stop all
-i ,.. ,nni,.rinif vv ntitf leirlHlat urea.
Cirdl Itri -i. . ...... ... "J .. ,,,
New York has started the ball rolling
v., .riuino- tho miivor a fifteen days' sus
pensory vote, and classifying cities. If
charter changes were mnue Bt?iii.-iaj m
u ..info a innnl member or a squad
COll "l"1-!
of politicians could not mould charter
amendments like wax, ror mere woum
elites concerned."
Mr. Ochs next reviewed the baneful
effects of delegating to the board of
aldermen the election of city officers,
because in a close result politically, a
deadlock lasted rfnr more than two
months, being finally broken only by
the courts. On all accounts he npsert
v.,f tho annniritlve oower should be
tju incut ' " l i -
centralized In the mayor so as to se
cure strict accountability. . "igni
ho nomnrked. "It should be noted
that true municipal reform can result
ily from the good cltlzensnip oi gooa
citizens and not from legal theories, or
legislative enactment. Put good men
in office and you will have good gov-
n ,hcithor vonr munictnal laws
be good or bad." f his he Illustrated by
showing that during tne nnanciai
stringency of test year D8 per cent, of
Chattanooga's floating debt was wiped
out in the twelve months without rals
tho tnT lew and the actual ex
penses of the city were reduced 21 per
-An im . nnnum. Moreover. In six
months next following the tax levy
t .1 RnallniF ,ioh.t wltoH
Was HlWcrcUi ilire iw"B '
out and a further reduction In city ex
penses, amounting to over 60 per cent,
in two years, was made "How was
this accomplished? uy tnose in au
v.vriittr riovntlnff nersonal. consclen
tlous attention to the affairs of the cor
.. ii n - hv civlnr Its business the
same scrutiny, the same thought' and
consideration tnat tney gave to pri
vate and personal concerns. In 1892
we had twenty-three officials to per
form certain functions of the city's
nendltures. a two-thirds vote being
government, who wore paid 116,361 per
year. In 1893 all were abolished ex-,
cept nine, who receive $3,610, a sav
ing in salaries alone in three years of
over 70 per cent., and yet the city busi
ness is as carefully attended to as It
ever was. , 1
"The good citizen must be taught
that no city government can rise above
the level of those governed. He must
be taught that theories do not work re
form; that these can be attalnod only
by energies in civil government."
IV.
Tho Govornracnt of Seattle
"Thte constitution of ithe state of
Washington, which was admitted to the
union Nov. 11, 1890, provides that cities
having a population of over 20,000 may
frame their own charter, through a
commission of fifteen freeholders elect
ed by the voters of-such city." With
this Introduction to his paper on the
'Municipal Condition of Seattle," VA-
ward O. Grnves explained that the pro
vision was taken advantage of by his
city, which elected Us charter-makers
May 31, 1891, the commission of fifteen
being composed of distinguished citi
zens chosen unanimously without re
gard to party. This was at the time
of "boom" tendencies in western Wash
ington, and the demand was for a char
ter suited to a great city, and It was the
general belief that a complex form of
government, to secure division of re
sponsibility and prevent "centraliza
tion" of power was needed. A cum
brous, costly and Irresponsible system
was the result, the charter of 40.000
words being divided lots 23 articles and
260 sections. The modern tendency
towards simplicity and concentration
of nuthorlty was Ignored by both peo
ple and charter framers.
Mr. Graves then gave a most ex
haustive presentation of the composi
tion of the thirteen departments of the
government, In addition to the board
of aldermen and house of delegates,
(one member of each house being elect
ed from each ward); the aldermanic
term being four years, and that of the
delegates two years. ' Under the origin
al charter the board of public works
was the chief center of Jobbery and
Intrigue. A recent amendment has,
however, rendered the department more
efficient and free from scandal. The
fire department has likewise been a
theater of Intrigue, and at the present
time one of the commissioners Is on
trial before the mayoron charges which
the latter himself preferred.
The police board has also suffered
from the complexity of conditions for
Its government, and there have been
collisions without number between
the mayor and the commissioners par
ticularly regarding the chief of police.
While the charter makes the police
commission appointive and non-partisan,
the fire commission Is elective and
therefore partisan. Under a ruling or
the courts that members of commis
sions cannot be removed without a
trial, mayors have had to adopt the
farclal proceeding of preferring charges
anil then being themselves both Judge
and Jury on the trial; and while then
they have been able to remove tne
inimical officials, even this subterfuge
Is now being tested In the courts, and
altogether affairs are In a state of con
stant upheaval. In spite of tho man
ner, which repeated examples show, or
the way the mayor is hedged about Dy
restrictions and hampered by the legis
lative bodies of the city, the people
charge him with responsibility and
make small allowances for tne manner
in which he Is handicapped by the
charter.
Nothing could show more strikingly
than Mr. Graves' presentment, the evil
effects of pretty nearly all the vloloua
features of municipal administration
of which reformers are trying to get
rid. For he presents examples of gov
ernment by commissions, appointive
and elective, partisan and bi-partisan,
confirmation by one or both branches
of the city government, the tying of the
mayor's hands at every turn, and all
of which have borne their natural fruit
of Inefficiency, dissension and political
Jobbery.
Tho Government of Columbus.
D. E. W'llllams, In presenting "The
Municipal Condition of Columbus," told
of the superabundance of politicians In
the Ohio capital,- always "ready and
willing to render public service for a
consideration," nnd ho looked forward
as an early reform to the enactment of
a law which will send members of the
legislature, state officials and kindred
employes back to their respective lo
calities upon the expiration of their
terms of Bervlce; such a law now being
In force as regards convicts who have
completed their terms of Imprisonment.
The speaker suggested as a compro
mise, however, that the reform might
be effected by providing that the ex
offlclal ned not be required to go back
to his constituents if he would leave
the state. "Until some such provision
Is made," Mr. Williams continued, "our
city will continue to be a city of cltl
zens who are liable. at any moment to
break out with their old disease of itch
for office."
Mr. Williams narrated attempts to
reorganize the city government, by the
aid of the legislature, and stated that
every effort thus- made to gain undue
advantage has resulted In a change for
the better, not neres&arlly that the city
has had better officers or better gov
ernment, but by the process of contrail
zatton of power nnd simplicity of ma
chinery the people knew where to lo
cate responsibility. The speaker lik
ened the government of Columbus to
the so-called federal plan, the city hav
ing an executive, a legislature and a
Judicial department, the mayor being
held responsible for the'executlon or
non-execution of the ordinances, and
claimed that so far as form Is con
cerned the government of Col urn
bus is about what It should be, the
question of good government being now
a matter of good men.
THIS LAD WAS SLOW.
An Improhnhlo Tnlo About Messenger
noy I nuscd to Tips,
It was when Ambassador Bayard
made his brief visit home last winter,
A dozen newspaper men went down to
quarantine to meet him. They boarded
the steamship and discovered the am
bassador leaning against the rail, sur
rounded by a group of men and women.
The newspaper men decided not to
frighten him by a combined onslaught,
and appointed one of their number to
do the Interviewing. The delegate, it
happened, bears the time-honored name
of Smith. Calling one of the junior
assistant stewards, Mr. Smltfi handed
him his card, with the request to take
it to Mr. Bayard, at the same time
dropping a dime and a nickel as a tip
Into the boy's hand.
The lad hurried away while the re
porters awaited the Issue with compla
cency. In a few mlnutos he returned
and extended the card and the money
with these words: "Mr. Bayard sends
his compliments to Mr. Smith, and de
sires to state that while he has the
honor of the acquaintance of many Mr,
Smiths, he does not remember any' Mr.
Smith who pwes him 15 cents."
"W-what!" demanded the newsgather
ers In a body. "What In the name of
Horace Greeley have you done?" "Why,
I gave Mr. Bayard the card and the 15
cents as you told me to do, and told
him that you' sent them. That's all,"
replied the boy calmly.
WANTED TO BE HANGED.
Tho Prisoner Prcforrod That to Hearing
Joo lllackbiirn Make a Spocch.
At a dinner party some time ago
Joe Blackburn was present and In his
best form. Ho got a little the better
of Vice President Stevenson, where
upon the vice president assured the
company that he fully appreciated Mr.
lllackbiirn, In proof of which he told
the folloylng:
In a Kentucky town wnere joe was
going tojipeak there was a hanging set
for the same afternoon. Joe's arrival
was heralded abroad, and a large crowd
was on hand to hear the words of wis
dom and of eloquence which always
flow from a Kentucklan's lips. Finally
the speaker arrived. The hanging was
Mldeshow, and for the moment was
forgutten In the anxiety to hear the fa
mous orator. Hut It was not forgotten
long. Tho condemned man suddenly
Interposed:
"Mr. Hangman," he said, "If I re
member right I was sentenced to be
hung, not to hear Joe Blackburn speak.
1 request that you go on with the hang
ing." A LESSON IN PATRIOTISM.
Editor of Tho Tribune:
Sir Great praise hus been given in his
tory to the Spartan mother who said to
her son as he was about to go forth to en-
gago In tho battles for his country: "lie-
turn with your shield or upon It." Nor is
the praise undeserved. It whs a proper
incentive to bravery upon the Held of but
tle. It was tho bravery, however, of fatal-
Wn. Dread of being reproached with
cowardice, in modern parlance the dlnpluy
of the "white feather," whs the Incentive.
Fear of being charged with disgrace to
comrades and home and country, prompted'
tho giving of such Instructions.
Let a modern instance b submitted. On
Sunday, April 14, 18iil, a young mnn, thcrf a
student at the Northwestern (now Butler)
university, Indianapolis, was In attendance
at the Centrul Church of Christ In that
city when a dlsputch was received and
read by the pustor anndunclng the sur
render of Fort Sumter. The young man
repaired to his boarding place, packed his
books and clothes nd took tho earliest
train for his home at Kokomo. Four days
later, as an enlisted man In the first regi
ment organized In tho statu, he left home
for the active scones of war. As he left
the parental roof his mother, with tho
tender affection only a mother's heart can
manifest, grasped his rlyht hand firmly In
hers and with her left upon his shoulder,
said: "My son, you are going out to fight
the battles of your country. Remember,
do not forget your God, und never turn
your buck upon your country's Hag."
A more patriotic and lnsplratiug senti
ment never sprang from tho mind of man
or woman, and none more deserving to
be heralded abroad, as the Incentive by
which American youth were stimulated
to deeds of daring and heroism in defenso
of constitutional liberty. In grandeur of
putrlotic devotion It excels the advice of
the Spartan mother by as much ns tho
mid-day brilliancy of the king of light
transcends tho brightness of the flickering
gaslight.
This maternal benediction had its de
sired effect. Its recipient was an active
participant In many a forced march and
many a bloody conflict, In all of which he
was stimulated and cheered by its over
prcsent inspiration. It wus to him a guid
ing star, dnd though rebel bullets pierced
his body and shattered his constitution
for life, he still retains the aroma of his
mother's benediction, nnd transfers it as
a rich legacy to h'.s children.
The patriotic student, the dutiful son,
the gallant soldier on many battlefields
from 1SC1 to 18G5, the recipient of the high
est confidence from his comrades In battle
and the sharer of their support in civil life,
Is now an official In the city postofllce at
Washington, and ocupies the worthy nnd
responsible position of department com
mander of the Grand Army of the Repub
lic of the District of Columbia. More: He
deserves the highest position within the
gift of his comrades. A ready and hearty
response will alwnys be given when you
call for Major Marlon T. Anderson.
J. Frnise Richard.
Washington, June 14.
WELSH JOTTINGS.
Rev. Michael Williams, of Cllfynydd, has
received nn Invitation to become the pas
tor of Hermon Calvlnlstlc Methodist
church, Dowlals.
The library of tho late Rev. D. Morgan,
vicar of Penrhyndendrneth, was sold at
Portmadoc last week. A copy of Bishop
Morgan's Bible was bought by the Rev.
D. Jones, Pentrefelin, for Mr. Ignatius
Williams, for the sum of 25.
One of the most -successful Cymanfa
Ganu conductors Is Mr. D. W. Lewis, F.
T. S. C. He ha3 Just completed. his fiftieth
year, during ov?r half of which period his
services as an elsteddfodic adjudicator
have been constantly In request.
C. Meudwy Davles, tho musical adjudl
cator at Vardre eisteddfod recently, Is
the author of several musical compost
tions, ono being In competition at the
Llanclly National eisteddfod. We bellevo
Mr. Davles Is a brother of the Revs. Osslnn
and Kynon Davles.
Gwcfryl Meehaln, a poetess of singular
ability, was a daughter of Hywel Fyi-han
who lived at t'aer, near Bala. Sho flour
ished, according to Dr. VV. O. Pughe, be
tween 1OT) and 1480. She is accredited with
the authorship of the famous "Cywydd y
march glus."
Robert Beck, Upper Bangor, hns received
a communication from the executors of
the late Mrs. Maria Dpvls Ames, of 3,
York road, Great Yarmouth, slating that
tho deceased lady, by will, directed the
Bum of ffiOO to be paid to the North Wales
Bnptlst college, Bnngor.
Professor Hugh Williams, M. A., of Bala
college, has published In book form the
able address delivered by him before the
London Cymmrodorlon society recently
the Bubject being "Some Aspects of the
Christian Church In Wales During the
Fifth and Sixth Centuries."
David Cox's celebrated picture, "A Welsh
Funeral at Bettws-y-coed," was sold at
Christie's the other day for 2,400 guineas,
It had never been In a public sale before.
But it was once given as an art union
prize of the value of 20. Cox, during his
lifetime, was Ignored by the Royal acad
emy.
The many admirers of Mr. R. D; Black-
more's charming romances, "Lorna
,Doone" and "The Maid of Sker," will be
glad to hear that he Is writing a story
entitled "Slain by the Doones; a Record
of Exmoor?' which will form the leading
feature of a new annual to be published
in the autumn.
Another .loading London Congregational
pulpit Is likely to be occupied by a Welsh
man, the Rev. Thomas Nicholson, cf
Southampton (brother to tho seraphic
William Nicholson, of Liverpool), having
been called to the pastorate of the im
portant church at Bromley. Mr. Nlchol-
Bon, who began nis ministry at raiysarn,
labored for a while at Denbigh before
taking an English pastorate. He was
trained at Brecon college, and is a son-ln
law of its prlnclpsl, Dr. Morris.
A flood Suggestion.
Rochester, N. Y. John Davles, of this
city, took a severe cold and suffered pain
through the back and kidneys. His pny
slclan pronounced his case gravel, and
failed to help him. Dr. David Kennedy's
Favorite Remedy was recommended, and
after taking two bottles he considered
himself cured. It has never failed In this
or urinary troubles..
Business Mem 'Owe: a
Duty to the PuMlc.
Governor ricKInley.
The Rescue of Our
In a speech at Cleveland, last week,
to the visiting representatives of the
chambers of commerce of Ohio, Gov
ernor McKlnley said a number of ex
cellent things, which deserve, equally
With the speech of his which we re
printed last Saturday, to be afforded
the widest publicity. Said he: I
"These are times when the wisest
words are wanted and the careless
should be unspoken. I wish more than
ever In my life for the power to speak
the words which, at a time like the
present, are so much needed. The
people throughout the country are at
this moment giving more sober con
sideration to the duties of citizenship
than probably at any previous period.
They are studying conditions In na
tional, state and city governments.
They are reflecting upon their own
responsibility and power in relation
to these conditions, .having uppermost
in mind the possibility to Improve them.
' 'What can we do to better them?' is
tho Inquiry engaging every thoughtful
mind and which comes almost un
bidden from every tongue. The power,
as well as -the responsibility, the people
are beginning to realize, rests with
them. Their duty they want to know,
and knowing It, they are ready to do It.
Force or Public Opinion.
"Our government, national, state
and municipal, rests upon public opin
ion. Public opinion creates free gov
ernments and upholds them for good or
for 111. Public opinion however good, If
Indifferent has no vital force. When
aroused it may check an evil In public
administration, but the evil will resume
its sway the moment the public senti
ment which arrested It lapses into in
difference. -Public opinion to secure real
reforms and hold them must not be fit
ful and spasmodic; It must be vigorous,
vigilant, steady and constant and as
sleepless In Its activity as the enemy of
right Is known always to be. Swift as
public Judgment sometimes is, and Just
ly is, in the condemnation of public of
ficials and public policies, something
more than this Is required. Execution
of the public will must follow the pub
lic Judirment. And this is only possituc
when the same public Is alert and de
termined that Its Judgment shall not ne
. . ..... , ..t - ll..tn ha
a cold tormaiity, oui a uv ius i"
respected and enforced.
"Zral after an election is quite a es
sential as before. The cause which was
successful at'the poll" demands con
stant zeal for Unpractical realization.
The beat agents of the popular will are
made better by the Incessant watchful
ness of their principals. Not watchful
ness alone, but support, reinforcement
and encouragement are necessary. Ths
battle Is only begun when the first line
of Intrenchment Is taken. The army
Is quite as m?cc6?ary In the engage
ments which are to follow. The elec
tion only determines public policy. It
has then to be carried out. It requires
the people co-operating continuously
with the public officers to put Into the
forms of law and administration their
declared purpose. The election settles
much or little dependent upon how the
election decrees are Interpreted and ex
ecuted. The election only declares the
people's purpose. After this must come
tha fulfillment, for the promises of the
election should always be sacredly
kept. Here comes 'the tug of war.'
Then Is net the time for relaxation on
the part of the citizen, but for renewed
and redoubted effort and vlgllnnca. If
then the people become Indifferent, you
may be sure the public officer, however
strong and tr.ue and well meaning, will
be Inadequate for the task. The offi
cial Is quick to catch the spirit of the
people.
The People's Business.
"Government of the people is the
people's business, and If they neglect
It, government and people both suffer.
The duty of the citizen does not end
yhon the polls are closed on election
day. He has, by tn? act or voting, per
formed an. Important duty, but tho 364
days of the year remaining each hns
Its own distinct duty, sometimes quite
as Important as the one on election day.
"Interest in public nffnlrs, national,
state; and city, should be ever-present
and active, and not abated from one
year's end to the other. No American
citizen is too great to te exempt from
any civic duty, however subordinate,
and none too humble to be exalted.
Evey public duty is honorable, and
every citizen should be subject to draft;
If the best citizens will not unite to
serve the state or city, the worst may
nnd generally will be In control. There
Is In every state and city a majority
In favor of the best government, nnd
when they fall to secure It, it Is becnusn
the majority Is Indifferent and without
unity of purpose nnd action. Business
men can not, with safety, stand aloof
from political duties. Their success or
failure In their own enterprises Is often
Involved In good or bad government,
The great danger to the country Is In
dlfferentlsm. Running Away from Duty.
"This menace often comes, from the
busy man or. mnn of business and
sometimes from those possessing the
most leisure or learning. I have known
men engaged in great commercial en
terprises to leave home on tho eve of
an election, and then complain of the
result, when their presence and the
good Influence they might properly
hnve exerted would have secured a
dlffereht and better result. They run
away from one of the most Bacred ob
ligations In a government like ours,
and Confide to those with less Interest
involved and less responsibility to the
community the duty which should be
shared by them. What we need "Is a
revival of the true spirit of popular
government, . the true American spirit
where all ijot a few participate ac
tively In government. We need a new
baptism of patriotism; and suppressing
for the time our several religious views
upon the subject I think we will all
agree that the baptism should.be by Im
mersion. There can not be loo much
patriotism. It banishes distrust and
treason, and anarchy flees before It. It
is a sentiment which enriches our Indl
vidual and national life. It is the
firmament of our power, the security of
the republic, the bulwark of our liber
ties. It mokes better citizens, better
cities, a better country and a better
civilization.
"The business life of the country is
so closely connected with Its political
life that the one Is much Influenced by
the other. Good politics Is good bust
ness. ' Mere partisanship no longer con
trols the citizen and country. Men who
think-alike, although heretofore acting
Jealously apart, are now acting togeth
er, and no longer permit former party
associations to keep them from co-ope-i
rating ' tor the public good. They are
Urges Them to Come to
Free Institutions. '
more and more growing into the habit
of doing in politics what they do in
business. Strong as tho party tie may
be, it is not so strong as the business
tie. Men would rather break with their
party than break un their business.
They prefer individual and national
prosperity to parly supremacy, and a
clean public service to party spoils.
Buty of Business Men.
"The business men can not stand
aloof from public affairs without preju
dice to his own business and without
neglecting the grave duties which he
owes the state. W'holesome political
activity in the business world Is promo
tive of general good. Interest In public
affairs by spurts Is probably better
than no Interest at all, but tho steady,
uninterrupted, everyduy Interest is the
crying need of tho hour and the only
path of safety. The best results In free
government can be had in no other
way.
"You can not hope to Improve public
affairs by withholding your own good
offices. If you would clear and purify
the atmosphere of our political life, you
must lend your own energy and virtue
and Intelligence and honesty to do it,
The general situation of the country
demands of the business men, as well as
the masses of the people, the most seri
ous consideration. We must have less
partisanship of a certain kind, more
business, and a better national Fplrlt
We need an aggressive partisanship for
country.
'We can not be too American In
spirit, too zealous for country, too ac
tlve in the political duties which rest
upon every citizen In a government like
our own. '
TODAY'S
$5 Men's French Calf Shoes,
$3.50
$4 Hen's Russet Shoes,
vnry
tine,
3.00
3.50
2.C0
1.10
.75
3.50
$5 Men's Kangaroo Shoes,
$3 Men's Fino Shoes,
$2 Men's Shoes,
$1.25 Men's Shoes,
$5 Ladies' Shoes, very flne,
$4 Ladies' Shoes, French Dongola, 2. 50
$3 Ladies' Shoes, -$2
Ladies' Shoes,
$1.25 Ladies' Shoes.
$1.50 Misses' Shoes,
2.00
1.25
.75
1.00
.69
.49
$1.09 Misses' Shoes,
75c. Schoolboys' Shoes,
CVCall and emmino these shoes. They are
of tho best of mnkea nnd our Bpocial oiler will
bom fit you. No troublo to snow goods.
SHOE
STORE,
140 Penn Avsnus.
rESTAIiLISHED 1B70.1
GILKCQL'S CARRIAGE WORKS.
Currlnc. Business Wngrn Hotwiring Ilorae
SlioeiiK. Pnint nnnd Vpho:tcrmir. Noa 819,
8'l, 3i, li-i Seventh stroat, Jcraoton. F.
HORSE - SHOEING
REMOVED.
DR. JOHN HAMLIN,
The Acknowledged Expert in
Horseshoeing and Dentistry,
is Now Permanently Located
on West Lacknwannu Ave.,
Near the Bridge.
THE SCR ANTON
VITRIFIED BRICK TILE
MANUFACTURING CO.,
MAKER) Of
SHALE PAVING BRICK
' AND BUILDING BRICK
Oflloo: 329 Washington Avcnno.
Works: Nav-Aug, Pn K. W. V. R. R.
M. H. DALE,
General Sales Agent, Scninton. Pa
WILLIAM S. MILLAR,
Alderman 8th Ward, Scranton.
ROOMS 4 AND 5,
Ga and Water Co. Building,
CORNER WYOMING AVE. ASP CENTER ST.
OFFICE HOURS from T.'IO a m. t B p. m.;
(1 hour lutorminion (or dinnur and lupper.)
Particular Attention Gl? en to Collections
Prompt Settlement Guaranteed.
Y0URBUSINESS IS RESPECTFULLY SOLICITED
Telephone No. 134.''
LAUREL HILL PARK HOTEL
Cool tuger, Ale, Wines, Liquors
, and Cigars,
FIRST-CLASS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS-
Opposite Laurel Hill tark.
N. COLLE, Prop'r.
lewis:
$3;oo.
Accident Insurance
-Shoes-
The best wearing, most stylish, and
tho greatest value of any $3.00 Men's
Shoes on tho continent
Best calfskin, dongola tops, solid
leather soles, with all the popular toes,
lasts and fastenings, and Lowla' Cork
Filled Boles.
Emo. pair contains a paid-up Accl
dent Insurance Policy for 9100, good for
90 days.
Wear Lewis'Accldentlnmiranee Shoes
onco and you will never chanu-o. The
insurance jjoes for "full measure."
Talk with your dealer who sells Lowla'
Shoes.
FOR SALE AT
Globe Shoe Store
227 LACKA. AVE., SCRANT0.1, PA.
EYANS & POWELL, Prcp'is
EVA M. HETZEL'S
Superior Face Bleach,
Positively Removes All Facial Bkmistm
No morn Freckles, Tan, Sunburn, Black
heads, Liver Rpots, Pimples and Sallow
Complexions If ladles will use my Su
perior Face Ul.'ach. Not a, cosmetic, but a
medicine which acts directly on the sk'.n,
removing all discoloration, an one of the
greatest purifying agents for the complex
ion In existence. A perfectly clear and
spotless complexion can be obtained in
every instance by Its us. Price, $1.00 per
bottle. For sale at E. M. Hetz?l's Halr
dresslnjf and Manicure Parlors. 330 Lack
awanna ave. Mu.il orders filled promptly.
Hi's I
BREWERY.
Uannfactnrers of the Celebrated
PILSENER
LAGER BEER
CAPACITY :
100,000 Barrels per Annum
CALL UP 8Mi
III
CO.
OILS..
VINEGAR
AND
CIDER.
OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE,
Ml TO 151 MERIDIAN STREET
M. W. COlTuTnS. M'ffV.
Stocks, Bonds,
and Grain,
Bought and sold on New York
Exchango mid Chicago Hoard
of Trade, either for cash or 00
margin.
G.'duB. DlMniCK,
41a Spruce Street.
LOCAL STOCKS I SPECIALTY.
Telephone 5002.
Atlantic Refining Co
1 . ,
Mannfacturore and Dealers in
OJ'feS
Linseed Oil, Napthas and Oaas.
lines of all grades. Axle Ore use.
Pinion Grease and Colliery Com
pound; also a large line of Par
afflne Wax Candles.
We also handle the Famous CROWN
ACME OIL, the only family safety
burning oil In tho market.
Win. Mason, Manager.
Office: Coal Exchngne, Wyoming Ave.
Works at Pine Brook.
ROOF TIMING AND SOLDERING
All done away with by tho use of HART
MAN'S PATENT PAINT, which consists
of Ingredients well-known to all. It can bo
applied to tin, galvanised tin, sheet Iron
roofs, also to brick dweltnn which will
prevent absolutely any crumblln, crack
ing or breaking of the brick. It will out
last tinning of any kind by many years,
and it's oost does not exceed one-Hfth that
of the cost of tinning. Is sold by the Job
or pound. Contracts taken by
ANTONIO 8&3TKAKN. S2! Birch It.