ings to the attention of those unable to be present. It may not be inappropriate to quote the words of a prominent city official who has had occasion to read the several volumes as they have appeared from time to time: "In my opinion, a copy of the Proceedings would prove of great value to every public official whose duties have a connection with the administration of municipal affairs.” The work of the Committee on Municipal Program is frequently referred to in the Proceedings of the Indianapolis and Columbus Conferences, and a number of the papers in the present volume relate to it. It is not at all unlikely that it will continue to occupy a very considerable portion of the League's time and attention, in view of the thoroughness and comprehensiveness with which it has covered the whole field of charter reform. The judgment of conservative critics, like The Engineering News, to the effect it would have, is being amply justified by the reception accorded to it by students and practical administrators alike. The cases in which there has been a direct recognition or acknowledgment of the value of the League's work are numerous and gratifying; and there are undoubtedly many more in which it has been of use. It is especially noteworthy that during the past year almost every movement for the improvement of municipal charters has drawn very largely upon the ideas advocated by the National Municipal League. New lines of investigation were instituted at Milwaukee. First, as to the question of instruction in municipal government in American educational institutions. Second, as to the question of uniform municipal accounting and statistics. Both are most important, and bid fair to occupy a large part of the League's efforts and energy during the coming two years. The present volume contains all the formal papers read at Milwaukee, and an accurate report of the discussion of them. They constitute an interesting group, and connect past efforts with future endeavors. PROCEEDINGS OF THE Sixth Annual Meeting OF THE National Municipal League AND Eighth National Conference for Good City Government HELD AT Milwaukee, September 19, 20 and 21, 1900. Hotel Pfister, Wednesday, September 19, 1900, 2.45 p. m. The meeting was called to order by the First Vice-President, Mr. Charles Richardson, of Philadelphia. CHAIRMAN: I think, in view of the near approach of a national election, it may be well to repeat the statement that the National Municipal League has nothing to do with national parties or national issues. Its sole object is the improvement of municipal government. It is true that the improvement of municipal government must ultimately lead to an improvement in national government, because it tends to develop political intelligence and conscientious citizenship in voters, and because it excludes the unfit from local politics, and in that way prevents them from getting a foothold on the ladder which might otherwise enable them to climb to national prominence and national influence. But these possible effects upon the national government are so desirable in themselves, so indirect and so entirely non-partisan that they can only be regarded as additional reasons for believing that the work of the National Municipal League should receive the careful consideration and the earnest co-operation and support of the members of all parties. The first number on our program is an address of welcome by Governor Scofield, of Wisconsin. Mr. Butler will make a statement in regard to the unavoidable absence of the Governor and also of the Mayor. MR. JOHN A. BUTLER, of Milwaukee: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen.-I have to say that I have received from the Governor of Wisconsin a most flattering and gratifying letter expressing appreciation and recognition of the honor of being invited to say words of welcome to this assembly, and instructing us to place his name upon the program, with the expectation of being here. Nothing but absolute impossibility is at the bottom of his non-appearance. We all know the Governor and we honor him, and we all regret that he is not with us. The Mayor of the city has also been unavoidably prevented from being present here, and will be represented this afternoon by General Joseph B. Doe, a member of the city government. GENERAL JOSEPH B. DOE: When the Mayor told me this morning just before dinner that he would be compelled to draft me this afternoon to fire a salute of welcome to the National Municipal League, I suggested to him that such little acquaintance as I had with military matters led me to think that it was not usual for a salute of welcome to be fired by the Light Artillery. However, he said that we must do the best we could, and he expected me to help him out in welcoming the Municipal League. Something rather odd occurred and I might as well tell it at this point, because if I do not the Mayor will. When he said he wanted me to welcome the Municipal League I said, "Where do they play? [Laughter.] I know the National League and have some acquaintance with the American League, and I have heard of the Interstate League, but I do not know in what cities the Municipal League play ball." "Oh," he said, “you do not want to let any such break as that appear in your remarks." He said, "This is a very important body." Thereupon I immediately proceeded to study the question, and since one o'clock I have found out all about it. It seems that the work of this body is repeating the history of the work of every body which is devoted to the purposes of reform. I take it from such information as I have been able to gather that this organization has proceeded far beyond the crank period. There never was a great reform that was not commenced amidst the storms of abuse and of scorn and derision, and I apprehend that this organization may have had some slight experience in that direction in its early history. But during the last two or three years at least the cause of municipal governmental reform has attracted so great and so widespread an attention, so close an examination, that thoughtful people no longer regard it as visionary, and so far from being an irridescent dream, it has become to the ward politician a most serious menace. I know very little about the details of the Model Charter or the various matters which have been pressed forward by this organization. An experience of some years in the legal department of various cities (we always say various, you know, when it is more than one) has given me some crude ideas upon the subject of the legal department of cities, and taking the chance of being tedious in speaking upon matters so familiar to all of you, I want to say a word or two, because this will be my only opportunity, as to my views upon that subject. I have been in one way and another, by way of apology and excuse for mentioning the matters, connected with the law |