Public Reform and Municipal Government.

Fourth : As all people desire good govern ment, and as public reform is an effort for good government, therefore, in a republican form of government, where all governmental power, in theory at least, is obtained from the consent of the governed, all reformatory movements must get their inspiration and momentum from the people. Fifth : The effective method of accom plishing real reform in a representative form of government, therefore, is by direct appeal to the public conscience, primarily at the caucus and at the polls, and secondarily through the press and on the rostrum. Sixth: An unselfish and patriotic spirit, as well as wisdom, courage and integrity, must characterize and be prominent in the qualifi cations of the true reformer. Seventh : Many meritorious reforms are inaugurated, which become odious to their friends because of the insincerity and du plicity of some of the would-be promoters of the same. Hence it is of the very first im portance that a reform movement ally itself with genuine friends of unquestioned motives and altogether above suspicion; and this alli ance should begin with the inception of the proposed movement. Eighth : Organized municipal reform, while ostensibly seeking better municipal government, sometimes recognizes the most objectionable features of selfishness, seeks to obtain relief without any organized or sys

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tematic appeal to the masses, abstains from the field of practical politics in the best sense, declines to do any detailed work, and makes municipal reform odious by reason of the un doubted duplicity of some of its more promi nent spirits who " manage " it, thus stamping it as unworthy of popular support or confi dence. Finally : The legitimate province of a municipal reform movement includes the study of the various problems which are engaging public attention. A partial list of subjects would include street railway sys tems, steam railroad lines, electric lighting and gas plants, water-works, telegraph and telephone lines, conduct and management of hospitals, libraries, reading-rooms, art-gal leries, public baths and amusements, methods of letting and getting contracts for public work, investigation of the manner in which official duty is discharged, and many other questions which will suggest themselves as the work continues. And this movement implies not only a study of municipal ques tions, but also the pushing into public notice the result of important investigations which the facts seem to warrant, supplemented, in some cases, perhaps, by suggestions and re commendations looking to the more efficient administration of the municipal government. In this way the municipal reform movement awakens the intelligent interest of the people and becomes the people's movement.