OF THE COLUMBUS CONFERENCE FOR Good City Government AND FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL MUNICIPAL LEAGUE HELD NOVEMBER 16, 17, 18, 1899 CLINTON ROGERS WOODRUFF, EDITOR PHILADELPHIA NATIONAL MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (C.T. 154) Geo G. 10iught US1561-18 CAMBRIDGE, MAS NATIONAL MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OFFICERS President, JAMES C. CARTER, New York. First Vice-President, CHARLES RICHARDSON, Philadelphia. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: GIRARD BUILDING, PHILADELPHIA. DANDO PRINT. AND PUB. Co., PHILADELPHIA. INTRODUCTION. The leading papers published in this volume on the "Municipal Program," and the draft of the proposed Constitutional Amendments, and the Municipal Corporations Act form the final report of the Committee appointed at the Louisville meeting of the National Municipal League in May, 1897. This Committee was directed "to report on the feasibility of a municipal program which will embody the essential principles that must underlie successful municipal government, and which shall also set forth a working plan or system, consistent with American industrial and political conditions, for putting such principles into practical operation; and such Committee, if it finds such Municipal Program feasible, is instructed to report the same, with its reasons therefor, to the League for consideration." This the Committee did, presenting its preliminary report to the Indianapolis meeting in November, 1898, and its final report, which was formally and unanimously accepted (see page 45) at the Columbus meeting in November, 1899. Accompanying the first report were four principal papers prepared by members of the Committee, which, in turn, were discussed in nine subsidiary papers. Accompanying the final report were four more principal papers, likewise 'discussed in subsidiary |