Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/359

 THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA 343

value. If, however, we are still to have party circles or squares, it is important to know that municipal parties similar to the league are entitled to have them as well as those which nominate a full ticket. This decision will therefore be of great value in the pend- ing campaign in Philadelphia; because the City Party, which is waging the independent campaign in Philadelphia, will under this decision be entitled to a party square for its candidates, although it has nominated candidates only for local offices, and its sup- porters will have the same convenience as those of the regular (national) parties.

The league co-operated with every effort of the Joint Com- mittee in its work for improved election laws in the state of Penn- sylvania, and made many of its acts possible by reason of this co-operation; moreover, it was instrumental in securing a con- siderable number of decisions of the court concerning election laws, and the rights of parties and of voters under them. A detailed account of these would be only incidentally interesting and useful. The more important and significant cases are those which have already been mentioned.

The league, during its entire thirteen years of activity, care- fully scrutinized local and state legislation, and called public atten- tion to the defects of proposed ordinances and acts of assembly. In doing this, it preached a consistent doctrine, and was influential in creating a public sentiment which is now beginning to manifest itself in most decisive fashion.

Always true to its declaration that " the interests of the people will be best served by the municipal ownership, control, and oper- ation of public services ; that no lease or franchise should in any case be granted except for a limited period, and with full provi- sion for adequate regulation by and remuneration to the city," it consistently called attention to the shortcomings of franchise legislation both in the city hall of Philadelphia and the state capitol at Harrisburg. At first its opposition was considered merely academic; and while, I regret to record it, its policy has not yet been enacted into law, nevertheless the sentiment of the people of Philadelphia now seems to be substantially as expressed in the declaration of principle just quoted; and whenever the