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this matter the experience of European countries is conclusive. Wherever we turn, whether it be to England, Germany, France, or Austria, we find this principle incorporated in one form or another in the municipal system. As a result, the municipalities are receiving with each year increasing benefits from its operation. In Glasgow, Huddersfield, and Sheffield the municipality is oper- ating the street-railway lines. In Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bradford the returns from franchises increase with each year, and at the expiration of the twenty-one-year period which is the limit of grants new and more favorable conditions have been obtained from the street-railway companies. Turning to France and Germany, we find precisely the same principles adopted, resulting in a continuous lightening of the burdens of taxation. In addition to the financial advantages accruing from the limited period of franchise grants, there is another and equally important principle involved. At the expiration of each period the municipality obtains complete control over its high- ways, which is impossible under any other system. In the United States constitutional prohibitions of one kind or another make state control over corporate management extremely difficult. The principles of constitutional law, that no state shall make nor enforce any law impairing the obligation of contracts ; that life, liberty, and property shall not be taken without due process of law ; and that the right of eminent domain can be exercised only for purposes which the court regards as distinctively public in character, are usually disregarded at the time franchises are granted; but they assert themselves in the most uncomfortable manner the moment the municipality wishes to exercise any con- trol over the use of such franchises. This fact makes the neces- sity of such guarantees as were embodied in the league bill far greater than in any other country.

Through its control of the patronage, and the opportunity thereby afforded to assess public employees for political purposes, the " machine " has been able to maintain its power in state and municipal affairs. If a permanently improved municipal govern- ment is to be secured, we must remove city employees from poli- tics. They must be appointed only on the basis of their merit and