MUNICIPAL REVIEW, 1908-1909 513
kee that bids fair to accomplish important work for that com- munity. Among other things, it is devoting its attention to measures providing for home rule, nonpartisan election, and the elimination of the dollar from municipal campaigns. In the words of the president of the federation:
TJie great majority of our people are all right. If they have the power, better conditions will be almost certain. Control by the people over their own municipal affairs, and the election of city officers by a majority vote instead of by pluralities, would greatly benefit the city.
The most important single movement jn the city has been one on behalf of the protection of the public schools and an attempt to enforce the law, which the administration dominated by the mayor has tried its utmost to render nugatory. The persistency with which the fight is being conducted is an evidence of the sterling character of the citizenship back of the movement.
Throughout the West the interest in municipal affairs occu- pies a large share of public attention; and the number of im- provements, both along administrative and physical lines, is increasing with rapidity. Here and there are signs of a tempo- rary reaction, as in Kansas City; but on the whole the move- ment has been forward, and the results achieved during the past year satisfactory.
The cities of Wisconsin are on the whole very well managed, barring the city of Milwaukee, which seems still to be subject to the fascinations of a successful political leader, who has more interest in his personal advancement than in that of the city.
Des Moines, Iowa, has made very satisfactory progress under its new system, the five commissioners elected eighteen months ago having measurably fulfilled the expectations of them.
St. Louis has chosen a new mayor to succeed Rolla Wells, who for eight years gave the city on the whole a most satis- factory administration. His successor, although of an oppo- site party, is likely to continue the good work begun, and to improve upon it.
There has been a considerable improvement in the character of the city officials, not only in St. Louis but generally throughout the West : although here and there an unfortunate and notable ex- ception, of which Kansas City may be cited as the most conspicu-
