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THE STATE LEAGUE OF GOOD GOVERN

MENT CLUBS.

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HILE the congratulations over our victory of last November are still ringing in our ears, recent events in Albany have proved conclusively the necessity for a State League of Good Government Clubs. Our best efforts to secure a reform of the abuses of our city have met with decided opposition on the part of the State machine. Recently the reform Republicans of Chemung developed before an election. remarkable strength and were on the eve of victory, when suddenly the machine Republicans swung in the Democratic vote and won. Observe how easily the spoilsmen of both political stripes sacrificed their love for their respective parties and co-operated for the advancement of their own interests, while the reform elements were divided on questions of purely national concern not affecting their city government in the least. We can learn much from our enemy; the first thing is, that lovers of pure city government must unite on non-partisan lines against the rule of bi-partisan ring leaders.

Politicians will legislate only in the interests of those to whom they are directly responsible for their power. For advancement they depend upon organizations, and though they may be really well intentioned they are compelled to obey the dictates of the machine or forego their chances for political preferment.

If representatives at Albany disobeyed the machine, to whom could they look for support in their endeavors for reform? Could not the really intelligent and honest majorities of our cities be crystallized into a permanent organization with high civic ideals wielding a powerful influence over our representatives?

There had already been established municipal reform clubs in Albany, Troy Buffalo, Rochester, Brooklyn, Schenectady and Syracuse, which had grown with marvelous rapidity, especially since the murder of Robert Ross a year ago while striving to uphold the purity of the ballot at an election. These organizations had convened in June, 1894, to urge the adoption of the new Constitution, and at that time steps were taken toward the formation of a State League. General John C. Graves, of Buffalo, was chosen president, Mr. McKeen, of Brooklyn, vice-president, and Mr. James W. Pryor, of New York, secretary.

To extend the influence and power of this League, a plan was devised to enlist the co-operation unofficially of certain societies of young men having representations in every city of the State. They are young men of well known character and energy-an army whose size and power is scarcely appreciated by the public. They were urged to establish non-partisan Good Government Clubs, to enlist their friends and form the nucleus of what in a few years would become a great and perhaps decisive factor in the struggle for better govern

THE STATE LEAGUE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT CLUBS. 369

ment. Another appeal was addressed to the older associations in the League, inviting closer relations and opening avenues for the exchange of reform literature and cementing ties of friendship between us. Both appeals were successful, and the work has been quietly and steadily progressing, and will in time become a great instrument for purity of civic government; as an educational factor, also, it will be of immense value.

With the constant leavening of such organized intelligence, that peculiarly American-or un-American-institution known as the "Boss" must soon dis

appear.

The movement has spread to the larger cities, and it is the hope of the promotors of the work that it may extend to the smaller cities and towns as well.

No officers of the League can run for public office; its aims are to secure true ballot reform, home rule for cities, civil service reform, and to eliminate politics from the government of our cities. It convenes annually, and is composed of delegates from every Good Government Club.

We are increasing the membership judiciously and quietly in all the cities in the State, which contain more than four out of the six and a half million of our population. Thus much more than half the citizens of the State will be directly affected by the influence of the Good Government Clubs.

In the smaller cities the assistance rendered us would be of the greatest value, even if only to the extent of forming a nucleus for a stronger organization to be developed in the future.

The work is being pushed by the Committee on Co-operation and Affiliated Clubs of The City Club of New York. Mr. R. W. G. Welling is Chairman of this Committee.

No one can question the urgent need of establishing this system of clubs throughout the State. As long as our legislators regard themselves as the masters of the people instead of their servants, so long will it be necessary for citizens to organize and undeceive them. The preamble of the State League Constitution reads as follows: "The object of this League is to promote honest and efficient administration of the affairs of cities of New York State, and to that end to increase the numbers, harmonize the methods, and unite the forces of citizens who believe that only by organization and concerted action on nonpartisan lines can we escape the evils developed by our present methods of city government." It is to the young men to whom we look for assistance in this work to those who realize that the best expression of their manhood can be found in public life. In 1861 they threw themselves heart and soul into a new party, elected Lincoln, and purged the country of slavery. It is to them we now appeal for brave, manly support in establishing higher civic ideals, and in persistent endeavor towards the eternal Triumph of Reform.

ARTHUR M. GOADBY,

Member of Committee.

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