, 1877-02-04
LOCAL POLITICS.
The Democratic City Central
Committee Holds a Meet.
ing.
4 Virtuous Effort to Abolish the System
Of Assessing Candidates.
Mr. Forsythe Dwells Lovingly on the Vir'
tues OF the "Barrel."
Virtuous Democrats Who Talk on the Beau
tics Of Reform, Etc.

Virtuous Democrats Who Talk on the Beau |
ties Of Reform, Etc.
There were many familiar faces ut the meeting
of the Democratic City Central Committee yes
terday afternoon, Or rather, faces that we're quite
familiar during the last campaign, but upon
which the public las not gazed, through the
medium Of tile papers, since those days when
there were meetings Oh meetings, committees
on committees, and when evcry loyal Democrat
III Chicago had figured out Tilden's precise
majority For period they sank into insg-
nificancc, only to emerge yesterday IN renewed
energy. They fitted up rooms In the American
Express Company's building, called the elect TO-
gcthcr, aud began once mort to hold meetings.
That yesterday afternoon was called to order by
the Chairman Of the Committee, John Alattocks,
who stated that, Us matters appeared to be set
tied to the probable satisfaction Of all Demo-
Gratis, he had called the boys together, not hay
ing chosen to do so during the late high state OF
public excitement. Mr. Tilden was anxious to
KEEP Up TIE DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION IN
CHICAGO,
and no doubt the members would see the i'm
portance OF this In view Of the approaching
spring campaign. Mr.. Mattocks also spoke ot
the propriety of sending bills to Springfield to
the Legislature. This matter had been taken IN
charge by hybrid organization, calling itself
the Citizens Association, md he thought the
truly loyal Democrats should have something
to SAY on such matters rs taxation,
the Registry law, The 1edistrict-
inc OF the wards, etc II they
were in favor Of having the registry system IN
force, or in favor Of redistrfctng the city, 1t
would be we'll to say SO; If not, to send pro-
test against these measures down to Spring
field.
The RESIGNATION of 4fr. Joseph E. Smith as
Treasurer was accepted, and Mr. Henry N.
Shepard appointed in his place. The meeting
was then thrown open to all present, many OF
them not on the Committee, with an invitation
from the Chairman to make themselves at
home and speak up. - .a
Mr.. 4. c. Story had plan Which ne salu
would destroy the present
SYSTEM OF ASSESSING CANDIDATES.
I Instead Of making the candidates whack up, he
| had IN idea that it would be proper measure
Of reform to saddle The expenses on the ward
| clubs and toe Democratic party gencra1v-
The Chairman advocated and asnpllled the
| same pIop He said his ward could rinse 81 COO
for the goot: of tho cause, and he thought other
wards could do as well proportionately. As 1t
was, great Qllu5 Ntult1l1 u4El 5tooA IN at
| the meetings because they were afraid Of being
| asked to contribute funds. In conclusion he
| asked Mr.. Rouutree how it was in his ward.
Mr.. Rountrec-Mr, Chairman, you have men-
toned ms name. / am opposed, you know, on
principle to the use Of q dollar of money for po-
| The Chairman cautiously observed that when
| Mr., Tilden came to take his office, 1t might
come to pass that their plans would need some
.Iutlge Miller praised Mr.. story's plan, and
said its adoption would be credit to tue
Democracy OF Chicago. It entirely relieved the
candidate from the possibility of any oase
aspersions upon his honesty, aud made II the
! duty Of the people who desired us electlon u
nav the necessary expenses OF the cahvass
Judge Miller said some very pretty Things aooa,
having good candidates, men who Tousu serve
The people aud take no bribes, all OF which va!
duly appreciated, no doubt, BY the noole oane
of otI.ee-hunters whom he addressed
The Chairman announced the following q!
tbe standing committee on legislation: r. 4
Hoff1uan, Murray F. Tuley, Henry N. Shepard
Joha II. Rountree, William j. Onanan, !. A
Morau. Charles Kern, 4. B. Mason, j. j. Gro"
MALCOLM Mcdonald was in for a
l. BETTER REGISTRY sISTEA.
| During the last campaign the men at the Lem
ocr1tic headquarters III New York City con1t
1hc same way in Chicago. Then, too, there wa
fine chance for reform in the matter Of putting
m candidates, and Malcolm set himself dowr
as unalterattlY opposed to the too-famlliar typt
Of Democratc oilice-seekeIs anu me- an sTe1.
chargeablc with all the scratching OF ttckets
the last election. :,
" In motion Of Mr. T. A. Moran, the followinE
committee was chosen to draft sultaDlo re:olu
tin1;s III regard to the death OF Mark Sheridan
q member Of the County Committee: !.
Moran, H. II. Shepard, Gen. ticb, 4: b
Va,,rhn. II. F. Tulcy. Tue Committee retirct
and 7eported series of resolutions eulog1stf
of the late Alderman, which we're aoop!e'
unanimously bv q rising vote.
Mike Bailey said the new rooms we're to-
small, and moved that the body seek large
The Chairman said they could Knock ou
sundry partitions, the elect OF when "oulo ~
to make more roOnl+
street, and several others were getting rcady ! !
object, when it was moved to rcic1 LUIS "uol
matter of selecting suitable hall to spec1a
| committee, This motion was carried. ~ y
si sinssrsl 4. N. Shepard, +. A. Hoffman, aud
4. Moran we're appointed as such committee
MR.. STORY
offered the following:
pfsolced, That we declare the system OF asseas
| ;nu candidates for public offices for So
~ Ms.camr,uinu expenses,' as practiced heretofore
noittcal parties, wrong tn principle anu destho M
lng in effect and ought to be dscont'naea' nr IN
M ths Chair appoint committee OF TO matnt M nt
and report suitable plan for carrying ont the OF
iects Of this resolution.
o :Tonn Forsythe said the resolution was III IN
- nrorticable, aud believed it best to adhere to th
pi.I-established rules Of the Democratic part!
Fnr period Of thirty years he had never kno"
Z of a campaign where the candidates were nc
assessed for the proper campaign expense: s:
Iuln didn't believe in all this talk about ofloeI
and corruption. If any candidate didn't VA ~
to nav lis expenses, let him say 50, anq 1ti 1h
: narty would see him out In conclusion, Jon
Feit.rated bis opinion about the folly OF useies
+ innovations
i NR. MORAN
;. was In faror Of the resolution. 1t m1gnt7 az az
: nrohably would, do great deal Of good. ~
+ fohn Forsythc's plan had been in vo9ue II II
: hast to have something better: fhcl .a
haI been one way Of counting u u
> rotes. @ but it was not found sufficient IN l.
) nrrsent Presidential contest, and new Ws
j. b,,1' To be- devised The statesmen OF thc mn
y teentn century had.not yet mastered a. the pro
( lam Of municipal government why vas
Il That, some candidates for Alderman we're -
/, am1ious to be elected and SO willing to pay u
l. txnenscs3 Surely not for the honest eno!'
n rnents Of the office. Such men the DemosIat
a .r IA mt 1rnt The salary wasn't 9ulucle-