New-York tribune., 1884-02-29
i CITIZENS LEAGUELN BROOKLYN.

IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS IN THE INTEREST OF
HOME RULE AND GOOD CITY GOVERNMENT.
The Brooklyn Citizens League has been
formed by number Of weknown residents OF that city
who wish to permanent nonpartsan government
for their municipality The principles and objects OF the
League are;
Frs-The enforcement Of the principle Of Home Rule
in government cities and the maintenance or to2t
feature Of the present Charter OF Brooklyn py whc he
Mayor is given the sole power to appoint heads Vi ue
neutrality-suspicious. and removals in the municipal
service TO be made only when demanded fOr the puDuo
good. and never for party ends: , -,
Third.-The absolute separation OF municipal govern
ment from National politics. and the eNabshment 9t & .ns
principle that municipal officers shall he nomlnatcd anu
elected solely the ground OF personal fitness ana oe
cause OF their known views ON questions OF muolPAi
policy.
pamphlet iust issued states that the League purposes
to continue permanent, and 1t is hoped more
efficient form the work OF the Citizens Committees which
have been such important factors IN recent political
campaigns The work OF the League is TO be confined
exclusively local affairs IN which it is one Of the
Leagues fundamental principles thGt National politics or
National political partsanshp nave no proper place Its
object f. to secure and when secured render perma
nent good local governmentperhaps the most serious
and important political problem Of the day. Clean
streets good schools, ample water supply, an ehclent
FIRE and police force concern ~ NOR Tccgy ny SelIy
ties divide. Fortunately while more important To- us
they are under present charter also almost eniIey
within our control WINE on matters Ol S'dLt
and National policy however much interest We
| u
euce. In our cltys moreover q gIcut ana IH-
portant principle OF municipal government on rla tat
" responsible home rule Instead OF having power and
responsibility divided up that the people are unable TO
hold any and are helpless TO make any
frDrovemeut other cities, have here
in large direct accountability 70 and control by
the people The League purposes alSo 20 serve as d
nucleus around which the citizens OF Brooklyn may
gather when important questions Of strictly municipal
character are be considered OF determined; 10 keep
watehu eye upon proposed legislative enactment7 rela
tFe Brooklyn 10 examine into municipal unteitak
ngs corporation grants, and all other like matters in
which the people may have an an interest; to watch
closely the N which the city government s au
ministered."
The following officers have been chosen; President
Alexander L. Orr; Vice-presidents c. !. CnnSJen5en
Joseph f. Knapp. Thomas II. Rodman and George l.
Senev secretary, George F. Peabody; treasurer W. A.
WhIfe finance committee, Alexander FOTman, james X
Cowing Charles A. Denny, Charles Pratt and Henry X
sheldon. executive committee John b. WOODWARD, JOhn
c. Mcclure William J. COOmbs, George f. PEABODY
George II. Fisher. Horace F. Deming. Henry Heu'z
Alexander L. OFT and W A. White. There Is aAa0 cou
al, comDOsed about 100 we'll known citizens, "a nearly
a. possible evenly divided between the TWO parues ana
made W mostly OF business men.