Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-16
GOOD GOVERNMENT CLUB.
What Is Accomplished in the Line of
Municipal Reform.

From the New York Times.
The Good Government Club man is a
wonder in the eyes of the machine politi-
clan. Prior to the 9th day of last Novem-
Der the machine politician supposed that
the Good Government Club man was a
harmless dude who attended pink teas and
spent his leisure moments theorizing con-
corning the downfall of Tammany Hall.
The Tammany man put him down as a re
former" He looked at him as a theorist
who would forget when election day came.
He did not for moment suspect that the
Good Government Club man had what he
called sand"
But on the 9th of last November several
thousand Good Government Club men DEM
onstrated to the entire satisfaction of the
machine politicians in both parties that
they were not dudes. They made it very
evident that they had not forgotten when
election day came. They gave proof posi-
tive that they had sand" They forever
cleared themselves from the charge that
they were theorists in certain municipal
matters.
The Good Government Club men were in
existence as an organized body for the
first time on that day. They had taken
the trouble previously to inform themselves
very fully as to the rights and duties of
citizens and officials on election day under
the existing ballot law. They numbered,
all told, in the city, from 5000 to 10000,
and they knew they had the backing of all
those elements in the city which believed
in decency in municipal affairs. Moreover
they had any quantity of muscle which
they were willing to use If occasion re-
quired, and they were in constant tele
phonic communication with certain we'll
informed attorneys whose principal bust
ness it was on that day to secure evidence
which might send violators of the law to
Sing Sing for a period fixed by statute.
This combination of sand" muscle and
legal intelligence had a remarkable effect
on some of the worst districts in the city.
For the first time in its history. so far as
there is any present evidence, there was a
beautiful illustration of the clubman in
politics-that is to say. in practical politics,
which is after immediate net results.
There araabout twenty-five Good Govern
ment Clubs in the city, and it is almost
necessary to leave the number indefinite
because at the rate they have been grow
ing lately new one may be formed at any
minute. Their total membership now is
about 10000. They are named up to the
letters of the alphabet, and almost the en-
tire alphabet has been run through.
Two years ago there was only one club.
One of the striking features In the organi
cation of these clubs is that, while they
are very much like a political party, care
is taken not to let too many people belong
to them. The club idea is followed out to
the extent that an applicant may be black
balled. Every one who joins must pay an
initiation fee and dues. Every one must
also subscribe to their principles which are
set forth in the following six short propo
stions:
First-Honest and unbiased primaries.
Second-True ballot reform.
Third-The complete separation Of mu-
nicipal from state and national elections
Fourth-Complete separation of municipal
from state and national politics.
Fifth-The nomination and election Of
l@<@ PNr fYoJ mn.
nicipal issues only.
Sixth-Home rule. i 49, -.