The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-20
GOOD CITIZEN PLANS
CHAIRMAN NICHOLSON. OF THE
LEAGUE. ISSUES A LETTER.
i'm the Sfntc-What
He Says.

The executive committee of the Indiana
Good Citizens League has issued a circular
to the citizens of the State asking support
OF the leagues effort for good government.
and pledging support to the enforcement of
the Nicholson bill. The appeal is signed by
S. b. Nicholson, author of the bill. and
president OF the league. satisfaction is ex-
pressed over the passage of the bill, which
is called a triumph over the liquor traffic
and a victory for good government and
purer politics. 1t says that the passage OF
the bill shows that the best citizens are
taking an active part in legislation. Thu
cooperation of all is asked, in the efforts
of the league to work in the lines SET
down. The league Will be nonpartisan and
yet not hesitate to promote the interest of
both men and parties, if it shall become
necessary to secure the objects of the or
ganization. The league stands ready 10
resist every movement Of the liquor power
80 far as it seeks 10 disregard law, infu-
ence legislation, or hull the public con-
science into inactivity" The league will
insist upon purity in politics and endeavor
to get honest and honorable men to attend
all primaries and take ar active part in
politics. The circular says the motives OF
the league are honest and the Members
have nc axes to grind. 1t urges tnat conn
ty organizations be formed throughout the
State, to the end that u.s. work can be-
come more effective. Ali Christian or
CARNATIONS are asked to interest themselves
in the work. Mr.. Nicholson will go at work
at once organizing the league in all parts
of the State and promote the work of the
league. The key note of the circular IS
found in the following:
political parties have been censured in
the past, and justly, too. for trucking to
corrupt methods and for giving audience to
tina dnnrn wa and EiaI01lG N uhan IA a
known, that in the main, good citizens
nave keep aloof from political AFFAIRS and
aspirants to make their power manifest. it
must be concluded that the blame is not
is gratifying to know that the better ele-
ments are beginning to see and appreciate
this fact and their, power Is already begin
ming to be felt throughout our common
wealth. To organize and crystalize this
sentiment into effective, practical activity
all over the state. the league viii use It's
best endeavors. The league will not waste
its time on glittering generalities, but in
every municipality where 1t is possible to
use positive means to gain desired ends.
these means and agencies Will be at once
appropriated"
Mr.. Nicholson. president of the league.
II have accepted the presidency of the
league at the earnest solicitation of a num-
Der of the best citizens of the State. ] real
ize the difficulties that will confront us and
mics of the work, or by persons who do
not understand the purpose of the move
ment. But klOWlilS lull wen THAT SutH N
union Of citizens as is contemplated in the
circular letter is necessary to retain the
not do otherwise than accept the position.
Our greatest difficulty VIII be in having to
resist the suspicious of many well-meaning
people who will hold aloof to see what di-
reotion the movement will take, but 20
these 1 desire to say that the work of the
league is only what II appears to pc on its
face. as set forth in the letter of the ex-
eeutive committee. Any man who signed a
petition for my bill recently or who was
friendly to 1t (and there were thousands of
them who had no opportunity to sign, may
Any citizen who believes in the enforce
ment of the law. who believes the better
and thereby make ',is iniuence be e felt in
the nomination of good men. who believes
in the elevation of our citizenship. who be-
lieves that the Liquor League should be re-
sisted so far as it may seek to be a political
factor, may properly become a member OF
honorable means to accomplish these things,
with the aim in view of .elevating political
methods and beliefs and bring TO the front
an efficient element that has heretofore been
'Recognizing the fact that men are parti-
san, we have sought such a union of cfti-
zens as will make its influence felt in the
parties greater than ever before. Public SEN
t1nlent is aroused just now, a fact which
makes necessary such an organization as
this. Unless there be a central organization.
embodying the common ideas as held by the
good citizens everywher this public senti-
ment in favor of better government and
fewer laws will be largely lost and in some
communities die out altogether. Every coun-
ty needs to have an organization and when
that is accomplished, there will be effective
means for carrying out the purposes of this
league. No one who HIS seen the recent ap-
peal of the Liquor League, in its State or
gan, can doubt that that power intends TO
be a factor in the next campaign. To offset
this influence and preserve what we have al
ready gained, no one should fail to see the
union of opposing elements is neces-
sary. To this end we ask the earnest CO.
operation of the good people throughout the
State, not that the personal interests Of any-
body are to be advanced, but that the peo-
pie and the State may be made better by
the existence of the league