The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-27
tHE FRIVOLOUS MULEAGUE.


itself the Municipal League of Provi-
dence, is threatened with disruption
through its own folly. Slxty-eight OF
its men ocrs hsve voted 10 endorse His
Honor, Mayor McGUINNEss for re-elec-
tion on the gliiteringly general ground
of his honesty, ability ard non-partizsn-
ship. These 6s wers a bare three-fourths
OF the membership present. and voting,
10 mem oers present voting against such
endorsement. OF course these Cs are not
even a majority Of the total mem bership
OF the organization. They represent less
than cne-half the membership. But un-
der the rules OF the League, the whole
clup has to bear the stigma of endorsing
man of broken pledges and false
charges for Mayor Of this city. And
while the "prineiples of the League" as
formally enunciated, do not say 80. IT Is
perfectly clenr that the first, and imme-
diate, IL not the only object OF its organ
ization was TO do this same thing--en-
dorse the Democratic candidate for
Mayor for this clmpaign. Hence the
aptness OF tie Leagues popular title OF
"The McGuinness Club"
Thus early, too, dissensions are be-
ginning to appear. The League is full
OF disgruntled elements. 1t wRs organ
lied by men with grievances. Ii repre-
sents in it's membership little besides mar
row, personal grievances, although
number OF earnest, sincere and broad
minded citizens have mbled under
It's standard, hoping thereby TO be of
service to their city, and through the
medium of the League to exercise
wholesome influence upon their fellow
citizens. No faith could be more hope
less OF success as the League is at present
conducted. Naturally, the assorted griev-
ances clash. Ana the clashing of the
different grievances is likely TO be The
most conspicuous feature OF the proceed
ings Of the Municipal League, II the pub
lie outside may Judge by wha: has SC
soon transpired.
The pu bile at large will have little in
terest in the views promulgated by this
extraordinary organization as at pres
ent conducted. The public at large Will
aot be disposed to turn over the manage
ment OF its affairs to such a heterogene-
ous collection of good, bad and indiffer-
ent fellow citizens who presume to be OF
a higher order OF good citizenship than
the balance OF their fellows. The preten-
sioDs OF "good government will not
hold water. AS good government club
the League Is already gIaring absurdity.
The sole purpose of a m sjority OF the
citizens OF this community, or OF any
other community, Is to secure good gov
ernment and they viii hardly delegate
the expression OF their opinions to any
such half-shot organization as the eague,
which, by the vote OF a minority of Its
mem bership, 10 become of no more i'm
portance than small cog wheel in the
Democratic machine. Our political par
ties have always been good government
fsrties, according to the sentiments and
lights OF their followers. The twenty
five thousand voters will hardly be dis
posed TO close up their ranks and let the
Municipa League OF less than 300 mem
bers dictate to them ss to their suffrage.
Or II the public OF Providence is to go
to the Municipal League for its political
instruction or to worship at the shrine
Of it's platitudes, the League must first
justify itself in the eyes OF the public.
II must show cause by example, as well
as precept why the public should repose
so large a measure OF confidence in this
new tangled Institution, az its projectors
claim should be reposed in It. II the
members of the league declare for non-
partisanship, and then band together to
run the city, they thereupon become a
party more offensive than any they dis
claim can possibly be IL they claim to
hold all the principles Of good govern
msnt, as II these principles were con-
tsined In rome sacred book OF which
they alone can give the message, they
must prove their cause and demonstrate to
the satisfaction OF the people at large
that their Thousands OF fellow-citizens
have, as divided into parties, been faith
less to the public interests. ignorant OF
the mesning OF good citizenship,
knaves or fools as the case may be.
As at present conducted, however, the
n -. a. gE.oIs