Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-25
CHURCH HILL RALLY.
Biz EesiinS Last hight In the Interest
Of Good Government
MARSHALL WARD LEAGUE FORMED
nessrs. Purcell and CntIin Make
Speeches ON the Purposes of the
Organization and Point Out the
Need for It-Other Meetings.

Need Tor lt-Otner
There was a rousing meeting held IN
-orcoran Hall last night by the residents
81 Church Hi who are In favor OF the
movement inaugurated by the Good-Gov-
eminent League. and Marshaii-Nafu
club OF the body was organized, with
arge membership.
The hall was crowded with the best
citizens of that section OF the city the
rathering including men in almost every
ane of business, merchants, manufae-
lurers. professional. and workingmen.
The latter were largely represented.
Forcible speeches were made by Colonei
John b. Purcell and Mr.. T. a. Catlin'
both of them explaining the objects OK the
league and the reasons which caused us
organization. The primary object OF the
meeting was 10 establish a branch In
Marshall Ward OF the mother league.
Captain George Watt Taylor called the
meeting 10 order, saying that he had
been asked to act as chairman. He sald
lhe gathering was intended TO be ioNe
FEAST" The meeting was called 10 discuss
Democrat-the good government OF the
.ity OF Richmond. He introduced as the
arst speaker Colonel John Il. Purcell.
OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE.
Colonel Purcell, in opening his remarks
said that he was not an ofiice-seeker, nor
aid he expect TO be, but was deeply IN
.erested in the welfare OF Richmond. the
objects of the Democratic League ior
Good Government were worthy ones. ana
Is platform meant honesty in the admins
ration of the city's affairs. The league
had no quarrel with any one he SAID ana
we're not finding fault with the Councli:
That body had done the best II couia
under the laws laid down for its suid-
ance. II was the system under which the
Council was working that was wrong
High taxes were staring the city In the
the face under the existing condition OF
affairs. and he appealed to his hearers TO
unite In stopping such an evil before II
was too late for action. He refuted the
charges made against the Chamber OF
Commerce, to the effect that that bouy
was of no benefit 10 the working class
The institution helped TO Keep the doors
81 the manufactures open, and thus Kept
the hands employed.
In regard TO the impression tnat
seemed TO prevail that tine League for
ne denied the truth Of any such report
Democrats who could subscribe 10 It's
platform were welcome to its meetings.
OUR CONDITION DEPLORABLE.
Mr.. +. A. Catlin was the next speaker.
He said that in his opinion, Richmond
was in a more deplorable condition to-
day than any other city In the United
States. The people who composed the
membership of the league were not Office
seekers The only one Of its members
who could even be called a politician was
Hon. j. Taylor Ellyson, who had done
a laborious work for his party without
even getting or expecting a cent Tor
his services He said he would show how
the worklngman was interested in the
good government of the city. He knew
a man who made Sl.75 day and had
a family of five to support. He owned
a little piece Of property worth $1,000
and in July would have to $40 city taxes
on this. Where did this money go? j.
went TO put stone blocks in front of jim
Bahen's store on Charity street in jack
son Ward. a little thoroughfare no more
than an aneyway, that three fourths
of those present would not know how 10
find.
He said that until a month or so back
waste seemed to be the fashion a gen.
tleman said he some time ago stepped
into one of the rooms at the City Hall
at twilight. when there was no business
going on and only one person in the
room, and saw every gas Jet on the lower
circle OF an immence chandelier burning
brightly. a jantor came in and lit the
top circle. "What the d are you doing
that for?' the gentleman asked the city S
employee. "Oh," said the latter, ITS
Richmond, you know, let's do it hand
some"
MANY BECOME MEMBERS.
The chairman closed the meeting by
inviting all present who wished 20 become
members Of the league 10 give in their
names, when the majority Of those pre-
sent asked TO be enrolled.
The Union Democratic Club adjourned
its regular meeting last night al Powelrs
Hall in order to be present at the gather
ing of the Good Government League.
The Clay and Monroe Ward leagues
held regular meetings last night and
furthered the work of perfecting their
organization and preparing for effective
work. These meetings were only open
10 members. The MOnroe-WaTd League
will meet hereafter at Laube's Hall.