The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-29
Birth of New Organization
for Civic Reform.
Its Chief Purpose Will be to
"Shape Public Opinion"
First Meeting Held This Afternoon
At the Narragansett.


was organized at well attended meeting
this afternoon at the Narragansett Hotel.
Thomas w. Bicknell, presided as tenn
porary chairman of the league and de-
livered a brief address,:
The closing. years OF the century, he
said, finds the great body OF the people
messed in cities and large towns. This
centralizing OF population in compact
masses presents new conditions OF life,
OF social status, of business development
and OF municipal management II has
been said that the movement for muni-
cipalre form, which Is now so extensive
In England and America, ana which Is
so rapidly gaining the attention OF the
best citizens Of the world, Is the most
important OF any which has come before
the American people since the overthrow
OF slavery. More than four hundred
leagues are now in active opestion in the
United States aud OF this great number
over one hundred were organized last
year.
A city that Is incapable OF managing
its own affairs within its vested rights of
corporation is unworthy OF corporate
existence, and a State that ruthlessly
trampIes on the rights OF citizenship in
its interference with such organic and
constitutional prerogatives betrays its
high regard for the unborn rights of free
men and debases its power to partisan or
meaner ends.
To state briefly some of the work to
be done by municipal league in the city
OF Providence whose population and
werlth ale cnly second IN New England
to the great metropolis, Boston. / Will
name first the encouragement OF spirit
of loyalty TO the interests of the -city and
the enlistment of every persons 80 far as
possible in patriotic. unselfish devotion
10 its concerns. We can have a great city
only as we have men of high character
and pure deovtion to its interests.
The principle must be esta Dlished In the
minds OF tthe people that the city OF Pro-
videDce is great business corporation,
governed by business principles. for the
purposes of protecting the weak, caring
tor the needy and unfortunate.
Another prime object OF the League is
to make clear the distinction between a
citizen and partisan, and that the prin-
ciples OF the great political parties have
no application 10 municipal affairs.
This League is to be absolutely non-
partisan. occupying itself in trying to
solve the problems of municipal govern
ment for ourselves and Others. "Ring
rule" Is as hostile to clean politics as the
self-elected boss, aud neither can flourish
In city where strong, healthy public
sentiment controls.
The membership committee OF which
Councilman Bullock is chairman reported
tha. there were about 100 chartered men,
bers.
THF CONSTITUTION.
The following draft of a constitution
and by-iaws was submitted by Messrs.
illiam X. Killing hast, Rat h bone Gardner
and John NJ. hounds;
l. This OrOanizntlDu ahall ba calIed
the Municipal League of Providence.
Ill. The objects OF this leaSue shall be
to keep before our citizens the necessity
OF their interest in public affairs; TO dis
cuss mad shape public opinion upon ali
questions which relate to the proper gov
ernment of our city;to separate municipal
politics from State and national politics;
to secure the nomination and election of
municipal officers solely on account of
their fitness for the Office; to federaie for
thses porp, ses he various moral forces of
tho city, and to encourage every wise
prospect for the promotion of the good
order. prosperity and honor of Provi-
III. The members of this league shall
be limited in number to 200. here
shall be no conditions of race or creed,
but all in sympathy with the purposes of
the league shall be alike eligible for its
mem bersbip.
having been nominated bv the memb, r
ship COMMITTEES at the previous regular
meeting; and ten negative votes shall pre-
vent an election
~. The officers cf this league shall be
president, three presidents, secre-
tary, treasurer and an executive commit
tee of seven mem bers, two OF whom
shall be the president and secretary OF
the league. There snail also be q member
ship committee OF seven, of whom the see
retsry shall be one. these officers shall
perform the duties usually appertaining
TO their respective positions. they shall
be chosen 10y ballot at the annual meet
ing, and shall hold Office until their sue
cessors ale elected and qualit ed.
The executive comnittce shall have the
general oversight of the interests of the
League, arrange lis various meetings and
bring such objects before ii for considera-
tion as shall best su bserve the ends for
which the League Is organized. 1t shall
create such standing committees, from
time TO time, as it deems necessary for
the efficiency of the League, nominating
members OF such committees, subject to
the approval OF the League.
B. IN order TO promote general interest
among the members OF the League. and
prevent its management from eveH falling
into the hands OF a few men. there shall
be at least two new members chosen upon
the executive and mem bership commit
tees each year.
There shall not bo upou the executive
committee more than one representative
OF any organization represented in the
League.
6. No person can accept any nonina-
tiOn for, or hold any office in, the Inuni-
cipal government of Providence, and at
the same time be salaricd officer In the
League.
z. Inasmuch as this League can he
power for good only rs its acts shall APP
peal to the good judgment of our fellow
citizens, the League shall not be com
mitted TO any public positions without
The votes OF three-fourths OF the memt ters
present nj any meeting, and no action OF
the League shall be considered as binding
upon any individual memter.
VIII. This constitution may be
amended st my regular meeting by vote
OF two thirds OF those prcselt and vot-
ing, provided the amendment proposed
shall nave been sent 10 all the members