Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12
"Good Government League"


/ understand that belief Is enter
tanned by number Of the members OF
the Citizens Democratic League that
am opposed to the principles advocated
by the league. II report has been cir
culated to this effect, it has been done
either by those who purposely desire to
misrepresent the facts, or who are ig-
norant OF them. / presume by the lat
ter. / have on all occasions expressed
myself as being in thorough sympathy
with the avowed platform OF the league,
so far az II Is for good government ex-
cept in its secret feature, and its pledge,
and any assertion that i am not In favor
of the best government that can be OBJ
tanned for this city, or that i do not
favor eleyating TO offices OF trust and
responsibility the most competent men
In all that the word competent implies. is
not only false. but 1t Is without the color
of truth.
When the league was first organized
did not hesitate TO say that / was OPP
posed to its secret feature. 1t was then
generally understood, certainly by those
who were not members. that secrecy and
pledges TO support whatever the league
undertook TO do were conditions prece-
dent TO membership IN the league. This
/ did not believe Democratic. and did
not approve of, and 1 did not hesitate
TO express my disapproval. Since. how
ever the meetings have become open,
have assumed the character of other
good Democratic clubs. and all
Democrats are eligible to membership,
and since fits objects are only to
secure representative men to manage the
affairs of the city. would be false to
my citizenship and recreant to the duties
which devolve upon me in the position J
hold, If / were not In sympathy with
all that seeks by fair and open means
to advance the interests OF the community
in which l have cast my lot and made
my home.
The question may be asked why have
not connected myself with the organiza-
ton. My answer is that there are a
large number of Democrats in the city who
are apparently opposed TO IT, or, at least.
to the methods which 1t adopted to carry
out its purposes; and I think It Is en-
cumbent upon me, occupying the position
which I do TO remain non-partisan; /
am persuaded that / can do more good
outside OF the league than inside Of 1t
under the existing circumstances. 1t
may be said that my position Is incon-
sistent, inasmuch as / am member or
the Clay-ward Active Club. This. how
ever. is not necessarily so. for the rea-
son that there is no opposition to this
club, from any member OF the league
80 far as I have been able to ascertain,
and / was a member OF the club long
before this league was organized.
I have discussed this question with
number of the most prominent members
OF the league from all parts Of the city,
AVtn II
they have, without one dissenting voice,
endorsed the position which have taken,
and have advised me that any other would
be improper.
The members Of the league, however,
and all other citizens of Richmond. who
are interested In good government. and
who believe that the Offices Of the city
should be filed by the best men that can
be obtained, men whose characters are
not only above reproach, but absolutely
beyond suspicion. may rest assured that
shall not fail to vote TO elect such TO
office. This has been my past course.
Both cities and individuals. who have
proper regard for their reputation for
thrift and honesty. Will be careful OF
their expenditures, and It is as much the
duty Of the one as II Is of the other TO
live within their means, and meet their
obligations promptly. and to speedily LIT
from their shoulders the burden OF debt.
n by such they are oppressed. ! believe.
therefore. that the Council should vote
only for annual budgets which are safely
within the city's estimated revenues, and
that they should not make appropriations
which are not to como out OF the con-
tingent fund, provided for in the budget
and that II should be their endeavor TO
curtail the city's floating debt each year
as much as practicable, believe. further
more. that II should be the object OF all
GOOD citizens 10 secure an economical ad-
OF the city's affairs. to elect
men TO the legislative
branch OF the city's government, 10
repeai laws which are hurtful to the In
terest OF the community. and TO secure
the passage OF such as will promote the
happiness and prosperity OF the people,
and that the best methods should be de-
vlsed. whereby the commercial and manu-
Featuring interests OF the city should be
Increased. but / am unalterably opposed
10 any reduction being made In the wages
on laborers. A fair days wage should be
Maid for n fair days work. and no class
should be Disseminated against. III the
Interests of any class are to DO protected,
me weaker should first receive attention.
The honors and the reputation or my
c,tv the welfare and the happiness OF
re people with whom am daily thrown
In contact. the prosperity and progress OF
n, CLASSES are to me far more Important
,han marty ties or political animation.
Yours truly, MARION L. DAWSON
Anril TO- 1896.