The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-16
GOOD GOVERNMENT LEAGUE.
Mf, Catlin Says II is Not AntaSonllirs
The Democratic Party.
WORKING FOR The GOOD OF The CITY
The Clay Ward Actives aud the E1cctora
Bosrd-Whst "a Member Of tho Board
Ia. 10 ssY-Oniy Want Honest,
Reliable Men.

1t now looks as though there would
be lively nght between the Democratic
League fer Good Government and tLo
various political clubs OF the city, par
ticulariy the Old Dominion Club OF Jef-
ferson Ward and the Gay Ward Actiyes.
For some reason. these two organizations
havo become imbued with tho idea that
the Government League. I'm conjunction
with the citys Electoral Board. Is wsg-
ing war upon The Democratic party.
They claim that the former Is iaboring
to put the city under commissions. ana
tho suspicion has stirred them up con-
sideraby.
WHAT MIR. CATLIN SAYS.
Mr.. 4. A. Catlin, president of tho Good
Government League. was asked by
Times reporter yesterday afternoon
whether the League WAS in any sense
oppose to the Democratic party.
Certainly. 1t IS not" replied Mr. Catlin.
emphatIcally: Il have attended every
meeting OF Clay-Ward Actiyes for some
time past. and have vigorously COM
bstted that idea that the president and
vice-president % the Actiyes seem 10
have imbibed.
THE Democratic League for Good Gov
ernment is not political organization
&C OH. except in the highest sense OF the
term. u only has IN view the good OF
the city. As 10 commissions. that ques-
ton has never been brought up in our
meetings, and I can only say that We
desire TO use the best means TO stop
L
put the city again upon It's feet
The Clay-Ward Aciives, however. feel
more aggrieved at the action OF the
Electoral Board than they do at any
thing they suppose the Good Government
League to have been guilty OF. They
claim that by the change I'm registrars
aud Judges OF election. the Electoral
Board has done much 10 injured Demo-
cratic success at the next election.
Tho Electoral Board. as Is well known,
IS comprised OF three hgh-toncd gentle
men. and for several weeks past they
have been diligently at work. endeavor-
ing 10 secure the services Of the very
best men as judges Il election and regis
trars. Their task has been a hard one
for the majority Of those approacif~1
have declared that their business af-
fairs kept them so much engaged that
they would NOT be able 10 spare the time
TO perform tho duties deyloying upon
election officers.
PERSONAL APPEALS.
II Was only by earnest personal ap-
uoals tEat the Electoral Board could
induce many OF those requested TO ac-
cept the places rendered them.
"We have only one object In view
said a member OF tho Board yesterday.
"and that is 10 purify the politics OF
the city. They have gotten into such
% corrupt condition that unless some
thing is done. the Democratic party VIII
be utterly destroyed, and we, as good
Democrats. did not feel that We would
be doing our duty 10 stand idly by and
see such things 80 on"
As TO the charge that gold Democrats
were put i'm office instead OF those rec
commended by the city Democratic Com
mttee. the Board chose the election
officers recommended without regard 10
their affiliations In the last campaign.
They only wished 10 he sure that those
selected were honest. reliable men.