The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-07
A Victim of Club Rule.

Club rule in this city hasn't proven to be
a success. The struggle between the clubs
hasn't always resulted in putting the best
and most practical men in control of the
city's affairs. 1t has happened, and will
continue to happen as long as the polti-
cal clubs exist. that men are put for
ward for official places, not so
much because of their qualifications
for managing municipal affairs as
for their ability to control votes.
The clubs look for popular men rather
than for men of merit.
A number of years ago, in order to get
rid of one or two men who had made them
selves political bosses. and were doing
pretty much as they pleased with the
democratic party of this county, politi-
cal club was organized. 1t controlled the
politics Of the city and county for awhile.
Finally it became known as the Tammany
Club Very soon after taking that name
the Citizens Club was organized. Though
having a membership somewhat speckled
politically, 1t had able leadership, and as
political machine for self-preservation
self-perpetuation and general spoliation 1t
was considerably ahead of its rival. 1t
gave the city a modification of the Aus
tralian ballot system and the commissions.
In its efforts to fix things so as to con-
tinue in control of the city 1t aroused
great deal of opposition, and the Tam
many Club having disappeared, the Lib
eral Club was born. These two clubs, the
Liberal and the Citizens, soon had the
city divided into two factions which have
fought each other with a bitterness so
Intense that at times the more conserva-
tive citizens have regarded them as in
furious to the interests of the city. Just
now the Liberal Club is on top, having
elected its candidates for the legislature
and for the county and city Offices. 1t IS
not too much to say that the liberal Club
was victorious because the people had be-
come tired Of the Citizens Club, and they
expected great things in municipal az
fairs from the Liberal Club. Have they
been disappointed? They were pretty we'll
satisfied with the way city affairs were
being managed. 1t was conceded that the
Liberals were handicapped to a certain ex-
tent by the commissions. which the Citi-
zens Club had fastened upon the city, but
1t was hoped that the legislature would
relieve them of that burden.
The hope, however that was entertained
that the Liberals would prove themselves
equal to the demand for good government
was rudely shattered by the city councils
action in the street railroad matter. The
value and character of the concessions
to the railroad and the haste with which
these concessions were put through coun-
ell excited widespread and severe criti-
cism. The people felt that being so vital
ly interested, they should have had a
chance to pass judgment upon so import
ant matter.
We have called attention to the history
Of the clubs for the purpose of asking the
people OF this city if they do not think
they have had enough of government by
political clubs. If they have they ought
to say so, and signify desire to go back
to party rule.
Let the democratic party reorganize in
this county and city, appoint it's best men
on its committees and see if it cannot give
any we have had in recent years. 1t would
be better to have republican in council,
OF. several of them, than to have the city
ruled as it was when the Citizens Club
was in office, namely, by half dozen
men, or, as is the case now, by half of
the counciimen and few outsiders. Let
the misfortune which has befallen the
city in the street railroad matter bring
the men who pay the taxes and those who
are otherwise identified with the clty's
prosperity together under the discipline Of
party rule. The strength of parties will
force the best men to the front and in
sure to. Savannah the best government
possible under her charter. irresponsible
club rule Should be abandoned. Savannah
has had enough of it,