The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-23
LIBERALS ENDORSE TICKET.
ENTHUSIASTIC MASS MEETING AT
MASONIC TEMPLE.

President MeIdrim Spoke of Liber-
al Club Successes-Mr. NJ. A.
O'Byrne Answered the Citizens
Club observation-disclosures Between
the RESOLUTIONS of 1896 and Those
of This Year-Au Voters Urged to
Turn Out-FOurth District Liberals
Marched to the Meeting.
Considering that to-days primary cleo
ton is 70 be rather a one-sided affair. the
Liberal Club got together a rousing meet
ing at Masonic hall last night
The Fourth district Liberals gathered at
3 o'clock. at East Broad and Liberty
streets, and headed by the First Regi-
mental band, marched TO Brough-
ton street. thence to Bull
TO Liberty, and to the Masonic
temple There were about 100 voters in
line col" Marcus Lowenthal was mar
shall Of the procession. The band played
pixie" and other popular airs, which
enthused the CROWD
The crowd arrived at the hall just about
$50 o'clock, and others began to gather.
Within fifteen or twenty minutes the hail
was very comfortably filed. There were
from $50 to 300 voters present. Some lively
music from the band in the gallery started
the enthusiasm, and there was much APP
plause when President p. w. Meldrim, &C
companied by Vice President FL. w. Dixon,
Messrs. M. A. O'Byrne, w. p. LaRoche,
and w. B. Stillwell walked upon the
stage.
1t was o'clock when President Meldrim
a, to in hrisa
speech congratulated the members of the
Liberal Club upon their successes. 1t was
in the Masonic hall that the first meeting
of the Liberal Club was held. High up
rose its star, the symbol not only of good
government, but of victory and success.
That star, he said. arose because Of the
necessities of the case. There was a feel
ing throughout the length and breadth
of the city that the people who pay its
taxes should manage its affairs. Those af-
fairs might not have been managed to the
satisfaction of everyone, but that is an
impossibiity But, however, much criti-
csm, the Liberal Club may have deserved
during the last year and half, not one
single act could be ascribed to any low or
dishonest motive.
The Liberal Club has stood upon the
broad principles that every citizen, how
ever humble, has the right to be heard,
and that every dollar due the state county
or city must be paid into their treasures.
President Meldrim spoke of the develop
ment and progress of the city during the
last year, and the great advancement of
the eity's business interests. No man can
point TO these he said, and say the admin
istration of the Liberal Club has not been
an honest and a successful one.
The club met tonight to start another
campaign one which, as others. would re-
suit in success. That success, he said,
would not come without work, and honest
work, such as has been characteristic of
the Liberal Club throughout.
President Meldrim said his term as the
presiding officer of the Liberal Club expir-
ed tonight He turned back the banner
TO them as he had received it, The club
had started out upon the broad principal
that no man should be ostracised on ac-
count of his religious faith. That princi-
pie is true now as il was then.
The real issue now is the principle OF
home rule, he said. The people of Savan-
nah should exercise their God-given right
10 manage their own affairs, and not be
governed by legislation which comes to Sa-
vannah by way of Atlanta. The people
have the right TO govern themselves. That
is the principle my colleagues and /
fought for in Atlanta. he said, and that Is
The is1ue before the people to-day.
Fear the Greeks when they come bear
tng gifts" President Meldrim said. He urg-
ed the members not to listen TO or assent
to any compromises. Principle, he said, is
above matters of dollars and cents. After
urging every man 10 turn out and vote at
the primary to-day, he declared the meet
ing open for business the first thing be-
ing the election of officers for the ensuing
term of two years.
Mr.. VIM NJ. Gibbons moved the re-eec-
ton OF the same officers to serve for the
ensuing two years. There was no discus
sion, and when the motion was put it was
carried with unanimous aye" and a
loud cheer.
Mr.. NJ, A. O'Byrne, who was chairman
of the Liberal Club committee of 100
arose to present the candidates selected
by that committee to the meeting for in
dorsement. Before doing that he said he
wanted to say few words in reply to the
circular issued yesterday by twelve men
claiming to be members of the county ex-
ecutive committee. This was the Citizens
Club circular
The very first statement in the circular
was untrue. he said. The leaders of both
factions brought about the compromise
by which the executive committee was
elected. Twelve gentlemen were selected
by the committee from the old Citizens
Club executive committee, but certain par
ties on that list were not partisan enough
for some of the leaders, and Messrs.
Schwarz. Wylly Alexander and Norris
sey were left off and replaced by strong
partisans. 1t was there, he said, within
their own faction that the seeds of dis
cord were sown, ana there arose all the
trouble.
Mr.. OByrne then detailed the first meet
ing of the new executive committee. When
MIR. Walter G. Charlton was chosen chair
man, there was not voice raised against
him. Now he is vilely attacked in this
circular as bitter partisan. For years he
was chairman of the county committee
and no such charge could a any time be
justly made against him. Members OF tho
committee on the other side said az thai
time that Mr.. Charlton was a good mar
and satisfactory to them. Now they max,
an uncalled for and unjust attack upor
him.
Mr.. O'Byrne then called to the attention
OF the meeting to the difference in the res
olutions passed by the present executiv,
committee, and those passed by the execu
tice committee in 1896 when the Citizens
Club had majority of the committee. II
the 1896 resolutions II was provided tina
the other sido should appoint one mana
ger and referee giving Ia no right .,