The Portland daily press., 1898-10-17
THE CIVIC LEAGUE.
What Rev. Mr. Berry Told the PRESS of
It's Aims.

A feature OF special interest in the
PRESS report of the recent Maine Baptist
state convention at Houlton was the state
ment that an endeavor was being made to
raise funds with which to put Rev. Will.
bur E. Berry of Portland into the field to
devote his entire time to the work of the
Christian Civic League of Maine, and
that the project would need backing to
the extent of $1,000 year.
A Mr.. Berry's parishioners of the Congress
Street Methodist church have been max
ing anxious inquiries about the matter
since the report was published, they fear
ing that they will lose their pastor, who
has been here but little more than a
year and has been SO successful in the
passionate.
A PRESS reporter on Saturday called
on Rev. MIR. Berry, who has just returned
from a months vacation in the woods of
Northern Maine.
"There is nothing definite to be said in
regard to the Civic League matter" said
he. 'sIt is fact that an attsmpt is being
made to secure financial backing with
view to the employment of field score
tary. I do not know as will be selected
for the place. A short time perore the
holding of the Baptist convention l re-
ceived q letter from Rev. DR.. Dunn, one
of the directors Of the league, asking II he
should bring before the Baptists the name
of the league for Endorsement.
~ replied that the league ought to get
down to active, vigorous work, or else
dissolve.
asked me if would be willing to go into
the field and give my entire time to the
work of the league. / replied that II it
should be decided by the league that my
services are desired, l would be Wiling to
accept the appointment, providing sufflo-
lent financial backing could be procured
to insure a carrying on of the work. The
substance of this statement was made
known to the Baptists in their Houlton
convention, and they delegated Rev: Q.
Il. Owen of Houlton to act, in behalf OF
that denomination, in soliciting funds.
Mr.. Berry added that in case he did
take up the line Of work in question, 1t
would be with great reluctance that ne
should give up his regular labors. II
realize" said he, THAT the work would
be hard, and the person performing it
would be made mark for the attacks OF
law breakers, who would do their pest TO
block him at every turn.
Asked if the field secretary would be
expected to assist in raids upon liquor
saloons, Mr.. Berry replied that the CIVIC
League does not believe in that kind of
tactics 1t does not regard its duty as
that of a prosecuting organization, but Its
aim is to work out a proper observance OF
all the statutes, through the proper
authorities. 1t is not simply temperance
organization, but it seeks to foster good
citizenship and the enforcement OF other
- ;o1 trt ho rr0hj htfnTv la
which are as indifferently observed in this
state.
The field secretary will be expected to
devote his whole time to general work OF
the league, organize local branches ana
assist them in carrying out the purpose
of the league. which is, In the words OF
its constitution: "To educate the people
in ali that pertains to good citizenship;
to arouse and maintain throughout the
state a reverence for law; to secure the
enactment of the best possible laws, their
impartial execution and the choice OF
competent officials to that end"
The league IS non partisan and nom
sectarian. In carrying out its purpose its
leaders must necessarily come in close
touch with politics, but only with a view
to securing the nomination and election
of good men and executive officers who
can be depended on to live up to their
official oaths.
s.All the representatives, Of the rum
interests and the lawless citizens group
themselves and stand together and vote
always to foster their own ends" said
Mr. Berry, "while the good citizens OF
the state divide themselves into parties
and vote for the candidates of those par
ties. The Civic League intends to be
welded to good citizenship rath5r than
to party. We can have today no inde-
pendenoe in politics, because there is no
upification of independent voters. II we
could unite 10, coo men in this state who
would.stand together and agree to vote
for only such candidates as can be de-
pended upon to faithfully perform The
duties of Office, we would have better
nominations than are generally made up
in the caucusss of today. Such body OF
men would be power in the community
that the political leaders would have to
recognize. "
MIR. Berry was unable to say how soon
the question Of the leagues branching out
will be decided. it all depends on the
success of the effort to secure a financial
backing.