The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-13
PLATFORM
To Be Given General
Publicity.
ARE NOT SOCIALISTS
Citizens Independent Polit-
ical Club is Active.

The inclemency of the weather did
not affect the members of the Citizens
Independent Political club in the least
from turning out in large numbers yes
terday to attend a special meeting of
the club to elect committees and pro-
pose feasible plans TO circulate among
the voters of Worcester the doctrines
upheld by the club, so that no one
would be led to misunderstood its OBJ
jects. The meeting was held in Cen
trail Labor hall, and every seat was
taken at $50 o'clock, the time the meet
ing was called.
President Daniel Coogan presided and
the report of the last meeting was read
by Secretary William E. Banks His
report showed that several members of
the city government had been seen by
the members of the committee appoint
ed to perform such work, and each man
was thoroughly satisfied with the re-
ception given him when he broaohed
the subject OF the advancement of the
political club. The ward committees
made promising reports regarding
voters in the wards they have visited
Tor several Of them have signified their
Intention Of joining the club and stand
by its platform.
William e. Bank took the floor when
new business was ready to be trans
acted, and he said that he though it a
good Idea to have some member of the
club furnish list Of the voters of the
city OF Worcester, and then the men,
bers Of the different ward committees
could divide the work in paying each
Individual a visit. His suggestion was
met with favor and without a dissent
ing vote his motion was approved of,
and before the next meeting of the
club full list will be handed to the
committees. The discussion in regard
to canvas work occupied considerable
time among the debaters, relative to
what means would be the best to in
duce those who belonged to organiza-
lions that met in Labor hall to join
the club. It was finally decided to have
President Daniel Coogan and J. J. Nc
Crafty attend the different labor meet
ings, and when the business of the
evening had been finished for them to
make a speech in the interest of the
club, and what good could be derived
by those who would Join.
The true ideas Of the political club
have not been sifted by many voters of
the city who have taken an interest in
the club, and to make clear to all who
are In doubt it has been decided that
platform be drawn UP by committee
IN written form, and when completed
a copy be given to the newspapers of
the city. The committee appointed to
draw up the platform is President of
the Central Labor Union j. D. Pierce,
W. A. Rossley, Daniel F. Coogan, T. F.
Harney and ]. J. McGratty They will
get together at 81 Southbridge street
at 7.S0 O'Clock Wednesday night, and
make as much progress as possible to-
ward the completion of the doctrines
which are advocated by the members.
When the plan outlining the princi-
pies OF the party is finished, small
copies of them will be made and then
several members of the club will make
a thorough sweep Of the city and post
In conspicuous places the placards for
persons to read and become acquainted
with the real facts concerning the
movements of the club To do ward
work more carefully, the committee
which was appointed to see voters of
each ward, when they could, at the last
meeting was enlarged TO the number
~ AAN y VA CoSlA SOtI1lil-LtGG III GdCu warn
instead of two. Those who were elected
yesterday were d. ]. Foley OF ward 8,
Thomas Waters of ward and M. J. |
Mcfarland Of ward !. Others to fill
out the committees will be appointed
at the next meeting
The membership Of the club is on the
increase, and it bids fair to be a large
organization before many weeks have
passed. The president when seen af-
ter the meeting said that ne saw no
reason why the club should not secure
a stronghold in this city. The only
thing that has held the club back at
all is that everybody is not conversant
with what the clubs objects~are 1t has
Its fundamental basis but it has not
gone as yet to show to the public at
large what it intends to do, and when
1t does show the public what the club
is organized for they will surely think
well OF 1t, so Mr.. Coogan says. Mem
bers of the city government, according
to the reports of a committee appoint
ed to see them. seem to favor the clubs
ideas, and this will be a help toward
making others believe In it.
me club has not secured as members
all the members of the labor unions
OF the city, but 1t will not be a hard
proposition to get out and induce them
to join. as all they want is little
pushing in the matter, it is claimed.
When the club gets copies Of It's doc
trines in printed form circulated about
the city and into the newspapers, it
will enable it to more clearly convince
the populace that it is not advocating
socialism,, so its members declare
When the club was first formed"
said Mr.. Coogan, ct was advertised
by those who knew nothing whatever
about what we stand up for. It was
said we worked along The same lines
as do socialists, and it was a hard
thing to make people believe otherwise
at first. We have been successful to |
an extent in denying these rumors, and
hope to change the minds of those who
still cling to the thought that we are
preaching views of socialism"
The club has decided to have meet |
ings every Sunday afternoon instead of
Monday nights, as has been the Gus
tom, so that more persons can attend !
and keep the members in touch with |
one another.