The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-28

a group of i'll disposed politicians whose
object is to get into power, to fleece
the people, and to entrench themselves
in offices as the guardians of our llo-
critics, our peace and happiness.
What is needed to-day in most of
our cities and counties in the United
States is a citizens league. Such a
body does not need to be very large,
but needs to be we'll selected. 1t should
be a representative body of the best
element from among all classes and
all parties. This league should be
strictly non-partisan. One hundred cit
liens in the city of Butte of moral
stamina, men in whom the community
has confidence as being true represen-
tatives of the higher life of the city
and state, will be power for righteous
ness. The purpose of such league,
as I have said before. is not partisan,
it is strictly non-partisan. Its great
mission should be to create and dis
seninate a sound public opinion on all
questions pertaining to the welfare of
the city, state and nation. The citi-
zens' league should hold meetings at
least once or twice in each month, in
which papers shall be read, addresses
delivered on the administration of city
and state government, by people capa-
BILE of handling these questions. It
should aim to interest rather than con-
denim all the officials in this great work
and to give it's appreciation in every at
tempt for the betterment of existing
government. Such discussions, by jul
dicious, wise and unbiased minds, are
sure to result in much good. They will
create a healthy public opinion, which
is more than one-half the battle. The
citizens league is to concentrate as
is were the gaze of the community
upon it's thoughts, its work and it's great
purpose. 1t will cause every council
man, every district attorney, every
judge on the bench, every member in
the legislature, every representative In
congress to feel that if he does wrong
he will be weighed in the balance
and will be found wanting.
The citizens league must also rec
ognize the press as one of the might
est agencies for moulding public opin-
ion. Its first strategic effort should be
to recognize the value of the press, and
to enlist it's influence in behalf of good
government and sound morals. The
press will be glad to give it it's hearty
support. If the city of Butte is to
be taken for an example, l wish to
say that l have never found newspa-
pers more ready, more willing to en-
body in their papers moral ideas, re-
ligiouS thought to recognize the moral
forces that make for the upbuilding of
the state, than do the papers in our
city.
Thus far have endeavored to bring
the thought before you that the great
work of the league should be to create
sound public opinion, to get the peo-
pie to thinking,
The American people, after all, like to
see fair play. If it can be shown that
certain officer has been negligent in his
duty, cowardly that he has unblushing-
ly winked at crime, his chances for re-
election will be slim. The Citizens
league shall also appeal to the con-
scianca and patriotism of the masses. 1t
will be no trouble to show that the OBJ
ject of government is not to protect
prostitution, to foster criminals. to have
contempt for law, to honor trickery and
fraud. to make itself an open ally of
lawlessness, debauchery and lcentious-
ness.
These things are disgraceful and hui
initiating. Cities that ought to be CEN
tiers of light have become centers of
darkness. We have startlingly deteri-
GRATED since the days of Washington. In
a land that boasts of the greatest civ
ilization, we pass by Daniel Websters,
so to speak, to represent us, and we ask
saloon keepers to govern us. Now the
business of the league shall be to bring