The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-18
FOURTH DISTRICT LIBERALS.
HELD \ WARM MEETING WITH
SOME WARM POLITICAL REMARKS.

''TO the Nfctors belong the SpOiIS,'
Declared Mr.. L. A. LeOnard-AIr. II.
J. Davis Denies That He Promised
to Vote for Mr.. Os5Orne-Mr. John
1. MOrrissey Lines Up With the
Liberal CIub-Mr. COburn Charges
MIR. Osborne With Political Intimi-
datiOn.
The Fourth District Liberal Club had
a warm meeting last night. II was well
attended and the enthusiasm was pro-
nounced. Several speeches were made in
which the speakers did not mince matters
and statements were made which will
doubtless attract the attention of the OPP
position.
President Mcmillan being out of the
city, Vice President James McCosker pre-
sided. Ex-Alderman Krouskof was the
first speaker and he discussed the issue
which he made at the recent meeting of
the First District Liberal Club, advocat-
ing the abolition Of the fee system and
the placing of all county officials on sal
aries. The campaign, Mr. Krouskoff de-
clared should not be merely an expression
of preferences for men, but one of prin-
oiples as well. The Liberal Club, he de-
clared, had always stood for principle,
and for this reason he had introduced the
reform advocated by him before the club.
The reception which the club gave to
the plank suggested by Mr.. Krouskoff
was decidedly cold. There was not the
slightest ripple of applause at its an
nouncement, though Mr.. Krouskon was
literally applauded later when he spoke
of the good work of the Liberal club IN
the past and it's future prospects.
Referring to a recently published inter-
view with Col. Mercer, president Of the
Board of Education, to the effect that
more money was needed for the schools,
Mr.. Krouskoff declared that if the fee
system had been abolished and
the salary system introduced, Chat
ham county would have had in
the last five years $4,000 90 $780,
600 more in its treasury, which might have
been devoted to the public schools. The
principle, he said, is one which appeals
to the people at large. AS the principle
upon which the Liberal Club was founded
and continues to exist Is that Of the
greatest good for the greatest number 1t
could we'll afford. he said, to indorse this
issue
Another matter which is wrong in prin-
ciple Mr.. Krouskoff declared, is the pol
icy which has prevailed in the police
and fire departments, making the selec-
Of subordinates depend upon party ale
glance. This he declared, is entirely
wrong There should never be any ofh-
Ger in either department elected on ac-
count of political preferences" he declar-
ed. There should never be any promo
ton in these departments except from the
ranks, and the promotion should always
be in regular order" Appointments and
discharges for political reasons are en-
tirely wrong, he said.
Mr. e. A. Leonard was called for and
was received with lively applause. Mr..
Leonard begun by declaring that he was
no public speaker, and then proceeded 10
make a live political talk.
''rThe lines have been drawn and the
fight has begun" he said. I'VE will meet
at the polls on May Is. l am with you
because you are going to win. l have
always been with you and will be with
you forever" Mr. Leonard predicted that
after May Is next the Liberal star would
shine over the city for at least two years
more My political principle" he de-
clared, sis that to the victors belong the
spoils As sure as we go in the other
side will step out" The crowd endorsed
this statement with hearty applause.
Mr.. Leonard proceeded to arraign the
opposition for making political allegiance
a prerequisite to public employment and
then somewhat inconsistency declared
that "If we win the rewards will go to
there were good citizens of long residence
and ta- payers, who dared not go into the
City Exchange with their applications for
city employment because they had not vot-
ed the administration ticket in the last
election. He declared that it was a wrong
principle that because a man had voted
as he believed to be right or had expressed
his preference that he should be dlscTim-
mated against either In private or pubic
matters. These differences should all be
settled at the polls, he said, and the set
Element there should be final. He ex-
pressed the hope that those who will have
charge of the primary will see to it that
the secrecy of the ballot is guaranteed
and that the arrangement for the primary
may be such that no coercion of public
employees will be possible.
Mr.. John ]. Morrissey, who was In the
hall. responded to frequent calls, and
came to the front. He was warmly re-
ceived. Il have never made a political
speech" said Mr.. Morrissey. Il simply
want to tell you that l am with YOU heart
and soul and whatever I can do for YOU
in my humble way You can count on me
now and forever after" AS Mr.. Morrissey
had not always been of this way Of polt-
ical thinking his positive assertion was
quite acceptable to the meeting.
Mr.. w. S. Coburn responded to calls,
and congratulated the club upon its good
work. He was satisfied that the majority
as he had seen some very plain indica-
tions TO this effect. Mr.. Coburn said he
did not believe in eXpelling men from the
public service who had simply acted ac-
cordng to their honest views nor in
herding the city employees together TO
force them to vote the administration
ticket. Mr.. Coburn said he had il on good
authority that Mr.. w. w. Osborne had
stated to city empoye IF you vote
the Liberal Club ticket, or if ] ever see
you or any other city employe talking
with Liberal Club man l will have you
put down" Mr.. Osborne will doubtless
have something TO say in response to this
statement
Mr.. w. c. Hartridge was called for As
he was Preparing 60 respond, Mr. r. J.
Davis requested to be allowed moment
10 put himself right before the club. He
denied most emphatlcally that there WIS
any foundation for the statement made by
Col NJ. W. Dixon at recent Citizens
Club meeting that he had assured Mr.. Os-