The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-13

Rev. DR. 7. j. Lansing, of the Green
Ridge Presbyterian church, last night
addressed the members Of the North
Scranton Mems society, and in the
course Of his remarks referred to the
work done by the neighboring Mems
union of Green Ridge. This latter or
ganization was organized in much the
same spirit as the North Scranton soci-
ETY. has been, and its work along the
lines of city reform and the formation
Of the Municipal league were subse-
quent outgrowths.
He told of some of the discoveries
which led up to the war on corrupt
government, and sent a Parthan shot
at the members of the board OF control,
by saying: while deliberatng about
and talking over local matters we
heard various things which brought us
face to face with the conditions exist
ing in this city. We heard of members
of the board of control making money
out of contracts. we heard that certain
members of the board had regular
tariff on teachers for whom they had
secured positions: we heard of text
books which had got into service by
bribery. We discussed this subject at
the time and we have not yet finished
with it,
THE SECOND MEETING.
Last nights session was the second
of this club, which was formed in Oc-
tober for the purpose of promoting
social and literary ends in North Scran-
ton. Sixty members are now enrolled,
and at each monthly meeting the MEM
bers will be addressed by some well
known speaker James r. Dubois, con-
sui general to Switzerland: Henry j.
Carr, of this city; Chief Of the United
States Weather Bureau Willis j.
Moore, and Henry Fuller, of Wilkes
Barre. are among those who will ad-
dress future meetings.
Last nights meeting was opened by
the singing of "Amerca' by all pres
ent. and then, after the routine work
OF the meeting was transacted, in the
course of which w. II. Richmond and
DR.. Henry Roberts We're unanimously
elected honorary members, President
Dolph e. Atherton delivered his inauS-
ural address and then introduced DIR.
Lansing.
DR.. Lansing declared that in city
of such constant growth as this, it
seemed to him that the citizens should
in some way be consolidated. He said
that unification seemed more prevalent
among baser men than among men OF
a higher stamp. and that it was a mat
ter for congratulation that an assem-
bly, of men such as he was ADDRESSING
had banded together.
1.-TWO years ago we had a course Of
public entertainments by means of
which we kept people at home and
made them think that Green Ridge
really amounted to something. While
discussing among ourselves city mat
ters, we did a little investigating and
We received reports of things which
took place down town nights.
FACED A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
when we heard such things we re-
allied that we were face to face with
q very serious question. And then last
winter,up sprang the Municipal league.
We secured man as special agent.
who will remain in our employ, too, a
man who has done more in the last six
months towards the eliminating of
illegal liquor establishments, and COM
pelling the licensed saloons to carry
out the law, than all the constabulary
and police of the city have done in the
last ten years.
DR.. Lansing here turned from the
discussion of local matters, and re-
marked upon an account he recently
read of the atrocities committed in
China by the German, French and
Russian soldery.
lie concluded his address by saying:
Il speak as fellow citizen.
and hope that the time will come
when clubs will be formed in every
ward of men who want no compensa-
tion or Office, but who will form the
nucleus of machine to destroy the
bosssm of this city, groups OF men
moved by a high public spirit who
will help to transform this condition
of which I have spoken.
IT hope you will be guided to pro-
eminent success and you can always
be assured of the cooperation Of your
neiahbors, the Green Ridges Mems
union.
The society's quartelte. j. A. John.
Howard Griffin, Floyd Heberlng and
Thomas Morgan sang several songs
during the evening. and at the close
OF the speeches n tasty luncheon was
Serve1