Evening journal., 1901-08-28
RCfOrmerS Effected a Per.
manOnt Organization
ALFRED GAWTHROP CHAIRMAN
Alleged Misconduct Of Civ and
County Officials Is TO be
Looked Into

who are interested in the good govern
ment movement, met in the rooms of the
Democratic League. Fourth and King
streets, last night, and effected Derma-
ncnt organization whose object Is TO fer
ret out existing political evils.
More than 200 people in all walks OF life
were present and each seemed to take an
individual interest in the object OF the
gathering. At the opening of the meet
ing the committee previously appointed
TO inquire into the official acts Of County
Comptroller George ID. Kelley presented
the following resolutions, which were
adopted unanimously.
Resolved That i'm our opinion George
ID. Kelley, the County Comptroller is
guilty Of gross negligence, yes we may
say criminal negligence in the discharges
Of his official duties
Resolved That he has placed his Off
cial approval upon warrants, plainly in
violation Of law, aud in the opinion of
your committee he has betrayed his trust
and disregarded the hest interests Of the
people Of this county, which leads up 10
wastefulness and extravaganza. We be-
lieve he has made himself party TO the
schemes which results in the waste of the
peoples substance.
Resolved. That his official conduct and
actions should be investigated by the At
torncy- General Of this State, and the COM
mittee VIII assist the Attorney General in
any and every way possible
Resolved, That he has violated his
I oath and violated the law governing his
: official actions See act OF May 2s 1897.
volume 20, chapter 36S, Laws of Della
ware
) Resolved That we commend the ac-
tions and courage OF Merritt n. Willis
, and his associate Isaac S. Elliott. who
have so manfuly stood up for an honest
4 aud economical administration OF county
y finances In the face Of an unscrupuous
aud unprnciplcd combinations
David Lemon inquired Of the commit
tee why Mr. Kelley was picked out as the
one 10 repIimand and The Street and
Sewer Department not touched upon.
Former State Senator John Pyle OK
planned 10 Mr.. Lemon that the committees
considered Mr. Kelley's ease the keynote
OF the situation, and read from the law
covering the Comptrollers case. Upon
B motion Of Former Councilman William
D IL. Quinn, the Committee on Resolutions
was discharged
OAkAhtAHAlOn AAutclCu
The meeting then proceeded to effect
= permanent organization and Simon p.
Dougherty nominated Alfred Gawthrop
for president Mr. Gawthrop asked TO be
excused saying that although ne is
heartily in favor of the movement. ne is
no politician. He was prevailed upon.
however, TO accept and unanimously was
elected. William II. Kurtz was then
nominated for permanent secretary and
was also chosen by unanimous VOTE.
Before accepting Mr.. Kurtz made a
few remarks in which he set forth his
ideas Of the object Of such movement
as was now on foot. lie said that he re-
Gently had an opportunity TO study the
work Of n similar movement in Cleveland,
3 Ohio. and that from a mere handful il
! had grown TO such an extent that il now
holds the balance Of power in that city.
Mr. Kurtz said that there are many ru-
mors afloat Of corruption and mismanage-
ment in city affairs and there was fear
that the same state of affairs that exist
ia Philadelphia would be brought about
here He had nothing 60 say about the
Park and Water Commissions hut
thought that the Street and Sewer De-
partment has deteriorized.
I n
lnck In the hands of the people the right
10 elect the officers who shall administer
the affairs Of the city, for under the pres
ent system Council is shorn of an powers.
In bettering county affairs Mr.. kurtz
said the League could aid the Attorney
General in the investigation now being
made The idea of league should be To
embrace all classes of citizens regardless
Of politics, and make it strong enough 20
compel the political parties TO nominate
4 good, clean candidates.
Jerome b. Bell was chosen unanimous
, ly as vice-president and Howell 5. Eng
land as treasurer. On motion Of Mr..
England the chair was authorized to ap-
point a committee of nine whose duty it
: should be TO name fifty citizens TO act as
i an Executive Committee Of the Organiza-
/ tion.
Thomas f. O'Donnell made motion,
I, thanking three papers for their support in
. the movement but as it Disseminated
, against certain dailies 1t was not sec
onded and a motion TO extend thanks to
the entire press prevailed. The next
meeting will not be held in the League
, rooms but at a place to be decided upon
by the committee.